Alexander James Bourbon 750ML

Alexander James Bourbon 750ML is a straight bourbon whiskey aged four years and bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV) in a 750ml bottle. Founded in 2021 by Jesse Steward Jr., this Black-owned American bourbon brand draws its name from Steward's son and honors a multigenerational tradition of storytelling over whiskey.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Illinois, United States  |  4-Year Straight Bourbon  |  Distillery: Two Eagles Distillery

Production & Heritage

Alexander James is distilled at Two Eagles Distillery in Mount Prospect, Illinois. The liquid spends four years maturing in charred American white oak barrels, meeting the legal requirements of a straight bourbon designation with meaningful wood contact. Jesse Steward Jr. launched the brand inspired by his two grandfathers—who were lifelong best friends—and their habit of sharing family history over a glass of bourbon, channeling that narrative into a label that carries his son's first and middle name.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Warm vanilla and caramel open the nose, followed by toasted oak and a gentle sweetness characteristic of charred American white oak maturation. The bouquet is inviting without being aggressive.

Taste: The entry is soft, with brown sugar and light baking spice arriving on the mid-palate. Vanilla and oak tannins build gradually, giving the bourbon a balanced, approachable structure without excessive heat at 90 proof.

Finish: Medium in length with a smooth, warm fade. Lingering notes of oak and mild caramel round out the experience cleanly.

How to Drink Alexander James

At 90 proof, Alexander James drinks comfortably neat or with a single large ice cube that opens up additional sweetness as it dilutes. Its balanced profile also makes it a reliable cocktail bourbon. An Old Fashioned lets the vanilla and oak character anchor the drink with minimal competition. A Whiskey Sour benefits from the bourbon's brown sugar sweetness, which balances citrus without being overpowered. A Boulevardier pairs the soft caramel notes against Campari's bitterness for a smooth, layered drink.

Best For

• Supporting Black-owned spirits brands with a quality straight bourbon
• Gifting to someone building a craft bourbon collection
• Introducing a newer bourbon enthusiast to small-batch American whiskey
• Mixing approachable, well-structured cocktails at home

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Alexander James taste like? Alexander James delivers a profile centered on vanilla, brown sugar, and toasted oak with mild baking spice, finishing smoothly without excessive burn despite its 90-proof strength.

How does Alexander James compare to Buffalo Trace? Both are approachable, moderately priced straight bourbons, though Alexander James is aged a stated four years in charred American white oak while Buffalo Trace carries no age statement and is bottled at a slightly lower 90 proof (45% ABV) as well. Alexander James comes from a small Illinois-based operation, giving it a craft-distillery character versus Buffalo Trace's large-scale Kentucky production.

Is Alexander James good for sipping neat? Yes—its 90-proof bottling strength and four years of oak maturation produce enough depth for neat sipping while remaining smooth and accessible for those who prefer a gentler bourbon.

Where is Alexander James made? Alexander James Bourbon is produced at Two Eagles Distillery in Mount Prospect, Illinois. The brand was founded in 2021 by Jesse Steward Jr. and is distilled and aged entirely in the United States.

What foods pair well with Alexander James? Smoked brisket complements the bourbon's oak-driven character. Dark chocolate enhances its caramel sweetness. Pecan pie echoes the brown sugar and vanilla notes. Aged cheddar contrasts the soft tannins with savory richness. Grilled peaches bring out the underlying fruit sweetness in the spirit.

What sizes does Alexander James come in? Alexander James Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Alexander James worth the price? Alexander James positions as an accessible straight bourbon with a four-year age statement and craft-distillery provenance, placing it in the entry-to-mid-level price tier where it competes favorably with other aged bourbons that carry similar specifications.

Why Alexander James?

In a bourbon market flooded with non-age-stated releases, Alexander James leads with a transparent four-year age statement and a clear origin story tied to Two Eagles Distillery in Illinois. As a Black-owned bourbon brand launched in 2021, it occupies a still-underrepresented space in American whiskey. The charred American white oak aging produces a genuinely balanced spirit that works across neat pours and cocktails without leaning on gimmicks. For drinkers who value knowing exactly what is in their glass and who made it, Alexander James delivers straightforward provenance at an approachable proof.