Jimmy Red Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

Distillery: High Wire Distilling Company Distillery—Charleston, South Carolina

Proof: 95 (47.5% ABV)

Age: Approximately four years

Mashbill: 100% Jimmy Red Corn

MSRP: $60

---

Who They Are

Jimmy Red Straight Bourbon Whiskey by High Wire Distilling Co., a craft distillery based in Charleston, South Carolina, uses heirloom grains and traditional techniques.  Heirloom grains (also called Heritage Grains) refer to grain varieties that were developed before the mid-20th century, untouched by genetic modification or chemical treatment.  Other common heirloom grains used in whiskey production include Bloody Butcher Corn, Emmer Wheat or Tennessee Red Cob, each making for unique whiskeys.

 The mashbill for Jimmy Red Corn is a rare, heirloom variety of corn that was nearly extinct before being revived by a group of dedicated farmers, chefs, and distillers. Known for its deep red color and rich flavor profile, Jimmy Red Corn is a more labor-intensive crop than other corns.  With a rich oily texture and sweet flavor, we can likely anticipate a lot of that coming through on the Nose and Palate.

Jimmy Red Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.5/5

Jimmy Red is a delightful mix of sweet notes of caramel, butterscotch, brown sugar and vanilla mixed hints of dried fruit—imagine raisins and figs.  Rounding out the Nose are hints of roasted nuts and buttered popcorn along with a slight touch of toasted oak.

Palate – 4/5

4 / 5, if you lean to the sweet side; 2 / 5 if you lean to the hotter side

On the Palate, just as was anticipated, I immediately noticed the rich, smooth, creamy mouthfeel. The sweetness of the corn, with notes honey, toffee, and cornbread come bursting full forward. The slight oakiness found on the Nose carries into the Palate.  While the Palate is quite enjoyable, enthusiasts who are looking for a bit of bite may be left wanting a bit more engagement from this bourbon.  Certainly, if you lean toward the sweetness of a wheated bourbon or high corn expression, you will thoroughly enjoy Jimmy Red.

Finish – 4/5

The finish is warm with lingering notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak. There’s a gentle spice that remains along with subtle hints of Rainier cherries along with roasted coffee.

Value – 4.25/5

At $60, Jimmy Red Straight Bourbon Whiskey sits just above the top of the economy category and at the lower end of the middle tier.  It’s unique mashbill of 100% Jimmy Red Corn sets it apart and makes this bourbon a historical story in a bottle.  From its near extinct heirloom grain origins to its unique flavor profile, it is worth the expense especially if you are looking for a unique expression to add to your sipping rotation.

Jimmy Red Straight Bourbon Whiskey: The Verdict

Jimmy Red Straight Bourbon Whiskey offers a rich flavor profile. It’s full-bodied Palate, smooth Finish and unique mashbill will appeal to enthusiasts who lean to the sweeter side of their selections.  For those who are looking for a gateway expression, Jimmy Red may be right in your sweet spot.

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