Peerless Bourbon : Worth the Wait

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My bourbon review

Review of Peerless Distillery

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Back in 2017, I hopped in the car with my wife and we drove for 8 hours. Having taken several road trips before, 8 hours was easy. Crossing several state boarders, we arrived to our destination: I could smell the bourbon in the air. We arrived in Kentucky. We came to traverse the Bourbon Trail.

After checking into our hotel in Louisville, we ventured out to find whiskey rivers. There were a few of the "major players" we planned on hitting: Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse downtown, Evan Williams, and Bulleit. Woodford Reserve was planned for our way home, as it was outside Louisville. In addition, visiting the Louisville Slugger museum and factory was on our list. And highly recommended - even as not a big baseball fan, it is a wonderful experience.

There was a small visitors center for Louisville right outside our hotel. We stopped in to see if they had any recommendations. One item they gave us was a pamphlet. It listed places to visit on the Bourbon Trail. It had the major distilleries, like the ones listed above and more - Four Roses, Heaven Hill, and more. But, it included some "off the trail" distilleries. With all distilleries needing time specific tickets, we arranged our tastings based on that.

The day we arrived we hit up Jim Beam experience and Evan Williams. The following morning, we needed something to do. The Louisville Slugger museum was a couple miles down from the hotel. Practically right across the street (down the block with a couple minute walk) was a distillery we had never heard of: Peerless Distillery. The stars aligned on what would be a memorable and, to overexaggerate, a life changing experience.

After leaving the Louisville slugger museum, with our commemorative mini-bats and pieces from actual bats being made, we were ready for a morning drink. It's vacation, don't judge. Walking up to Peerless Distillery, it is a two story, sloped, brick building. Looking industrial, their sign filled the front with DSP-KY-50 on top. The entry had a little store area to look around while we waited for our tour to start. A cat came wandering around looking for attention. Come to find out, it lives there. The cat's name is Rye - which is perfect. Needless to say, I spent the 10 minutes waiting for the tour to start by following and petting Rye.

Rye and my wife

All the tours on the Bourbon Trail start the same with a little history of the region, some history of the distillery, what qualifies as Kentucky bourbon, and charring barrels (which does differ a little depending on the distillery's specifications). Come to find out, Peerless was a historic part of the bourbon pantheon.

DSP-KY-50 refers to Peerless being the 50th state recognized distillery in Kentucky. Currently, the distillery numbers are in the 20,000s. Even though the site shut down, therefore potentially losing it's history, it was reopened by decedents of the original owner and was allowed to keep its history intact.

Learning the history while walking the production floors was eye opening. Not cutting any corners on cost or production, the Peerless group puts their heart and soul into making each barrel. I got to see the bubbling fermenters and the bottling line. It was not bottling that day, but they walked us through the process - including having the line rebuilt backwards to Peerless' specifications. It allows visitors to watch it in action with employees facing the group. The "original" model meant their backs were to groups and some of the process would be hindered from view. I walked the halls of barrels, getting to see their very first cask, which will never be opened.

From the barrels to the bottles, love goes into each drop. From the maturation and bottling, to the deep amber and pleasant aroma, to the final smooth finish, I found that the 2 year Rye was one of the best drams I've had (actually making it to #2 on my all time list). I purchased an autographed bottle, which still sits, unopened, in my collection today.

But, could Peerless keep up the high bar they set with the bourbon? It was still aging back in 2017. I had to wait until 2021 to be able to find a place that would ship to Michigan. Luckily, I did. I put my faith in the company and had 2 shipped to me.

Side by side with the rye, it is just a couple shades lighter. Removing the top always has a satisfying "pop" that lets you know a delicious experience is coming your way. The nose is light - especially compared to other, shorter aged bourbons. There have been ones that I got a contact high from because of the fumes coming off the pour. Peerless is airy and bit sweet.

After the Kentucky Chew, taking a full sip lights up your taste buds. You get a nice flavor burst up front. A warmth of a spring morning tickles the tongue. I've had my share of throat burners. This is far from those. As it travels down your throat, a pleasant, lingering flavor hangs out like a houseguest whom you want to keep hanging out with catching up on old stories around a smoldering fire in a cool day. Unlike other bourbons who act like the houseguest who came through, ransacked your fridge, demolished your bathroom, and slapped your significant other on the ass on the way out, Peerless is a smooth sipper.

I highly recommend getting your hands on a bottle or three. Another home run from

Peerless!

Here is my haul from the Bourbon Trail