Cleveland Black Reserve American Bourbon Whiskey

A Bourbon youngster that shines beyond its years.

The only thing younger than Cleveland Distillery is its Whiskey. You see, Tom Lix — a serial tech entrepreneur — figured out how to "age" Whiskey faster. As you might expect, the exact process is proprietary. But it starts with mashing and distilling American Whiskey the old fashioned way. That Whiskey is aged in new charred oak barrels for a little while — then things get crazy. The barrel is cut into pieces and placed WITH the Whiskey in a special pressurization chamber that increases and decreases the pressure. Pretty darn slick!

All that technology makes the wood "breathe" the distilled Spirit in and out. This pressure-finishing process lasts about a week and mimics the natural, seasonal aging process that normally takes years. What you end up with is a Bourbon that tastes like it is much older than it is. Cleveland Whiskey was founded in 2014 and sold its first finished bottles just a few months later. And they are ramping up production.

The really crazy thing is that the process works. Cleveland Black Reserve is a very solid outpouring. It’s amazing what a little technology can do! The Black Reserve is the second offering out of Cleveland Whiskey. It ages conventionally in the barrel for a full six months before it enters their Amazing High-Pressure Whiskey Time Machine. This "real-time" gives it the color and some of the flavor. Then the contraption finishes the job.

If you are a Bourbon aficionado, you probably want to give this one a try. Do your own blind taste test. We would put it side by side with Maker’s Mark… or better still, because the Black Reserve has a 50% ABV, or pour it next to Knob Creek. Then close your eyes and sip away. You will be amazed at how this youngster has matured beyond its years. This technology has potential... now who would mind more "aged" Whiskey produced faster!