Hirsch The Horizon Bourbon 750ML

Hirsch The Horizon Bourbon 750ML is a 92-proof (46% ABV) straight bourbon whiskey blended from two distinct MGP mashbills in a 750ml bottle. This expression earned a Gold Medal from the Beverage Testing Institute in 2020 and a 92-point rating from Tastings.com, distinguishing it as one of the more critically recognized sourced bourbons in its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46% (92 Proof)  |  Origin: Lawrenceburg, Indiana, USA  |  Straight Bourbon, Minimum 4 Years  |  Distillery: MGP (Sourced)

Production & Heritage

The Horizon is sourced from MGP's Lawrenceburg, Indiana distillery, one of the most prolific contract distillers in American whiskey. What separates this bourbon from many other MGP-sourced releases is the brand's unusual transparency: each batch lists exact blend percentages, mashbills, and age statements directly on the back label. The current blend marries 94% of MGP's traditional bourbon mashbill (75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley) aged a minimum of four years with 6% of a high-rye mashbill (60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley) aged six or more years. That secondary high-rye component, while a small fraction, contributes a noticeable spice thread that lifts the bourbon beyond a straightforward corn-forward profile. Non-chill filtered and bottled at a sturdy 92 proof, The Horizon delivers more intensity than many competitors at similar price points.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet cornbread opens the nose, followed by layers of vanilla and caramel. Deeper sniffs reveal light tobacco and warm custard undertones.

Taste: The entry is smooth with familiar caramel and vanilla forming a rich base. Mid-palate, rye spices emerge — cinnamon and clove — mingling with fruit-forward notes of citrus zest and black cherry. Oak tannins arrive at the peak, adding structure without bitterness.

Finish: The finish runs long and warm, with lingering sweetness balanced by a dry oak backbone. Faint cinnamon spice and a whisper of dark fruit carry through to the close.

How to Drink The Horizon

At 92 proof, The Horizon drinks well neat or with a single ice cube that opens up the fruit and custard notes without diluting the rye spice. It also performs strongly in cocktails where bourbon needs to hold its own against other ingredients.

• Old Fashioned: The cinnamon-and-cherry character plays naturally with bitters and a sugar cube, requiring little embellishment.
• Boulevardier: The high-rye spice cuts through sweet vermouth and Campari, keeping the drink balanced and lively.
• Whiskey Sour: Citrus notes already present in the bourbon amplify the lemon juice, while the vanilla base adds body to the cocktail's texture.

Best For

• Bourbon drinkers who value label transparency and want to know exactly what they're drinking
• Building a home bar with a versatile, cocktail-ready straight bourbon
• Exploring MGP-sourced whiskey alongside brands like Smoke Wagon and Old Elk for comparison
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates proof-forward, small-batch blends

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Horizon taste like? Hirsch The Horizon leads with classic bourbon sweetness — caramel, vanilla, and cornbread — then shifts toward rye-driven spice with cinnamon, clove, and black cherry, finishing long with warm oak.

How does The Horizon compare to Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon? Both are MGP-sourced straight bourbons, but The Horizon is bottled at a slightly lower 92 proof versus Smoke Wagon's 92.5 proof. The Horizon's disclosed blend of two mashbills gives it a more pronounced fruit and spice complexity, while Smoke Wagon tends to lean heavier on classic caramel and grain notes.

Is The Horizon good for sipping neat? Yes — at 46% ABV it sits in the sweet spot between approachable and flavorful, delivering enough proof to carry its oak and spice without excessive heat.

Where is The Horizon made? Hirsch The Horizon is distilled at MGP's facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, one of the largest and most respected contract distilleries in the United States, known for producing bourbon and rye whiskey for dozens of brands.

What foods pair well with The Horizon? Smoked brisket benefits from the bourbon's oak and spice; dark chocolate mirrors its caramel sweetness; sharp aged cheddar contrasts the vanilla notes; pecan pie echoes the corn-forward base; and grilled stone fruit like peaches amplifies The Horizon's cherry and citrus character.

What sizes does The Horizon come in? Hirsch The Horizon is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is The Horizon worth the price? The Horizon positions as a mid-range straight bourbon that punches above its weight thanks to a higher-than-standard 92 proof, a blended dual-mashbill recipe, and full batch transparency — qualities typically found in more expensive releases.

Why The Horizon?

In a crowded field of MGP-sourced bourbons, Hirsch The Horizon distinguishes itself through radical transparency, printing exact mashbill ratios, blend percentages, and age statements on every bottle — a practice few competitors match. Its Gold Medal from the Beverage Testing Institute and 92-point Tastings.com score confirm that the liquid inside justifies the label detail. The dual-mashbill blend delivers a more layered drinking experience than single-recipe bourbons at comparable price points, with the small percentage of six-year-plus high-rye whiskey threading spice and fruit through an otherwise classic bourbon profile. For anyone seeking a well-documented, proof-forward bourbon that works equally well neat or in cocktails, The Horizon delivers substance over marketing.