Whiskey Acres Farm Crafted Bottled in Bond Bourbon Whiskey 750ML

Whiskey Acres Farm Crafted Bottled in Bond Bourbon Whiskey 750ML is a 100-proof (50% ABV), 750ml estate bourbon distilled and bottled in DeKalb, Illinois, under strict bottled-in-bond regulations. As the first bottled-in-bond bourbon from Illinois' first estate distillery, every grain in the mashbill is grown on the Whiskey Acres farm — a true field-to-glass expression that few American distilleries can claim.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: DeKalb, Illinois, USA  |  Aged Over 4 Years  |  Distillery: Whiskey Acres

Production & Heritage

Whiskey Acres operates as Illinois' first estate distillery, meaning the distillery sits on the same farmland where its grains are cultivated. The mashbill for this bottled-in-bond bourbon consists of 75% estate-grown yellow-dent corn, 15% estate-grown soft red winter wheat, and 10% malted barley — a wheated profile that leans softer and sweeter than rye-forward recipes. The spirit is aged over four years in number-three charred, 53-gallon American oak barrels sourced from Kelvin Cooperage. Rather than a traditional rickhouse, Whiskey Acres matures its barrels inside converted metal grain bins, structures that expose the whiskey to the full intensity of Illinois' dramatic seasonal temperature swings. The bourbon is non-chill filtered and proofed down with limestone-filtered water before bottling, preserving oils and texture that chill filtration would strip away.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Earthy undertones lead the nose, followed by straw and dried grass. As the glass opens, Granny Smith apple and warm cinnamon emerge, bringing to mind freshly baked apple turnovers.

Taste: The entry is grain-forward, with a burst of cereal and toasted wheat that quickly gives way to vanilla and caramel at mid-palate. Charred oak and gentle baking spice develop toward the peak, while a drop or two of water unlocks deeper caramel layers and ripe apple sweetness. The soft red winter wheat in the mashbill delivers a rounder, less peppery mouthfeel than rye-based bourbons.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering caramel and spice that slowly fade into toasted grain. The non-chill filtered bottling gives the finish a slightly oily texture that carries those flavors further than you might expect at this proof.

How to Drink Whiskey Acres Bottled in Bond

At 100 proof, this bourbon holds up well neat but genuinely rewards a few drops of water, which deepen the caramel and fruit character. It also performs admirably over a single large ice cube as the dilution unfolds new layers. For cocktails, the wheated profile and bottled-in-bond strength make it a versatile base: an Old Fashioned benefits from the bourbon's natural caramel sweetness and oak backbone; a Whiskey Sour lets the apple and grain notes complement fresh citrus without getting buried; and a Paper Plane pairs the wheat-softened body against Aperol's bitterness for a balanced, complex drink.

Best For

• Supporting American craft distilling with a genuine estate-grown spirit
• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who values farm-to-bottle provenance
• Blind tasting alongside Kentucky bottled-in-bond releases for a regional comparison
• Building a wheated bourbon collection beyond the usual Maker's Mark and Weller names

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Whiskey Acres Bottled in Bond taste like? It leads with cereal grain and toasted wheat, transitions into vanilla and caramel, and finishes long with baking spice and charred oak. The wheated mashbill gives it a softer, rounder character than rye-heavy bourbons.

How does Whiskey Acres Bottled in Bond compare to New Riff Bottled in Bond Bourbon? Both are craft bottled-in-bond bourbons aged four-plus years, but they differ significantly in mashbill — New Riff uses a high-rye recipe that delivers more pepper and spice, while Whiskey Acres' wheated, estate-grown grain bill produces a softer, more caramel-forward profile. Whiskey Acres also distinguishes itself through complete grain-to-glass production on a single Illinois farm, whereas New Riff sources its grains externally from its Newport, Kentucky distillery.

Is Whiskey Acres Bottled in Bond good for sipping neat? Yes — the 100-proof strength provides body and intensity without harsh heat, and the non-chill filtered bottling preserves a rich, oily texture that rewards slow, undiluted sipping.

Where is Whiskey Acres Bottled in Bond made? It is distilled and bottled at Whiskey Acres distillery in DeKalb, Illinois, approximately 65 miles west of Chicago. The distillery sits on the same farmland where the corn, wheat, and barley used in the mashbill are grown.

What foods pair well with Whiskey Acres Bottled in Bond? Smoked pork ribs complement the charred oak and caramel notes. Apple-based desserts like tarte Tatin echo the bourbon's baked apple character. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the wheat-driven sweetness. Pecan pie mirrors the vanilla and toasted grain, while dark chocolate with sea salt highlights the spice on the finish.

What sizes does Whiskey Acres Bottled in Bond come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Whiskey Acres Bottled in Bond worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium craft bourbon, and the estate-grown grain provenance, bottled-in-bond designation, non-chill filtration, and four-plus years of age represent genuine value for drinkers who prioritize transparency and production integrity over brand prestige.

Why Whiskey Acres Bottled in Bond?

This bourbon's defining strength is verifiable provenance: every grain in the bottle was planted, harvested, and distilled on a single Illinois farm, making it one of the few truly estate-produced bourbons in the United States. The unconventional aging in metal grain bins subjects the barrels to more extreme temperature variation than a climate-controlled warehouse, contributing to deeper wood extraction and a maturity that belies the four-year age statement. Whiskey Acres has earned Best-in-State recognition for Illinois at the Heartland Whiskey Competition, underscoring the distillery's growing credibility. For anyone seeking a bottled-in-bond bourbon that tells an honest, traceable story from soil to glass, this expression delivers substance behind its premise.