Traverse City Whiskey Michigan Apple Bourbon 750ML

Traverse City Whiskey Michigan Apple Bourbon 750ML is an apple-infused bourbon whiskey bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml format, produced in Traverse City, Michigan. This expression earned a Gold Medal from RatingLiquor.com, and the distillery behind it was voted the No. 6 whiskey distillery in the United States in a USA Today 10Best readers' poll.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof)  |  Origin: Traverse City, Michigan, USA  |  Style: Apple-Infused Bourbon  |  Distillery: Traverse City Whiskey Co.

Production & Heritage

Traverse City Whiskey Co. was founded in Traverse City, Michigan — a region long celebrated for its apple and cherry orchards along the shores of Lake Michigan. The Michigan Apple Bourbon is made by infusing straight bourbon whiskey with three kinds of early-season apples sourced from local Traverse City orchards, lending a crisp, authentic fruit character rather than an artificial sweetness. According to founder Chris Fredrickson, the whiskey spends the majority of its aging time in Traverse City's distinctive northern Michigan climate, where sharp temperature swings between seasons contribute to the bourbon's interaction with the barrel.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with caramel apple and warm cinnamon, followed by a layer of rye bread and honeydew melon. A touch of baking spices lingers underneath, anchoring the fruit-forward aromatics.

Taste: On the palate, the entry is bright with sweet and tart apple, immediately balanced by rye spice and a gentle grain backbone. The mid-palate develops into caramel apple accents with peppery warmth, while honeydew and cinnamon weave through toward the peak. The interplay between fruit sweetness and bourbon structure keeps the flavor from tipping into cloying territory.

Finish: The finish is medium in length, clean, and slightly minty with residual apple fruit. Subtle grain and baking spice notes fade gradually, leaving a dry, refreshing close.

How to Drink Michigan Apple Bourbon

Served neat or over a single large ice cube, the apple character brightens as the bourbon opens up, making it approachable without dilution becoming necessary. This expression also shines in cocktails:

• Apple Old Fashioned — The natural apple infusion replaces the need for apple liqueur, keeping the drink balanced and less sweet.
• Whiskey Sour — The tart apple and rye spice play well against fresh lemon juice, creating a layered citrus-and-fruit profile.
• Hot Toddy — Cinnamon and honey notes in the bourbon complement warm water and lemon during colder months.

Best For

• Introducing bourbon-curious drinkers to whiskey through an approachable, fruit-forward flavor
• Autumn cocktail menus and seasonal entertaining
• Gifting to someone who enjoys flavored spirits with genuine craft credentials
• After-dinner sipping alongside desserts featuring apple, caramel, or cinnamon

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Michigan Apple Bourbon taste like? It delivers a balance of sweet and tart apple flavors layered over a bourbon base of caramel, rye spice, cinnamon, and honeydew, finishing clean with a hint of mint and grain.

How does Michigan Apple Bourbon compare to Jim Beam Apple? Traverse City's version uses three varieties of real early-season Michigan apples for infusion, resulting in a more orchard-fresh, tart character versus the sweeter, apple-liqueur profile typical of Jim Beam Apple. The Michigan Apple Bourbon also carries more noticeable rye spice and grain complexity on the palate.

Is Michigan Apple Bourbon good for cocktails? Its natural apple infusion and 80-proof strength make it a strong cocktail base, particularly in an Apple Old Fashioned or Whiskey Sour, where the fruit adds complexity without excess sweetness.

Where is Michigan Apple Bourbon made? It is produced by Traverse City Whiskey Co. in Traverse City, Michigan, a northern Michigan town in the Grand Traverse region known for its fruit orchards and Lake Michigan shoreline climate.

What foods pair well with Michigan Apple Bourbon? Sharp cheddar cheese highlights the bourbon's tart apple notes; pork chops with apple chutney mirror the fruit and spice; pecan pie or apple crisp complement the caramel and cinnamon character; smoked turkey benefits from the whiskey's peppery finish; and dark chocolate with sea salt contrasts the sweetness.

What sizes does Michigan Apple Bourbon come in? The standard and most widely available format is the 750ml bottle.

Is Michigan Apple Bourbon worth the price? It positions as an accessible, mid-range flavored bourbon that uses real Michigan orchard apples rather than artificial flavoring, offering genuine craft production value within the flavored whiskey category.

Why Michigan Apple Bourbon?

What separates this expression from the crowded field of apple-flavored whiskeys is its use of three distinct early-season apple varieties sourced from orchards in Traverse City's Grand Traverse region — one of America's most productive fruit-growing areas. The bourbon's aging in northern Michigan's climate, with its extreme seasonal shifts, adds a dimension of barrel interaction that temperate-climate aging does not replicate. A Gold Medal from RatingLiquor.com and the distillery's recognition as the No. 6 whiskey distillery in the U.S. by USA Today readers reinforce that this is a flavored bourbon taken seriously by both critics and consumers. For drinkers who want apple character rooted in real fruit rather than syrup, this remains one of the most credible options in the category.