Blanco, Texas-based Milam & Greene just introduced Unabridged Volume 1, a new limited-edition, literary-themed blend of straight bourbon whiskeys. To make it happen, Milam & Greene CEO Heather Green enlisted David Wondrich and Noah Rothbaum, spirits experts and co-authors of the Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails. Together, they tasted numerous whiskey samples to create the final blend.
The final makeup features bourbons that were made in three different states—Texas, Kentucky, and Tennessee. This is nothing new for Milam & Greene, as blended bourbons are a core part of their portfolio, with spirits like Triple Cask Straight Bourbon and Port Finished Straight Rye.
In this case, the distillery drew upon their library of casks aging in their Texas warehouses. Thirty-eight barrels were used to create Unabridged Volume 1, with ages that range from just under three years to 14 years old. The bourbon is bottled at 118.3 proof.
During a virtual tasting, Greene said that she typically makes delicate whiskeys with finesse and elegance, and most products from Milam & Greene are not cask-strength. With Unabridged Volume 1, you quickly note the higher proof and strength, but it still adheres to the brand’s house style.
Diving into the glass, the whiskey is complex and spicy. It softens on the mid-palate, where toasted oak, chocolate, coffee, and orange notes make themselves known. It’s rich and chewy and finishes with dark fruits and oak spice. Adding a drop of water releases a cookie-like quality, with hints of almonds and cinnamon.
If you’d like to score a bottle of Milam & Greene Unabridged Volume 1, you can find it at select retailers across the U.S., online, and via Flaviar for a suggested price of $89.99.
