Jefferson's Wood Experiment Collection

Jefferson's Wood Experiment Collection

The principal author of the Declaration of Independence and one of the greatest Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson was elected the third President of the United States in 1800. During his tenure, Jefferson authorized the purchase of the Louisiana Territory, dispatched Lewis and Clark westward to explore the remainder of the continent and repealed the Whisky Excise Tax. After Jefferson retired from public office in 1815, he often tended to the garden that he had cultivated on his Monticello estate. At the time, it was customary for wealthy farmers, including Jefferson, to distill the excess grains they harvested from their farms into spirits (George Washington was one of the country's largest distillers of rye whiskey). As a result, each farmer's spirits were unique and reflected the local terroir of their farm. The Jefferson's brand pays homage to Jefferson and the exquisite whiskey he distilled. Founded in 1997, Jefferson's is the brainchild of Trey Zoeller and his father Chet, a famed bourbon historian. Continuing a family tradition that dates as far back as the 18th century -when Trey's 8th generation grandmother was arrested in 1799 for the production and sales of spirituous liquors. Generations later, the father-son duo chose to personify the brand in the spirit of Thomas Jeffersonwho was renown his curious nature and love of experimentation. Jeffersons is constantly expanding their horizons with new and innovative ways of looking at whiskey, and how it interacts with wood. At this intersection of art and experimentation, lies inspiration. The Wood Experimental Collection was inspired by an enlightening trip to a wine cooperage in Missouri. Wine barrels are almost exclusively toasted oak, as opposed to bourbon's charred, brand-new barrels, which yield a high-oak flavor profile. This is what inspired Trey Zoeller to embark on an experimental journey with a 4-year-old bourbon, aging it in new charred white oak barrels, and finishing it in 13 different environments/vessels. "Over a period of 32 months, we charted the characteristics of each experiment monthly and analyzed how the different treatments have affected the outcome of the final whiskey (producer). This selection features five of the 13 small batch experimental bourbon whiskeys: #3, #4, #6, #10, and #12, each vessel imparting a distinct and intriguing character onto the spirit. Wood exp. no.3 was finished in new 60-gallon American oak barrels with a low, deep impact toast profile. Wood exp. no.4 was finished in a new standard whiskey barrel with medium char, infused with heavily charred American oak cubes. Wood exp. no.6 was finished in a new standard whiskey barrel with a light-medium char, infused with lightly toasted American oak staves. Wood exp. no.10 is finished in a hybrid 60 gallon French and American barrel with a low, deep impact toast profile. Wood exp. no.12 is finished in an original bourbon barrel, with toasted oak inserts.