Distillery: “Distilled in Kentucky”
Proof: 95
Age: Seven Years and Two Months (Six Years in Kentucky + Two Months at Sea + One Year in England)
Mashbill: 75% Corn; 21% Rye; 4% Malted Barley
MSRP: $70
Who They Are
To understand Never Say Die, we must delve into a remarkable story that begins in late March 1951. Legendary horse trainer John Bell and his wife had returned to their rented Kentucky farm to find a new foal struggling to breathe.
In a desperate move and for reasons known only to Bell, he grabbed a bottle of bourbon from his desk, took a quick sip, and poured the rest down the foal’s throat. The colt survived and was aptly named Never Say Die.
Fast forward three years, and this once struggling colt entered England’s prestigious 1951 Epsom Derby. With 33-to-1 odds, Never Say Die was not considered a serious contender. Yet, against the expectations, he seized the lead and cruised to victory, becoming the first American-born horse to win the race in over seventy years.
Among the crowd, estimated at 250,000, was a young woman named Mona Best who bet all her pawned possessions on Never Say Die. Her winnings funded the purchase of a home in Liverpool, which became the Casbah Coffee Club — a small basement venue that helped launch the Beatles… yes, THE Beatles.
In what can only be considered a rather daring and bizarre maturation route, Never Say Die Bourbon mirrors the horse’s journey. Produced in Kentucky, it ages for six years before embarking on a two-month sea journey to England. It spends an additional year of aging in Derbyshire, where it experiences a much cooler climate than its Kentucky birthplace before being bottled and re-imported to the United States.
Never Say Die Small Batch Bourbon: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4/5
Never Say Die greets the nose with sweet, inviting notes of orange and vanilla complimented by a slight hint of smokey char.
Palate – 2.5/5
The rye presents itself boldly with an immediate pop of pepper and spice that lingers pleasantly. As the pepper dissipates, a slight bitterness emerges, adding complexity.
Finish – 4/5
The long, slow finish stands as a testament to the bourbon’s quality. The initial bitterness on the palate gives way to a warm embrace of hot baking spices that lingers for several minutes.
Value – 3.5/5
Despite its modest name recognition and $70 MSRP, Never Say Die is a hidden gem that is worthy of adding to your collection. Its unique story and maturation process make it a conversation starter and a delightful experience to share with friends.
Never Say Die Small Batch Bourbon Review: The Verdict
Verdict – 3.75/5
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
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.