Jesse James The Outlaw Bourbon 750ML

Jesse James The Outlaw Bourbon 750ML is a 7-year-old small-batch Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey bottled at 109.4 proof (54.7% ABV) in a 750ml bottle. Produced by Preservation Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, this high-proof wheated bourbon draws on pot still production and vintage barrel stocks, resulting in an expression with notable depth and intensity for its age statement.

Quick Facts: ABV: 54.7% (109.4 Proof)  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA  |  7-Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: Preservation Distillery

Production & Heritage

Preservation Distillery operates in Bardstown, Kentucky — a town widely recognized as the Bourbon Capital of the World. Jesse James The Outlaw is part of the distillery's Outlaw Series, which combines wheated bourbon drawn from vintage barrel stocks with Preservation's own pot still wheated bourbon. The result is a small-batch expression aged in new charred American oak barrels for a minimum of seven years. The use of wheat as the secondary grain in the mashbill (which meets the minimum 51% corn requirement for bourbon) produces a notably softer grain character than rye-forward recipes, while the barrel-proof bottling at 109.4 proof preserves the full intensity of the aged spirit without chill filtration dilution.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with rich caramel and toasted oak, then deepens into vanilla bean, dark cherry, and warm baking spice. A subtle charred wood note sits underneath, reflecting the seven years in new charred American oak.

Taste: The entry is full and sweet, led by toffee and browned sugar. Mid-palate brings cinnamon, roasted nuts, and seasoned oak. A thread of subtle stone fruit emerges toward the peak, lending balance to the bold proof level and keeping the sweetness from becoming one-dimensional.

Finish: Long, warming, and layered — lingering spice, caramelized sugars, and charred oak dominate the fade. Gentle fruit undertones carry through to the very end, adding a clean, drying quality that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Jesse James The Outlaw

At 109.4 proof, this bourbon rewards patient exploration. Sipping neat allows the full spectrum of caramel, spice, and oak to develop, though a few drops of water or a single large ice cube will open the sweeter stone fruit and vanilla notes without muting the spirit's intensity. For cocktails, the high proof makes it a compelling backbone:

• Old Fashioned: The toffee and baking spice notes hold their character against sugar and bitters, standing up to dilution beautifully.
• Boulevardier: The wheated softness prevents the bourbon from clashing with sweet vermouth and Campari, adding depth without harshness.
• Kentucky Mule: Barrel-proof bourbon punches through ginger beer and lime, delivering a richer, more complex take on this classic highball.

Best For

• Bourbon collectors seeking a small-batch, age-stated wheated expression at barrel strength
• Gifting to a whiskey enthusiast who gravitates toward high-proof, oak-forward Kentucky bourbon
• Side-by-side tastings comparing wheated versus rye-forward bourbon recipes
• Building a home bar anchored by a versatile, cocktail-friendly barrel-proof bourbon

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Jesse James The Outlaw taste like? It delivers a bold, sweet profile dominated by toffee, caramel, cinnamon, and toasted oak, with subtle stone fruit and roasted nut accents. The 109.4 proof carries considerable warmth, but the wheated mashbill keeps the overall character smooth rather than sharp.

How does Jesse James The Outlaw compare to Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel? Elmer T. Lee is a single barrel bourbon bottled at 90 proof using Buffalo Trace's rye-inclusive mashbill, offering a lighter, more approachable profile. Jesse James The Outlaw runs significantly hotter at 109.4 proof, uses a wheat-forward recipe, and carries a 7-year age statement, making it a bolder and denser pour with a softer grain character.

Is Jesse James The Outlaw good for sipping neat? Yes — the seven years of aging and wheated mashbill produce enough complexity and smoothness to reward neat sipping, though the barrel-proof strength may benefit from a splash of water to open up the more delicate fruit and vanilla notes.

Where is Jesse James The Outlaw made? It is produced by Preservation Distillery, located in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky. Bardstown is one of the most concentrated bourbon-producing areas in the United States.

What foods pair well with Jesse James The Outlaw? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the caramel sweetness contrasts with savory char. Dark chocolate truffles, which echo the toffee notes. Pecan pie, complementing the roasted nut and browned sugar character. Sharp aged cheddar, which cuts through the richness. Grilled stone fruit such as peaches, highlighting the bourbon's subtle fruit undertones.

What sizes does Jesse James The Outlaw come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Jesse James The Outlaw worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium bourbon, and the combination of a seven-year age statement, barrel-proof bottling, and wheated small-batch production places it in competitive territory against more widely distributed craft bourbons at similar price points. The age statement and proof offer tangible value for drinkers who prioritize intensity and transparency in production.

Why Jesse James The Outlaw?

What distinguishes this expression within the crowded Kentucky bourbon market is its specific production approach: a blend of vintage wheated bourbon stocks with Preservation Distillery's own pot still wheated bourbon, bottled at a full 109.4 proof with a declared seven-year age statement. Wheated bourbons at barrel proof with this kind of age transparency remain relatively uncommon outside of major heritage brands. The pot still component adds a textural richness that column-distilled wheated bourbons often lack, giving the finished product a heavier, more mouth-coating quality. For drinkers who appreciate knowing exactly what they are pouring — the age, the proof, the grain character — Jesse James The Outlaw delivers on specifics rather than relying on narrative alone.