Horse Soldier Liberty 13 Year Bourbon 250th Anniversary Limited Edition 750ML

Horse Soldier Liberty 13 Year Bourbon 250th Anniversary Limited Edition 750ML is a 100-proof (50% ABV) Kentucky straight bourbon aged 13 years and limited to just 1,776 bottles. Produced by American Freedom Distillery in Somerset, Kentucky, this commemorative release marks America's 250th anniversary with a production run deliberately capped at 1,776 — a nod to the nation's founding year.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 proof)  |  Origin: Somerset, Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 13 Years  |  Distillery: American Freedom Distillery  |  Limited Edition: 1,776 Bottles

Production & Heritage

American Freedom Distillery was founded by members of the U.S. Special Forces team famously depicted on horseback in Afghanistan in 2001 — the origin of the Horse Soldier name. The Liberty 13 Year expression draws from a mashbill of 74% corn, 18% rye, and 8% malted barley, matured for thirteen years in new American oak barrels with a deep #4 char. That heavy char level — sometimes called "alligator char" — maximizes caramelization of the wood sugars and imparts intense toasted oak character over the extended aging period. The Horse Soldier brand earned three Double Gold medals at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, reflecting the distillery's commitment to quality across its range.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark caramel and toasted oak arrive immediately on the nose, giving way to dried stone fruit, baking spice, and a thread of old leather. Deeper exploration reveals pipe tobacco and roasted walnut, signaling the 13 years of oak influence.

Taste: The palate opens with rich butterscotch and brown sugar, moving quickly into baked cherry and dark chocolate at the mid-palate. Pronounced oak tannins layer against cinnamon bark and dried fig, delivering the structural complexity expected from over a decade of barrel aging. The 100-proof bottling strength carries the flavors without excess heat.

Finish: Long and warming, marked by espresso, charred oak, and lingering molasses sweetness. The tannin grip gradually softens, leaving a dry, spiced close that invites another sip.

How to Drink Horse Soldier Liberty

At 13 years old and 100 proof, this bourbon rewards neat sipping or with a few drops of water to open the dense aromatics. Its limited-edition status makes it best appreciated unadorned, though the robust proof and flavor density hold up in spirit-forward cocktails.

• Old Fashioned: The dark caramel and baking spice profile integrates seamlessly with bitters and a sugar cube, producing a rich, layered classic.
• Boulevardier: The pronounced oak and chocolate notes stand up against sweet vermouth and Campari without being buried.
• Manhattan: Dried cherry and fig on the palate mirror the cocktail's traditional vermouth-driven fruit character.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon collector who values limited-production American whiskey
• Commemorating patriotic milestones or military appreciation events
• Adding a numbered bottle to a curated whiskey cabinet
• Hosting a side-by-side tasting of well-aged Kentucky bourbons

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Horse Soldier Liberty taste like? Horse Soldier Liberty 13 Year delivers rich butterscotch, baked cherry, and dark chocolate up front, layered with cinnamon bark, dried fig, and pronounced oak tannins. The finish is long and warming with espresso, charred oak, and lingering molasses sweetness.

How does Horse Soldier Liberty compare to Knob Creek 12 Year? Both are high-proof, well-aged Kentucky bourbons, but Horse Soldier Liberty carries an extra year of maturation and is bottled as a limited-edition release of only 1,776 bottles rather than a standard lineup expression. Knob Creek 12 Year is more widely available and priced as a core-range offering, while Liberty positions as a commemorative collectible.

Is Horse Soldier Liberty good for sipping neat? Yes — at 100 proof and 13 years of age, this bourbon has the depth and complexity to reward careful neat sipping. A small splash of water can further open the nose and soften the tannic structure.

Where is Horse Soldier Liberty made? Horse Soldier Liberty is produced by American Freedom Distillery, located in Somerset, Kentucky. The distillery was founded by former U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers and operates in the heart of bourbon country.

What foods pair well with Horse Soldier Liberty? Dark chocolate truffles complement the espresso and cocoa mid-palate notes. Smoked brisket mirrors the charred oak character. Pecan pie echoes the butterscotch and brown sugar profile. Aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the bourbon's sweetness. Dried stone fruit and walnut charcuterie boards align naturally with the aromatic profile.

What sizes does Horse Soldier Liberty come in? Horse Soldier Liberty 13 Year Bourbon 250th Anniversary Limited Edition is available in a standard 750ml bottle.

Is Horse Soldier Liberty worth the price? Horse Soldier Liberty positions as an ultra-limited, commemorative bourbon — only 1,776 bottles were produced — placing it in the premium-to-collectible value tier. The 13-year age statement, 100-proof bottling strength, and scarcity justify its positioning above standard aged bourbons for collectors and enthusiasts seeking rarity alongside quality.

Why Horse Soldier Liberty?

The defining differentiator here is extreme scarcity: 1,776 bottles is a remarkably small production run, making this one of the more limited commemorative bourbons on the market. Thirteen years of maturation in heavily charred new American oak delivers a tannic density and dried-fruit complexity that shorter-aged bourbons in this mashbill range simply cannot replicate. The distillery's origin story — founded by Special Forces veterans of the legendary horseback mission in Afghanistan — gives the brand an authenticity that resonates beyond marketing. For collectors seeking a well-aged, full-proof Kentucky bourbon with genuine rarity and a meaningful backstory, Liberty is a release that earns its place.