OOLA Waitsburg Bourbon 750ML

OOLA Waitsburg Bourbon 750ML is a four-grain craft bourbon from Seattle, Washington, bottled at 47% ABV (94 proof) in a 750ml bottle. This expression earned a Gold Medal at the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Silver Medal from the Beverage Testing Institute in 2012, which also rated it "Highly Recommended."

Quick Facts: ABV: 47% (94 proof)  |  Origin: Seattle, Washington, USA  |  Aged 6–8 Years  |  Distillery: OOLA Distillery

Production & Heritage

OOLA Distillery operates out of Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, where founder Kirby Kallas-Lewis launched the operation with a focus on small-batch spirits. Waitsburg Bourbon uses an uncommon four-grain mashbill of corn, rye, malted barley, and white winter wheat — a departure from the standard three-grain recipe most bourbon producers follow. The spirit is distilled through a copper-pot still, then initially matured in small American white oak casks that experience daily temperature swings of 50–70 degrees Fahrenheit, accelerating barrel interaction early in the aging process. The bourbon is subsequently transferred into full-size 53-gallon American white oak barrels with an alligator char for the remainder of its six-to-eight-year maturation, allowing deeper complexity to develop at a more gradual pace.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with vanilla and caramel, followed by warm cinnamon, ginger, and black peppercorn. Roasted nuts and baked apples emerge beneath the primary spice notes, adding an autumn-harvest quality.

Taste: The entry is rich with butterscotch and caramel candy, quickly joined by brown sugar and maple syrup at mid-palate. As spice builds, notes of dill, olive brine, and chutney create an unexpected savory dimension. Cherry and pine emerge toward the peak, balancing the sweetness with brighter, resinous tones.

Finish: The finish is warm and balanced, carrying buttery oak, toffee, and fresh cherry into a lingering close. Hints of honey and oak spice remain well after the final sip, with moderate length and a smooth, coating texture.

How to Drink Waitsburg Bourbon

At 94 proof, Waitsburg delivers its full spectrum of flavors neat or with a single ice cube to temper the spice and open up the sweeter grain notes. A few drops of water can coax out additional butterscotch and cherry character.

• Old Fashioned: The caramel-forward profile and baking spice stand up to bitters and a sugar cube without losing definition.
• Manhattan: The savory, herbal undertones (dill, olive) create an intriguing dialogue with sweet vermouth.
• Bourbon Sour: Brown sugar and cherry notes harmonize naturally with fresh citrus juice and simple syrup.

Best For

• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates unusual mashbills and craft production
• Side-by-side tastings comparing four-grain versus traditional three-grain bourbons
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert courses featuring caramel or stone fruit
• Exploring Pacific Northwest distilling beyond the Oregon and Kentucky mainstream

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Waitsburg Bourbon taste like? Waitsburg Bourbon leads with rich caramel, butterscotch, and brown sugar, followed by cinnamon spice, cherry, and an unusual savory streak of dill and olive brine. The finish is warm and honeyed with lingering oak toffee.

How does Waitsburg Bourbon compare to Maker's Mark? Maker's Mark is a wheated bourbon that omits rye entirely, producing a softer, sweeter profile, while Waitsburg uses both rye and wheat in its four-grain mashbill, resulting in noticeably more spice complexity alongside its sweetness. Waitsburg is also craft-distilled in small batches through a copper-pot still rather than a column still.

Is Waitsburg Bourbon good for sipping neat? Yes — the 94-proof bottling strength is robust enough to carry its layered tasting notes without overwhelming heat, making it well-suited to neat sipping. A few drops of water further soften the spice and expand the sweeter caramel and cherry tones.

Where is Waitsburg Bourbon made? Waitsburg Bourbon is distilled at OOLA Distillery in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. Despite the bourbon category's strong association with Kentucky, OOLA is part of a growing movement of craft distillers producing high-quality bourbon in the Pacific Northwest.

What foods pair well with Waitsburg Bourbon? Smoked brisket or pulled pork highlights the bourbon's oak and caramel sweetness. Dark chocolate truffles complement the toffee and cherry notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère mirrors the nutty, butterscotch undertones. Pecan pie or crème brûlée echoes the brown sugar and vanilla profile. Charcuterie boards with cornichons play off the spirit's savory dill and olive character.

What sizes does Waitsburg Bourbon come in? Waitsburg Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Waitsburg Bourbon worth the price? Waitsburg positions as a premium craft bourbon, and its four-grain mashbill, copper-pot distillation, two-stage barrel aging over six to eight years, and Gold Medal credentials from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition justify its place in that tier. For drinkers seeking something beyond mass-market bourbon with genuine production differentiation, it represents solid value.

Why Waitsburg Bourbon?

The defining feature of Waitsburg Bourbon is its two-stage maturation process — initial aging in small casks exposed to dramatic daily temperature swings, followed by years in full-size 53-gallon alligator-charred barrels — a technique that few American distillers employ. The four-grain mashbill incorporating both rye and wheat yields a profile that bridges the gap between the spice-forward character of high-rye bourbons and the rounded softness of wheated expressions. Recognized with a Gold Medal at the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a "Highly Recommended" rating from the Beverage Testing Institute, this is not a bottle trading on craft novelty alone. For bourbon drinkers who have explored the Kentucky standards and want a genuinely distinctive American whiskey with documented quality, Waitsburg is a serious contender from an unlikely corner of the map.