UNBENDT Unblended Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

Distillery: BENDT Distilling Company—Lewisville, TX

Proof: 100.0 (50.0% ABV)

Age: Five+ Years

Mashbill: Undisclosed Ratio of Yellow Dent Corn, Texas Elbon Rye, 2-Row Malted Barley

MSRP: $60

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No Blending.  No Hiding.  Just Gold Medal Texas Bourbon.

BENDT Distilling Co., based in Lewisville, Texas, isn’t just checking boxes when it comes to the term “craft.” In a market where sourcing is widespread and blending is routine—even among bottled-in-bond whiskeys—UNBENDT sets itself apart from the herd.

Yes, it meets all the federal standards: a single season, a single distiller, a single site, and bottled at 100 proof. But what truly distinguishes this whiskey is found right in the name: UNBLENDED. That word isn’t just a label—it’s a declaration. No sourced components. No post-aging blending to round it out. Just one season’s worth of distillate, aged and bottled as-is, with nothing to hide behind.

It’s a bold move for any distillery, let alone one operating in the punishing heat swings of Texas. Yet BENDT manages to deliver a whiskey that honors the Bottled-in-Bond tradition while carving out a distinctly Texan identity within it.

This is a whiskey that doesn’t just check the bonded-box—it builds its own voice inside the box…or should I say inside the bottle.

UNBENDT Unblended Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4/5

The Nose opens with a grain-forward introduction: fresh cracked black pepper, two-day-old cornbread crust—dusty, smoky corn–and a bit of molasses just beneath the surface. After a swirl, hints of toasted spice, oak shavings, and a slightly earthy tobacco leaf character appear—simple but not shy.

Palate – 4.25/5

The first sip delivers burnt sugar, leather, and toasted cereal grain, quickly followed by an oily texture that helps it carry the flavors. Mid-Palate brings a slightly fruity sweetness—think dried fig or cherry—and a dose of charred wood. The overall flavor is steady, not sharp. 

Finish – 3.5/5

The Finish is dry and structured, with soft baking spice, black tea, and a whisper of dry cocoa powder. The oak returns on the back end—not with heavy tannins, but with a kind of charred sweetness that lingers during the exit.  Muted though it may be a trace of quintessential Texas funk comes through in Finish.

Value – 4.5/5

At $60, this whiskey isn’t chasing profit on top of what someone else made—and that’s part of its appeal. It’s a fully in-house, bottled-in-bond expression that does not rely on sourcing or blends to build its flavor. It drinks with a controlled intensity.  This is honest craft work at a fair price.

This craft bourbon offers an unfiltered look into what North Texas whiskey can be—this is one worth pouring often.  UNBENDT Unblended Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey isn’t about high proof or trendy finishes. Instead, it leans on two things:  grain-driven character and—since there’s no hiding behind the ability to blend–quality in the distillation. 

UNBENDT Unblended Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review: The Verdict

This craft bourbon offers an unfiltered look into what North Texas whiskey can be—this is one worth pouring often.  For UNBENDT Unblended Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey isn’t about high proof or trendy finishes. Instead, it leans on two things:  grain-driven character and—since there’s no hiding behind the ability to blend–quality in the distillation. 

Verdict – 4.1/5

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