Ironclad The Old Kernel Straight Bourbon (70cl, 50%)

A straight bourbon from Ironclad Distillery Co. in Newport News, Virginia, made from 78% Pungo Creek Mills Heirloom Indian corn, 12% malted barley and 10% rye. The mash is distilled in a copper still and the spirit is matured for three years in small 30-gallon French oak casks. The corn is central to the bottle. Bill Savage bought it in 2007 from a family on Virginia's Eastern Shore whose grandfather had grown it since 1870, and later made the rare grain available to Ironclad for this bourbon. It is bottled at 50%, without chill-filtration or added colouring. The nose has dark cherry syrup, freshly baked biscuits and a touch of caramel. On the palate come sweet corn, cornbread with honey butter and a little rye spice. The finish is sweet and lingering, with maple syrup.