Still Austin Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon 750ML

Still Austin Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon 750ML is a 100-proof (50% ABV), grain-to-glass Texas bourbon built on heirloom Jimmy Red corn, bottled at 750ml. Whisky Advocate awarded the 5-year expression 94 points and named it #7 on their Top 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of 2024—a significant achievement for any craft distillery, let alone one working with a nearly extinct heritage grain.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 proof)  |  Origin: Austin, Texas, USA  |  Bottled in Bond (minimum 4 years)  |  Distillery: Still Austin Whiskey Co.

Production & Heritage

Still Austin Whiskey Co. operates as a true grain-to-glass distillery just outside Austin, sourcing all ingredients from Texas. The mashbill—36% Jimmy Red corn, 34% white corn, 25% rye, and 5% malted barley—centers on an heirloom corn variety native to the American South that was once prized for moonshine production but nearly went extinct. Jimmy Red corn yields far less than conventional yellow corn, which keeps production inherently small-batch. Meeting bottled-in-bond requirements, the bourbon is produced in a single distilling season, aged in a federally bonded warehouse for a minimum of four years, and bottled at exactly 100 proof. More recent releases have carried 5-year (2024) and 6-year (2025) age statements, reflecting the distillery's growing inventory and patience with maturation in the demanding Texas climate.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with cracked black pepper and dusty leather before revealing softer layers of cocktail cherries and sweet cream. Behind those initial impressions, there is a Creamsicle-like sweetness alongside roasted hazelnuts and a subtle fresh-baked funnel cake quality.

Taste: On entry, buttery cornbread and caramel coat the palate, quickly joined by a chile pepper zing that gives the mid-palate real electricity. Layers of marzipan, peanut brittle, and fruit jam build toward the peak, while a cooling peppermint note lightens the overall intensity. Red velvet cake and roasted pumpkin seed flavors emerge as the bourbon opens up in the glass.

Finish: The finish is long and richly textured, with charred oak fading into cocoa, coffee, and pecan pie. A light nuttiness reminiscent of tahini lingers alongside dried hay and black tea, leaving a warm, satisfying conclusion.

How to Drink Red Corn Bourbon

At 100 proof, this bourbon rewards neat pours or a single large ice cube, which tempers the rye-driven spice and lets the corn's natural sweetness unfold. A few drops of water can amplify the creamy, pastry-like aromatics.

• Old Fashioned: The peppery backbone and caramel sweetness hold up beautifully against bitters and a sugar cube, with the heirloom corn adding unusual depth.
• Boulevardier: Chile pepper spice and cocoa notes pair naturally with Campari's bitterness and sweet vermouth's herbal richness.
• Whiskey Sour: The fruit jam and Creamsicle character brighten against fresh citrus, while 100 proof ensures the bourbon is never drowned out.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts exploring heritage grain whiskeys beyond standard yellow corn mashbills
• Gifting to a whiskey collector who follows Whisky Advocate's annual rankings
• Side-by-side tastings comparing Texas-aged bourbon against Kentucky bottled-in-bond expressions
• Cocktail night when you want a high-proof, flavor-dense base spirit

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Red Corn Bourbon taste like? It delivers bold chile pepper spice, buttery cornbread, and caramel on the palate, with a long cocoa-and-pecan-pie finish. The heirloom Jimmy Red corn contributes a distinctive nuttiness and pastry-like sweetness uncommon in standard bourbon.

How does Red Corn Bourbon compare to High Wire Jimmy Red Bourbon? High Wire Distilling uses a 100% Jimmy Red corn mashbill, producing a more corn-forward, singular flavor profile. Still Austin blends 36% Jimmy Red with white corn, rye, and malted barley, resulting in a more layered and spice-driven bourbon that many find more approachable.

Is Red Corn Bourbon good for sipping neat? Absolutely—the bottled-in-bond 100-proof strength carries enough complexity for extended neat sessions, and the interplay of pepper, cream, and cocoa keeps each sip engaging without being harsh.

Where is Red Corn Bourbon made? It is distilled, aged, and bottled at Still Austin Whiskey Co., a grain-to-glass distillery located just outside Austin, Texas. All grains used in production, including the Jimmy Red corn, are sourced from Texas farms.

What foods pair well with Red Corn Bourbon? Smoked brisket plays off the charred oak and pepper notes. Pecan pie echoes the nutty, caramel finish. Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa undertones. Cornbread with honey butter mirrors the grain-forward sweetness. Aged cheddar balances the rye spice with sharp, savory contrast.

What sizes does Red Corn Bourbon come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle at 100 proof.

Is Red Corn Bourbon worth the price? It positions as a premium craft bourbon, and the 94-point Whisky Advocate score paired with heirloom grain sourcing and true grain-to-glass production justifies its place above mass-market bottled-in-bond options in terms of both quality and provenance.

Why Red Corn Bourbon?

Very few American distilleries build a bourbon around Jimmy Red corn, an heirloom variety that nearly vanished entirely before being preserved by seed savers. Still Austin not only revived the grain but designed an entire mashbill to showcase it alongside complementary rye spice and white corn sweetness—all sourced exclusively from Texas. Whisky Advocate's 94-point score and Top 20 ranking in 2024 confirmed what early adopters already knew: this is one of the most distinctive bourbons being made in the United States today. The bottled-in-bond designation adds a layer of transparency and trust, guaranteeing age, proof, and single-distillery provenance in every bottle.