Detroit City Butcher's Cut Bourbon 750ML

Detroit City Butcher's Cut Bourbon 750ML is a 100-proof (50% ABV) double-barreled Michigan bourbon finished in smoked northern oak from Clinton County. This bold expression earned consecutive Double Gold medals at the 2022 and 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a remarkable streak for a craft distillery operating outside traditional bourbon country.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Michigan, United States  |  Style: Double-Barreled Bourbon  |  Distillery: Detroit City Distillery

Production & Heritage

Detroit City Distillery produces Butcher's Cut using a high-rye mashbill of 68% corn, 27% rye, and 5% specialty roasted barley malts — an unusual grain bill that substitutes roasted barley for the more conventional malted barley found in most bourbons. The whiskey first matures in new, charred American oak barrels before undergoing a second aging in hand-smoked northern Michigan oak sourced from Clinton County. This double-barreling process in regionally smoked wood is the defining production step, layering campfire-like smokiness onto the underlying bourbon character in a way that distinguishes it from standard double-oaked releases.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Toasted pecan and warm caramel arrive first, followed by a gentle wave of wood smoke and a hint of roasted grain. The nose is inviting without being overly aggressive despite the 100-proof strength.

Taste: The entry is rich with vanilla and candied almonds, quickly giving way to a mid-palate dominated by smoked oak. The high rye proportion pushes through with building spice, while the roasted barley malt lends a subtle toasted-bread quality that deepens the body considerably.

Finish: Long and layered, with orange peel and pink peppercorn lingering alongside residual smoke. The finish dries gently, leaving a warm spice trail that recalls the rye-forward grain bill.

How to Drink Butcher's Cut

At 100 proof, Butcher's Cut rewards neat sipping but also holds up well with a single large ice cube, which tempers the smoke and opens up the pecan and caramel sweetness. Its smoky profile and high proof make it a compelling cocktail base in three specific builds: an Old Fashioned, where the smoked oak amplifies the bitters and sugar interplay; a Boulevardier, where the bourbon's spice and smoke stand up to Campari's bitterness; and a Manhattan, where the rye-heavy mashbill and pink peppercorn finish complement sweet vermouth naturally.

Best For

• Bourbon drinkers exploring Michigan's craft distilling scene
• Gifting to someone who appreciates smoke-forward whiskey without reaching for Scotch
• Pairing alongside smoked meats at a barbecue or cookout
• Adding a distinctive bottle to a home bar focused on high-proof American whiskey

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Butcher's Cut taste like? Butcher's Cut delivers a rich combination of vanilla, candied almonds, and smoked oak on the palate, finishing with orange peel and pink peppercorn spice. The 100-proof strength carries a noticeable warmth, while the double-barreled smoke gives it a character uncommon among bourbons.

How does Butcher's Cut compare to Woodford Reserve Double Oaked? Both are double-barreled bourbons, but Butcher's Cut uses hand-smoked Michigan oak for its second barrel rather than a second charred oak barrel, resulting in a distinctly smoky profile that Woodford Reserve Double Oaked does not share. Butcher's Cut also runs higher at 100 proof compared to Woodford Reserve Double Oaked's 90.4 proof, giving it more intensity on the palate.

Is Butcher's Cut good for sipping neat? Yes — the 100-proof strength is robust but well-balanced by the caramel sweetness and layered smoke, making it a satisfying neat pour for drinkers comfortable with barrel-proof and high-proof bourbons.

Where is Butcher's Cut made? Butcher's Cut is produced by Detroit City Distillery in Michigan. The smoked oak barrels used for double-barreling are sourced from northern Michigan's Clinton County.

What foods pair well with Butcher's Cut? Smoked brisket or pulled pork mirrors the bourbon's oak smoke character. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts nicely with the caramel and vanilla sweetness. Pecan pie echoes the nutty nose notes. Dark chocolate with sea salt highlights the pink peppercorn spice on the finish. Grilled stone fruit, such as peaches, bridges the bourbon's sweetness and smoke.

What sizes does Butcher's Cut come in? Butcher's Cut is available in the standard 750ML bottle size.

Is Butcher's Cut worth the price? Butcher's Cut positions as a premium craft bourbon, justified by its double-barreling process, hand-smoked Michigan oak finishing, and back-to-back Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition — credentials that place it competitively among higher-end small-batch American whiskeys.

Why Butcher's Cut?

Consecutive Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2022 and 2023 put Butcher's Cut in rare company for any craft distillery, let alone one operating in Michigan. The use of hand-smoked northern Michigan oak for double-barreling is not a marketing flourish — it produces a genuinely smoky bourbon that occupies a space most American whiskeys simply don't. The unconventional mashbill, with its 5% specialty roasted barley malts, adds another layer of complexity that separates this from standard high-rye bourbons. For drinkers who want smoke in their glass without crossing the Atlantic, Butcher's Cut makes a compelling case at 100 proof.