Traverse City The Founders Collection 4Pk

Traverse City The Founders Collection 4Pk is a four-bottle barrel proof whiskey set from Traverse City Whiskey Co. in Northern Michigan, featuring bourbon, rye, wheat, and cherry expressions. The collection showcases a distillery that has earned multiple Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2022 & 2023) and a 91-point rating from Wine Enthusiast for its Barrel Proof Bourbon.

Quick Facts: ABV: Varies (all Barrel Proof)  |  Origin: Traverse City, Northern Michigan  |  Style: Barrel Proof Variety Set  |  Distillery: Traverse City Whiskey Co.

Production & Heritage

Traverse City Whiskey Co. operates out of Traverse City in Northern Michigan, drawing on family distilling heritage stretching back to the late 1800s. Founder Chris Fredrickson's great-grandfather developed patented distilling techniques that were approved by the U.S. Patent Office during Prohibition. The distillery works with a combination of its own whiskey and barrels sourced from MGP in Indiana, with the critical distinction that all sourced barrels are aged on-site in Michigan's climate before bottling. The Founders Collection presents four distinct mashbills at barrel proof: the bourbon (75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley), the rye (95% rye, 5% malted barley), the cherry whiskey (same bourbon mashbill finished with Traverse City's famous cherries), and a wheat whiskey expression.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Across the set, the bourbon leads with sweet pecan pie and caramel aromas, joined by oak and sugar cookie notes. The rye adds spice-forward complexity, while the cherry expression brings distinct fruit character, and the wheat offers a softer, grain-forward opening.

Taste: The bourbon delivers subtle sweetness followed by espresso, cacao, charred citrus peel, and cracked pepper at mid-palate. The rye provides a bold, peppery backbone with herbal notes typical of a 95% rye mashbill. The cherry expression layers the bourbon's sweetness with tart cherry fruit, and the wheat whiskey rounds out the set with a smoother, more delicate grain profile. All four carry the full intensity of barrel proof strength.

Finish: The bourbon finishes with nutty, lingering warmth alongside dried dark fruit, spiced orange peel, and a touch of leather. Each expression in the set delivers a distinct finish — from the rye's spicy persistence to the cherry's fruity sweetness and the wheat's clean, mellow fade.

How to Drink the Founders Collection

At barrel proof, each expression benefits from a few drops of water or a single ice cube to open up the flavors without masking the intensity. Tasting all four side by side, neat, is the ideal way to explore how different mashbills and finishes express themselves at cask strength.

• Old Fashioned: The Barrel Proof Bourbon's caramel and espresso notes stand up beautifully against bitters and sugar at full proof.
• Manhattan: The 95/5 rye's bold spice pairs naturally with sweet vermouth, holding its own without getting lost.
• Whiskey Sour: The cherry expression adds a natural fruit dimension that complements the citrus and sweetener in this classic.

Best For

• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates barrel proof expressions
• Side-by-side tastings to compare how mashbill shapes flavor at cask strength
• Exploring Michigan craft whiskey without committing to four full-size bottles
• Adding variety to a home bar with award-winning barrel proof spirits

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Founders Collection taste like? The four-bottle set spans a wide range: the bourbon brings caramel, espresso, and pecan pie sweetness; the rye delivers bold pepper and spice; the cherry layers tart fruit over a bourbon base; and the wheat offers a softer, more delicate grain character. All are bottled at barrel proof, so they carry intense, undiluted flavor.

How does the Founders Collection compare to buying individual Traverse City barrel proof bottles? The collection gives access to all four barrel proof expressions in smaller format, making it a more economical way to sample the full range before investing in a full-size bottle. The individual releases are the same liquid — each has earned its own accolades, including Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Is the Founders Collection good for sipping neat? Yes — barrel proof whiskeys reward neat sipping, especially when a few drops of water are added to tame the alcohol and release hidden flavors. This set is designed for deliberate tasting rather than casual mixing.

Where is the Founders Collection made? Traverse City Whiskey Co. is located in Traverse City, in the northern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The distillery produces its own whiskey and also ages sourced barrels from MGP (Lawrenceburg, Indiana) on-site in Michigan's distinct seasonal climate.

What foods pair well with the Founders Collection? The bourbon pairs well with pecan pie or dark chocolate truffles, where its caramel and cacao notes find natural harmony. The rye complements charcuterie boards, especially aged salami and sharp cheddar. The cherry expression works alongside smoked duck breast or cherry-glazed pork. The wheat whiskey suits lighter fare like honey-drizzled brie or roasted almonds.

What sizes does the Founders Collection come in? The Founders Collection is available as a four-bottle pack, with each expression presented in a smaller-format bottle designed for sampling the full barrel proof range.

Is the Founders Collection worth the price? The set positions as a premium craft whiskey offering that delivers four distinct barrel proof expressions in one package. Given the Double Gold medals, the 91-point Wine Enthusiast rating on the bourbon, and the barrel proof bottling across all four, the collection represents strong value compared to purchasing each expression individually at full size.

Why the Founders Collection?

What separates this set from generic whiskey samplers is that every bottle inside has been recognized at the highest competitive level — including multiple Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a 91-point Wine Enthusiast score for the bourbon alone. The on-site aging of MGP-sourced barrels in Northern Michigan's climate gives these whiskeys a character distinct from the same sourced stock bottled elsewhere. Traverse City Whiskey Co.'s roots trace to patented distilling methods from the 1800s, lending historical legitimacy that most craft distilleries cannot claim. For anyone serious about exploring barrel proof whiskey across four different grain profiles, this is one of the few collections where every expression has earned independent critical recognition.