St Elmo Straight Bourbon 750ML

St Elmo Straight Bourbon 750ML is a cherry-and-vanilla-infused straight bourbon bottled at 88 proof (44% ABV) in a 750ml bottle. A Gold medal winner at the Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards, this Indiana-distilled bourbon distinguishes itself from the crowded flavored whiskey category by delivering genuine infused character at a higher proof than most competitors.

Quick Facts: ABV: 44% (88 Proof)  |  Origin: Indiana, USA  |  3-Year Straight Bourbon, Cherry & Vanilla Infused  |  Produced by St. Elmo Foods; Finished & Bottled by Cardinal Spirits

Production & Heritage

St Elmo Straight Bourbon begins as a traditionally distilled three-year-old straight bourbon produced in Lawrenceburg, Indiana — a town synonymous with American whiskey production. The bourbon is then transferred to Cardinal Spirits in Bloomington, Indiana, where it is infused with natural dark cherries and vanilla beans before bottling. At 88 proof, it arrives at a notably higher strength than many flavored whiskies that bottle at 60 proof, allowing the underlying bourbon character to hold its ground alongside the fruit and spice infusion.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark cherry dominates the nose immediately, followed by waves of sugary sweetness and ripe fruit. Underneath, vanilla bean and a faint trace of oak round out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is rich and fruit-forward, with pronounced black cherry sweetness that transitions into dark chocolate and light brown sugar at mid-palate. As the bourbon develops, vanilla bean and subtle oak tannins emerge, providing structure beneath the fruity top notes.

Finish: Medium in length with a smooth, gently warming texture. Lingering notes of cinnamon, cola, and sweet vanilla taper off gradually.

How to Drink St Elmo Bourbon

Served neat, the cherry and vanilla infusion is front and center — a small ice cube tempers the sweetness slightly and lets the oak base come through. Its 88-proof backbone makes it particularly effective in cocktails where lesser-proof flavored whiskeys fall flat.

• Manhattan: The natural cherry and vanilla mirror classic Manhattan garnish and vermouth notes, creating a cohesive, dessert-like twist on the standard.
• Bourbon Sour: Dark cherry sweetness pairs naturally with fresh citrus, reducing the need for simple syrup.
• Old Fashioned: The infused flavors play the role typically handled by bitters and a sugar cube, yielding a streamlined, fruit-rich variation.

Best For

• Flavored whiskey drinkers seeking a higher-proof, less diluted option
• Gifting someone who enjoys dessert-style spirits with genuine craft character
• Home bartenders experimenting with fruit-forward bourbon cocktails
• After-dinner sipping as an alternative to a traditional digestif

Frequently Asked Questions

What does St Elmo Bourbon taste like? St Elmo Bourbon leads with prominent black cherry and vanilla bean sweetness, supported by dark chocolate, light brown sugar, and a warm cinnamon-laced finish. The underlying three-year straight bourbon provides just enough oak and grain structure to keep it grounded.

How does St Elmo Bourbon compare to Angel's Envy Rye? Both expressions take a quality base whiskey and introduce secondary flavor dimensions — Angel's Envy Rye through rum barrel finishing, St Elmo through direct dark cherry and vanilla bean infusion. St Elmo is sweeter and more overtly fruit-driven, while Angel's Envy Rye leans toward baking spice and tropical notes from its Caribbean rum cask treatment.

Is St Elmo Bourbon good for cocktails? Yes — its 88-proof strength means the cherry and vanilla flavors hold up over ice and alongside mixers, unlike many 60-proof flavored whiskeys that taste thin when diluted. It works especially well in Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, and whiskey sours.

Where is St Elmo Bourbon made? The base straight bourbon is distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a historic distilling hub. It is then transported to Cardinal Spirits in Bloomington, Indiana, where the cherry and vanilla bean infusion, finishing, and bottling take place.

What foods pair well with St Elmo Bourbon? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and cherry notes. Grilled stone fruit such as peaches or plums echoes the bourbon's fruity character. Smoked pork belly plays off the vanilla and brown sugar sweetness. A sharp aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint. Bread pudding with caramel sauce mirrors the dessert-like finish.

What sizes does St Elmo Bourbon come in? St Elmo Straight Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is St Elmo Bourbon worth the price? St Elmo positions as a mid-range flavored bourbon that punches above its tier thanks to its 88-proof strength and real-ingredient infusion process. For drinkers who find most flavored whiskeys too sweet or watery, it represents strong value within the category.

Why St Elmo Bourbon?

The core differentiator here is proof. Where the majority of cherry- or vanilla-flavored whiskeys bottle at 60 proof and lose their identity the moment ice hits the glass, St Elmo's 88-proof foundation preserves both the bourbon's grain-and-oak backbone and the infused fruit character. A Gold medal at the Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards and a Bronze at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition validate that the balance works. Built on a genuine three-year straight bourbon base from one of Indiana's most storied distilling towns, this is a flavored whiskey that doesn't apologize for being one — and doesn't need to.