Ben Holladay Rickhouse Proof Bourbon 750ML

Ben Holladay Rickhouse Proof Bourbon 750ML is a barrel-strength Missouri bourbon bottled at approximately 120.1 proof (60% ABV) with a minimum of six years of aging. This expression earned a Double Platinum medal at the ASCOT Awards and a 90-point rating from Distiller's Amanda Schuster, establishing it as one of the most decorated bourbons to come out of the Missouri River Valley.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~60% (120.1 proof, varies by batch)  |  Origin: Weston, Missouri, USA  |  Minimum 6 Years Aged  |  Distillery: Holladay Distillery

Production & Heritage

Holladay Distillery in Weston, Missouri, is one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries west of the Mississippi. The Rickhouse Proof expression uses a traditional mashbill of 73% corn, 15% rye, and 12% malted barley, distilled on an 18-inch diameter Vendome column still at 120 proof and entered into the barrel at 118 proof. Each batch is drawn from the original Holladay rickhouses after a minimum of six years and bottled at whatever proof the barrel yields — no water is added, meaning no two releases carry exactly the same proof. This approach delivers a full-strength, uncut snapshot of what the aging environment imparts to the spirit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with sweet toffee and brown sugar before layering in vanilla, sweet oak, and cinnamon. A second pass reveals burnt cherry, warm almonds, and threads of caramel rising through the barrel-proof heat.

Taste: The entry is rich and creamy, led by waves of toffee, vanilla, and burnt sugar cushioned by substantial oak char. Mid-palate, juicy orchard fruits emerge — apple and stone fruit — dusted with sweet baking spices. Toward the peak, peppercorn warmth and silky caramel fold into deeper notes of molasses, leather, and seasoned oak that add a drier, more tannic dimension.

Finish: Long and warming, with cinnamon and black pepper lingering alongside sweet oaken vanilla and butterscotch. The higher proof sustains the finish well, gradually drying out as oak tannins and baking spice take the final bow.

How to Drink Rickhouse Proof

Neat with a few drops of water is the ideal starting point — that small dilution opens the orchard fruit notes and softens the barrel-proof intensity without flattening the oak structure. A single large ice cube achieves a similar effect over time. For cocktails, this bourbon's proof and flavor density make it an excellent candidate for the following:

• Old Fashioned — the toffee-and-burnt-sugar core holds up against bitters and sweetener without losing definition.
• Boulevardier — its robust oak and spice stand toe-to-toe with Campari and sweet vermouth, creating a deeply layered drink.
• Hot Toddy — the cinnamon, caramel, and apple notes amplify beautifully with warm water, honey, and lemon during colder months.

Best For

• Bourbon collectors seeking barrel-proof releases outside of Kentucky
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values unique regional distilleries
• Side-by-side tastings comparing Missouri bourbon character to Kentucky standards
• After-dinner sipping on cool evenings when a high-proof, full-flavored dram is welcome

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Rickhouse Proof taste like? It leads with creamy toffee, vanilla, and burnt sugar, followed by juicy apple and stone fruit notes, then finishes with cinnamon, pepper, butterscotch, and seasoned oak tannins. The barrel-proof strength amplifies every layer, creating a rich and warming drinking experience.

How does Rickhouse Proof compare to Maker's Mark Cask Strength? Both are barrel-strength bourbons in a similar proof range, but Rickhouse Proof uses a rye-forward mashbill (15% rye) while Maker's Mark Cask Strength is a wheated bourbon. Reviewers note that Maker's fruit character leans toward cherry, while Holladay's tilts toward apple and stone fruit, with more pronounced oak tannin in the Rickhouse Proof.

Is Rickhouse Proof good for sipping neat? Yes — despite its approximately 120-proof strength, the rich toffee and fruit layers provide enough sweetness and complexity to reward patient, neat sipping. A few drops of water can help open the nose and soften the proof if needed.

Where is Rickhouse Proof made? It is produced at Holladay Distillery in Weston, Missouri, situated along the Missouri River Valley. The distillery is one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries west of the Mississippi.

What foods pair well with Rickhouse Proof? Smoked brisket complements the oak char and caramel sweetness. Pecan pie mirrors the toffee and brown sugar notes. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the bourbon's sweetness with savory depth. Apple crisp highlights the orchard fruit character, and dark chocolate with sea salt brings out the butterscotch finish.

What sizes does Rickhouse Proof come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Rickhouse Proof worth the price? Rickhouse Proof positions as a premium barrel-strength bourbon with a minimum six-year age statement, batch variation, and multiple award credentials including an ASCOT Double Platinum. Within the barrel-proof bourbon category, it represents a competitive value compared to similarly aged and proofed Kentucky expressions.

Why Rickhouse Proof?

What separates this bourbon from the crowded barrel-proof field is its uncompromising bottling philosophy — every batch is drawn directly from Holladay's own rickhouses at the proof the barrel produces, with no dilution and no standardization. That commitment earned it a Double Platinum at the ASCOT Awards and a Silver at the World Whiskies Awards. The combination of a corn-heavy, rye-spiced mashbill distilled on a Vendome column still and aged a minimum of six years in Missouri's dramatic seasonal swings produces a bourbon with serious oak influence, layered fruit, and a richness that punches well above its regional profile. For drinkers interested in what American whiskey looks like beyond Kentucky's borders, Rickhouse Proof is one of the strongest arguments Missouri has to offer.