Milam & Greene Bottled in Bond Bourbon 750ML

Milam & Greene Bottled in Bond Bourbon 750ML is a 100-proof (50% ABV) straight bourbon in a 750ml bottle, distilled in Kentucky and hand-bottled in Blanco, Texas. This expression earned a Gold Medal and a 9/10 rating at the 2025 Whiskey Wash Awards, reinforcing its standing as one of the more compelling bottled-in-bond releases from an independent American brand.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky / Blanco, Texas  |  Bottled in Bond  |  Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Company (contract distilled)  |  Brand HQ: Milam & Greene, Blanco, TX

Production & Heritage

Milam & Greene is a Blanco, Texas-based spirits company led by Master Blender Heather Greene, who was named Master Blender of the Year alongside the company's 2023 Rising Star Spirits Company of the Year recognition. This bottled-in-bond expression was distilled at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Kentucky during Fall 2019, then aged entirely in char-4 new American oak barrels in a U.S. bonded warehouse before being transported to Texas for hand bottling. The mashbill — 72% corn, 22% malted rye, and 8% malted barley — is unusually heavy on malted rye, a grain choice that distinguishes this bourbon from the vast majority of its peers and contributes a richer, slightly nutty grain character not found in standard rye-based mashbills.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with vanilla, milk chocolate, and soft caramel before moving into brown sugar and tart orange citrus. Deeper sniffs reveal sweet cherry, mild cedar, and a gentle floral undercurrent — some drinkers pick up peonies and lilac — along with a thread of honey and candy corn sweetness.

Taste: On entry, soft caramel and milk chocolate dominate, quickly joined by tart orange and cherry at mid-palate. The malted rye asserts itself through mild rye spices and a cracked black pepper bite, while light brown sugar, wildflower honey, and a faint nuttiness round out the mid-palate. Some tasters note malted milk ball and fresh bread qualities that speak directly to the high proportion of malted grain.

Finish: The finish stretches fairly long, led by black pepper and mild dry oak tannins that firm up without becoming astringent. Tart orange peel and lingering rye spice carry through to the end, leaving a moderate warming burn that confirms the 100-proof backbone.

How to Drink Milam & Greene BiB

At 100 proof, this bourbon stands up well neat but also benefits from a few drops of water, which can coax out more of the floral and citrus character. On the rocks, the caramel and chocolate notes intensify as the ice slowly dilutes. For cocktails, try it in an Old Fashioned, where the malted rye spice and caramel provide a rich, layered base; a Boulevardier, where the tart orange and chocolate notes complement Campari beautifully; or a Paper Plane, where its citrus brightness and pepper spice play well against Amaro Nonino and Aperol.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts exploring unusual mashbills and malted grain expressions
• Gifting a whiskey lover who values bottled-in-bond authenticity and provenance
• Building a home bar collection focused on Texas-connected craft distilling
• Side-by-side tastings comparing malted rye bourbons against traditional rye or wheated bourbons

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Milam & Greene BiB taste like? It leads with soft caramel, milk chocolate, and tart orange, then shifts into cracked black pepper and mild rye spice driven by its high malted rye content. The finish is fairly long with dry oak tannins, orange peel, and a moderate warming sensation.

How does Milam & Greene BiB compare to Maker's Mark 46? Reviewers have noted similarities to Maker's 46, particularly in the soft, approachable mouthfeel and lack of harsh grain bite — likely because malted rye, like wheat, tempers sharpness. However, Milam & Greene's 100-proof bottling carries more intensity and spice than Maker's 46, which bottles at 94 proof and uses a wheated mashbill rather than malted rye.

Is Milam & Greene BiB good for sipping neat? Absolutely — at 100 proof it has enough structure to reward neat sipping, and the complex interplay of chocolate, citrus, and rye spice keeps each sip interesting without overwhelming heat.

Where is Milam & Greene BiB made? The bourbon is distilled at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky, then transported to Milam & Greene's facility in Blanco, Texas, where it is hand-bottled. It meets all federal bottled-in-bond requirements, including aging in a U.S. bonded warehouse.

What foods pair well with Milam & Greene BiB? Dark chocolate truffles amplify the milk chocolate and caramel on the palate. Smoked brisket complements the oak and pepper notes. Sharp cheddar cheese mirrors the dry tannin structure. Pecan pie echoes the nutty, brown sugar qualities. Orange-glazed duck bridges the tart citrus and spice.

What sizes does Milam & Greene BiB come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Milam & Greene BiB worth the price? It positions in the mid-premium tier for bottled-in-bond bourbons, and its uncommon 22% malted rye mashbill, gold-medal recognition, and 100-proof intensity deliver strong value relative to comparable craft expressions in that range.

Why Milam & Greene BiB?

The 22% malted rye mashbill is the headline here — it is a genuinely unusual grain bill in the bourbon world, where standard unmalted rye dominates, and the difference shows up on the palate as a richer, rounder texture with a subtle nuttiness that sets this apart from conventional high-rye bourbons. The 2025 Whiskey Wash Gold Medal and 9/10 score validate the quality of Master Blender Heather Greene's approach. Bottled-in-bond status guarantees a single distillery, single distilling season, four-plus years of aging, and an honest 100-proof presentation — no ambiguity about what is in the bottle. For drinkers who want a bourbon that bridges Kentucky tradition and Texas independence with a mashbill that genuinely stands out, this expression delivers substance behind the story.