Jefferson’s Bourbon has debuted Jefferson’s Tropics Aged in Humidity, a Kentucky straight bourbon finished in Singapore’s heat and humidity.
Jefferson’s constantly experiments with various blending, aging and finishing techniques. After the success of the Ocean Aged at Sea Voyage Series, Founder Trey Zoeller was convinced climate could affect the maturation process more than the mash bill or barrel itself, and sought to find new climates for further proof.
“When homing in on a location to age our first Jefferson’s Tropics Aged in Humidity release, we knew we needed to be near the equator, where the heat and humidity would be year-round and intense,” Zoeller explains. “Singapore — one of my bucket list travel destinations — was absolutely perfect for this experiment.”
“The result is a remarkable bourbon, one that further reinforces my belief that terroir for whiskey comes from the environment that the bourbon matures in rather than the ground from which the grains are grown,” he adds. “The Jefferson’s Tropics Aged in Humidity series embodies the result of this with its richness and complexity. We can’t wait for you to experience it firsthand.”
Nine containers with a combined capacity of 720 barrels of fully matured Kentucky straight bourbon set sail for Singapore via an ocean ship in July 2019, marking the start of the journey. Upon arrival, these barrels were exposed to Singapore’s significant heat and humidity for 18 months.
The containers made their way back to Kentucky in March 2023, where Zoeller evaluated and selected the flavor profile and proof point.
This new release has aromatic baking spices on the nose, the company reports, before notes of Bing cherry, toffee and sea salt.
Jefferson’s Tropics Aged in Humidity comes bottled 104 proof. An allocated, limited-edition release, it’s available starting September 2023 at retailers and restaurants/bars across the country for a suggested retail price of $99.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
This follows recent news of Pernod Ricard planning a new, $250M carbon neutral distillery for Jefferson’s.
