Back in April, Tracie and I took a “spring break” trip to Dillard, Georgia. We stayed at the Dillard House based on recommendations from friends. Adjacent to the property is a small distillery called R. M. Rose. They offered tours of the facility and we accepted the invitation. Andy spent a good deal of time telling us about the history of the brand, how they came to owning the rights to it and the process that took them to this point.
We then went in the back and learned the process of making the whiskey and watched as it was transferred to the barrels.
Then the fun began! We went back inside the store and spent a little time tasting some of their blends. To be fair, I am not a huge fan of blended whiskey like Fire on the Mountain and the others. but they tasted good and were smooth as silk.
Our conversation of course migrated to firearms and even mobile phone providers. All they needed was a wood burning stove and a few chairs and it would have been perfect!!!
Then Andy went behind the counter. “Would you like to have a little taste of our bourbon? It’s not bottled yet.” Me? Want a taste of some bourbon? Silly question.
So Andy went behind the counter and brought out a tiny bottle of brown liquid. About the size of an 8oz soda bottle. Poured a little out for me and smiled as he handed it to me.
I was blown AWAY! You could taste the charred oak and the hint of Rye. Neither were overpowering and just enough to linger after you finished it. No burn, no snort. Just smooth easy going bourbon.
I am a huge fan of true bourbon. Not Jack Daniels of Jim Bean. TRUE bourbon. Most of which comes from Kentucky and Tennessee. But I have to tell you. Short of a $1500 dollar bottle of Pappy’s. THIS STUFF IS SOME OF THE BEST I HAVE EVER TASTED.
Fast forward to mid-August. I messaged Andy and the crew to find out when the bourbon would be ready. They were waiting on the labels to be approved. 3 weeks or so. So, on October 6th I messaged them again. “Come on down! We’ve got plenty ready to go!” WOOT!
Tracie and I planned our Fall trip to take us through Dillard, Georgia. Saturday I picked up two bottles of their small batch single barrel bourbon. Can’t wait to break the seal on one and share it with my bourbon loving friend Dave McCoy of Load Up Ammunition.
