Milam & Greene Very Small Batch Bourbon 750ML

Milam & Greene Very Small Batch Bourbon 750ML is a 108-proof (54% ABV) blended bourbon finished with charred French oak staves, released in limited runs twice per year. This expression earned 95 points from Wine Enthusiast and took Best in Show out of 550 entrants at the 2021 American Craft Spirits Association competition, cementing its reputation as one of Texas's most acclaimed whiskeys.

Quick Facts: ABV: 54% (108 Proof)  |  Origin: Blanco, Texas Hill Country  |  Blended Bourbon  |  Distillery: Milam & Greene

Production & Heritage

Milam & Greene operates out of Blanco in the Texas Hill Country, where head distiller and blender Heather Greene draws on sourced and house-made stocks to build each release. Very Small Batch combines 80% Tennessee bourbon (mashbill: 80% corn, 10% rye, 10% malted barley) with 20% Kentucky bourbon (mashbill: 70% corn, 22% malted rye, 8% malted barley). What truly distinguishes this bottling is the finishing process: French oak staves previously used for tawny port wine and Milam & Greene rye whiskey are "cooked" through the punishing 100-degree Texas summer sun, then house-charred, bundled, and steeped in the bourbon for approximately two weeks. The result is a depth of flavor that reflects both the quality of the base whiskeys and the resourcefulness of the finishing technique.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Luscious caramel leads immediately, followed by warm vanilla, candied pecans, and a thread of tobacco leaf. A drop of water opens up subtle red fruit and cocoa powder underneath.

Taste: The entry is rich with corn sweetness and dried figs that build into a creamy mid-palate of cooked bananas and honeydew. As the proof asserts itself, tangerine citrus and cedar staves emerge alongside light nutmeg and roasted almonds, adding layered complexity that rewards slow sipping.

Finish: Long and warming, with charred oak tannins and lingering cocoa that gradually fade into a sweet, almost port-like dried fruit note. The French oak influence is most apparent here, adding a velvety texture uncommon at this proof.

How to Drink Very Small Batch

At 108 proof, this bourbon stands up beautifully neat but also rewards a few drops of water, which coax out the red fruit and cocoa undertones noted by Wine Enthusiast. It holds its own on the rocks without losing structure.

• Old Fashioned: The concentrated caramel and cedar character cuts through bitters and sweetener with authority at barrel-strength proof.
• Boulevardier: Dried fig and port-influenced oak complement Campari's bitterness and sweet vermouth's herbal spice.
• Gold Rush: Honey syrup and fresh lemon amplify the bourbon's tangerine citrus and pecan sweetness into a bright, balanced cocktail.

Best For

• Bourbon collectors seeking limited twice-yearly Texas releases
• Gifting to whiskey enthusiasts who appreciate barrel-proof expressions
• Side-by-side tastings exploring multi-state bourbon blending
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a cigar

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Very Small Batch taste like? It leads with rich caramel, candied pecans, and dried figs before developing tangerine citrus, cedar, and cocoa powder. The French oak port-stave finish adds a distinctive velvety dried-fruit sweetness at a robust 108 proof.

How does Very Small Batch compare to Maker's 46 Cask Strength? Both are high-proof bourbons finished with proprietary wood staves, but Milam & Greene uses French oak staves seasoned from tawny port and rye whiskey casks rather than Maker's seared French oak staves. Reviewers have specifically recommended Very Small Batch to fans of Maker's 46 Cask Strength who want a more fruit-forward, port-influenced profile.

Is Very Small Batch good for sipping neat? Yes — despite 108 proof, the French oak finishing adds enough sweetness and texture to make it approachable neat, and a few drops of water reveal additional red fruit and cocoa complexity.

Where is Very Small Batch made? Milam & Greene blends and finishes this bourbon at their distillery in Blanco, Texas Hill Country, using sourced Kentucky and Tennessee bourbon stocks. The French oak staves are charred on-site and exposed to the extreme Texas summer heat as part of the finishing process.

What foods pair well with Very Small Batch? Pecan pie mirrors the bourbon's candied nut character. Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and dried fig notes. Smoked brisket stands up to the 108-proof intensity. Aged Gouda echoes the caramel sweetness. Fig and prosciutto crostini play off the port-influenced fruit tones.

What sizes does Very Small Batch come in? Milam & Greene Very Small Batch Bourbon is available in the standard 750ML bottle.

Is Very Small Batch worth the price? It positions as a premium craft bourbon, and the 95-point Wine Enthusiast score plus Best in Show at the 2021 ACSA competition suggest strong value relative to other barrel-proof finished bourbons in the same tier.

Why Very Small Batch?

The defining move here is the French oak stave finishing — staves pulled from tawny port and rye whiskey casks, baked in the Texas summer heat, house-charred, and steeped directly in the bourbon. That process layers port-wine fruit and toasted oak complexity onto an already well-constructed blend of Kentucky and Tennessee stocks. The 95-point Wine Enthusiast rating and Best in Show from 550 entries at the 2021 American Craft Spirits Association validate what the liquid delivers: a barrel-proof bourbon with genuine depth that goes beyond the typical craft-distillery release. Limited to two batches per year, each release offers a snapshot of Milam & Greene's evolving blending and finishing program in the Texas Hill Country.