Fort Mosé 1738 Bourbon Whiskey Review

Distillery: Victor George Spirits – Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Proof: 84 (42% ABV)

Age: Four years

Mashbill: 75% Corn 21% Rye 4% Malted Barley

MSRP: $56

Website: https://www.fortmosewhiskey.com/

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Who They Are

In 1738, Manuel de Montiano y Sopelano (the name just rolls off the tongue) arrived in Florida to begin governorship. Governor Montiano is known for leading against a British attempt to siege St. Augustine. But he is best known for establishing Fort Mosé (MO-say), the first free black settlement legally sanctioned in what would become the United States. Any slaves who made their way to Fort Mosé, accepted Catholicism and baptized with Christian names, were no longer enslaved and given new lives as free men and women.

Fort Mosé 1738 Bourbon Whiskey is the brainchild of Victor G. Harvey Sr., an African American spirits maker. Harvey’s brand honors the rich history of Fort Mosé with a bourbon, whose taste delivers and with a label that tells a short, powerful story of freedom achieved through resilience and resolve.

Harvey discovered the story of Fort Mosé while developing the inspiration to add a bourbon to his already thriving vodka operation. Influenced by the fort’s historical significance, the bourbon honors its history. Including the name paying homage, Victor George Spirits donates a portion of Fort Mosé 1738 sales to the Fort Mosé Historical Society, which provides educational programs and preserves the historical site.

The distillate currently on the market was produced and bottled in collaboration with The Point Distillery, a contract distiller located in New Port Richey, Florida. In late 2022, Victor George Spirits completed the acquisition of Palm Beach Distillery and now handles all aspects of their spirits’ production process. We anticipate expressions in late 2025 or 2026 will contain VGS’ own distillate.

If you give Fort Mosé 1738 a try or have questions, please drop me a note. I would love to hear from you. mike@bourboninspector.com;

Fort Mosé 1738 Bourbon Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4/5

Greets you with immediate hints of vanilla custard, rich cocoa, and a touch of cinnamon. The Nose is highly inviting and sets an expectation for a delightful tasting experience. It takes a rather deep dive into the nose to find hints of toasted oak.

Palate – 4/5

On the palate, “1738” has a creamy smooth texture. The malted barley shows up and contributes more than a passing touch of dark chocolate and a hint of nuttiness. The rye adds a subtle spiciness that balances the sweetness, creating a well-rounded and enjoyable sip.

Finish – 4/5

The finish is gentle and warm, with lingering notes of oak and a hint of spice. A touch of dried cherries and a bit of smokiness. It lingers pleasantly, allowing the opportunity to savor the sip.

Value – 4.75/5

At a $56 MSRP, Fort Mosé 1738 Bourbon Whiskey is an excellent value. It easily competes against bourbons in the $50-to-$75 price range, and quite possibly beats out the more mainstream labels such as Larceny, 1792 or Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel. Now that Victor George Spirits has progressed to a fully integrated operation, we fully expect more goodness to come.

Fort Mosé 1738 Bourbon Whiskey Review: The Verdict

Verdict – 4.25/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3