Collins Bourbon Cherries 11OZ

Collins Bourbon Cherries 11OZ are premium cocktail cherries soaked in Heritage Distilling's award-winning BSB Brown Sugar Bourbon, sold in an 11-ounce jar. The bourbon at the heart of this garnish was named World's Best Flavoured Whisky by Whisky Magazine in both 2018 and 2019, lending these cherries a distinctive warmth that most competitors cannot match.

Quick Facts: Size: 11 oz  |  Bourbon Used: Heritage BSB (30% ABV / 60 Proof)  |  Bourbon Origin: Gig Harbor, Washington  |  Brand: Collins

Production & Heritage

Collins sources Heritage Distilling Co.'s BSB—Brown Sugar Bourbon—as the soaking spirit for these cherries. Heritage Distilling, based in Gig Harbor, Washington, has been recognized by the American Distilling Institute as the most awarded craft distillery in North America for ten consecutive years. BSB itself is distilled from a corn, rye, and malted barley mashbill, barreled at under 125 proof in new American oak charred barrels, and finished with a proprietary brown sugar and cinnamon infusion that gives these cherries a flavor profile far removed from the standard maraschino.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Warm brown sugar and cinnamon rise from the jar first, followed by a subtle bourbon sweetness and a faint note of vanilla. The scent is richer and more layered than typical cocktail cherries.

Taste: On the palate, the cherries deliver a clear bourbon character—vanilla, light oak, and a caramel-like sweetness from the brown sugar infusion. Midway through, cinnamon spice emerges and adds complexity without overwhelming the fruit. The cherry itself is large, firm, and relatively neutral in sweetness, which allows the bourbon flavors to lead.

Finish: A gentle warmth lingers from the cinnamon and bourbon, tapering off with soft vanilla. The texture holds up well—no mushiness—leaving a clean, spiced impression.

How to Use Collins Bourbon Cherries

Drop one or two directly into a stirred cocktail or use as a finishing garnish on a skewer. Their firm texture and bold bourbon-spice flavor stand up to strong, spirit-forward drinks far better than conventional maraschinos.

• Old Fashioned: The cinnamon and brown sugar notes mirror the drink's traditional sugar element, tying the cocktail together.
• Manhattan: The bourbon-soaked fruit reinforces the whiskey base and adds a spiced counterpoint to sweet vermouth.
• Whiskey Sour: A garnish cherry with real bourbon backbone complements the citrus and keeps the presentation elevated.

Best For

• Upgrading a home bar's garnish selection beyond basic maraschinos
• Gifting to a cocktail enthusiast building a premium bar cart
• Hosting whiskey-focused tasting parties where presentation matters
• Finishing desserts like bourbon-spiked ice cream sundaes or dark chocolate pairings

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Collins Bourbon Cherries taste like? They have a pronounced bourbon warmth accented by cinnamon and brown sugar, with vanilla undertones from the oak-aged BSB spirit. The cherry itself is large, firm, and neutral enough to let the bourbon character dominate.

How do Collins Bourbon Cherries compare to Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cherries? Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cherries use a classic straight bourbon profile and lean toward traditional dark cherry sweetness. Collins Bourbon Cherries distinguish themselves with the cinnamon-and-brown-sugar signature of Heritage BSB, resulting in a spicier, more dessert-forward garnish.

Are Collins Bourbon Cherries good for cocktails? They are specifically designed for cocktails and hold up well in strong, spirit-forward drinks like Manhattans and Old Fashioneds thanks to their firm texture and bold flavor.

Where are Collins Bourbon Cherries made? Collins Bourbon Cherries are made using BSB Brown Sugar Bourbon from Heritage Distilling Co., which is based in Gig Harbor, Washington. Heritage distills and barrels the bourbon on-site in new American oak charred barrels.

What foods pair well with Collins Bourbon Cherries? They complement vanilla ice cream as a bourbon-spiked topping, pair naturally with dark chocolate truffles, work well on a charcuterie board alongside aged cheddar and smoked meats, and add depth to pecan pie or bread pudding.

What sizes do Collins Bourbon Cherries come in? The standard retail size is the 11-ounce jar, which provides enough cherries for numerous cocktails.

Are Collins Bourbon Cherries worth the price? They position as a premium cocktail garnish, priced above standard maraschino cherries but justified by the use of an award-winning bourbon and a more complex flavor profile that elevates finished drinks.

Why Collins Bourbon Cherries?

The defining advantage here is the bourbon itself. Heritage Distilling's BSB is not a generic whiskey; it earned World's Best Flavoured Whisky honors from Whisky Magazine two years running, and that quality translates directly into the garnish jar. The cinnamon and brown sugar infusion in BSB sets these cherries apart from competitors that rely on straightforward bourbon character alone. For anyone building cocktails where every ingredient needs to earn its place, this is a garnish with genuine depth rather than just sweetness.