DryFly Bourbon 750ML

Dry Fly Bourbon 750ml is a 101-proof (50.5% ABV) craft bourbon from Spokane, Washington, distinguished by its unconventional triticale-based mashbill. Awarded 96 points by Tasting Panel Magazine in 2018, this expression earned recognition as one of the first legal bourbons produced in Washington State.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50.5% (101 Proof)  |  Origin: Spokane, Washington, USA  |  Minimum 3 Years Old  |  Distillery: Dry Fly Distilling

Production & Heritage

Dry Fly Distilling operates in downtown Spokane and holds the distinction of producing Washington State's first legal bourbon. The mashbill is composed of 55% corn grown by the local Hutterian Settlement and 45% triticale — a laboratory-bred hybrid of wheat and rye first developed in the late 19th century in Scotland and Germany. All grain is sourced from family farms within 30 miles of the distillery, reinforcing a genuinely local supply chain. Distillation runs through a custom-designed Christian Carl copper pot still manufactured in Germany, featuring multiple rectification columns and a 450-liter capacity. The spirit matures for a minimum of three years in 53-gallon American oak barrels before bottling at a robust 101 proof with no chill filtration indicated.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet butterscotch and soft caramel lead, followed by layers of summer peach, walnut shell, and oatmeal. Deeper investigation reveals fresh-baked bread and prominent floral notes alongside ripe dark berries.

Taste: The entry is assertive and grain-forward — big vanilla and caramel hit the palate immediately, then shift toward burnt orange peel and marshmallow sweetness. At mid-palate, citrus and wheat tones become very present, with orange sponge cake and sweet Rainier cherry developing as the proof settles. The triticale contributes a textural breadth rarely found in standard corn-and-rye bourbons, bridging the softness of wheated styles with a peppery rye kick.

Finish: Medium-long, opening with black pepper and leather-oak spice before resolving into lemony citrus and lingering vanilla. The 101-proof backbone keeps flavors anchored well after each sip fades.

How to Drink Dry Fly Bourbon

At 101 proof, this bourbon rewards a splash of water or a single large ice cube to open the triticale grain character without drowning the citrus and caramel core. Neat pours at room temperature showcase the full aromatic complexity. For cocktails, try an Old Fashioned — the orange peel notes in the spirit mirror the cocktail's garnish and amplify citrus dimensions. A Boulevardier benefits from the high proof, which holds its own against Campari's bitterness while adding vanilla richness. A simple Whiskey Sour leverages the natural lemon-citrus character in the finish, reducing reliance on heavy citrus juice.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts seeking an unusual grain-forward profile outside the Kentucky mainstream
• Gifting to someone who values craft distilling provenance and farm-to-bottle sourcing
• Tasting flights comparing wheated, ryed, and triticale bourbons side by side
• High-proof cocktail builds that need a spirit with enough structure to stand up to bold mixers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dry Fly Bourbon taste like? Dry Fly Bourbon leads with bold caramel and vanilla, followed by distinctive orange peel, marshmallow, and baked bread notes. The triticale grain adds a wheated softness alongside a subtle rye-like pepper spice on the finish.

How does Dry Fly Bourbon compare to Maker's Mark? Both feature a soft, wheat-influenced profile, but Dry Fly uses triticale (a wheat-rye hybrid) rather than pure winter wheat, giving it a spicier edge and more pronounced grain character. Dry Fly also bottles at a significantly higher 101 proof compared to Maker's Mark's standard 90 proof, resulting in a bolder, more assertive spirit.

Is Dry Fly Bourbon good for sipping neat? Yes — the 101-proof strength delivers concentrated flavor without excessive heat, and the complex orange, vanilla, and grain notes reward slow, undiluted exploration. A few drops of water can help soften the entry for those sensitive to higher-proof spirits.

Where is Dry Fly Bourbon made? Dry Fly Bourbon is distilled at Dry Fly Distilling in downtown Spokane, Washington. All grain in the mashbill is sourced from family farms located within 30 miles of the distillery.

What foods pair well with Dry Fly Bourbon? Smoked pork ribs complement the caramel and oak spice; aged cheddar echoes the butterscotch notes; dark chocolate with orange zest mirrors the spirit's citrus-forward palate; pecan pie aligns with the vanilla and walnut tones; and grilled stone fruit like peaches amplifies the summer fruit aromatics.

What sizes does Dry Fly Bourbon come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle at 101 proof.

Is Dry Fly Bourbon worth the price? Dry Fly Bourbon positions in the premium craft tier, reflecting small-batch production, locally sourced grain, imported German copper pot stills, and a minimum three-year age statement. For drinkers seeking something genuinely different from mass-market bourbon, the triticale mashbill and 96-point Tasting Panel Magazine score provide strong justification within that price range.

Why Dry Fly Bourbon?

The defining feature here is triticale — a grain almost no other bourbon distillery uses as a primary mashbill component. That 45% triticale content creates a flavor profile that straddles the line between wheated bourbon's softness and rye bourbon's bite, landing in territory that genuinely has few direct comparisons. The 96-point score from Tasting Panel Magazine in 2018, along with a Silver Medal at Whiskies of the World the same year, validated what craft whiskey followers had already noticed: Dry Fly is producing bourbon that competes well above its distillery's size. Backed by a transparent grain-sourcing model — all ingredients grown within 30 miles of downtown Spokane — and distilled on purpose-built Christian Carl copper pot stills, this is a bourbon that earns attention through substance rather than marketing.