William Grant & Sons now has their first American whiskey from scratch. They've brought the sensibilities they use in blending whiskeys (for example, Tullamore D.E.W.) to bourbon. Fistful of Bourbon blends five different barrels, ages that blend for two years, and produces a straightforward and pleasant bourbon.
The bourbon's name takes inspiration from the film Clint
Eastwood had his first starring role in, Fistful of Dollars, and the
branding of the whiskey leans into that happily. From the spaghetti western
motifs in the marketing to the curves of the label's font, suggestive of ropes
and lassos, it's clear that William Grant & Sons is embracing the fun side of
this new offering.
During our virtual tasting, brand ambassador Anthony
Bohlinger noted, "We want to do with bourbon what Hendrick's did with gin: bring
some fun." While we agree that there's nothing wrong with the character pieces
and history associated with other whiskey brands, there is room for some
lightheartedness in the whiskey world.
Fistful of Bourbon is currently available in select markets
but is eying a full launch around September. The original launch was intended
for March but got pushed back due to you-know-what. With an MSRP of $24.99 for
a 750mL bottle, the whiskey is a friendly price. (Of course, that pricing is
for national sales, so it's probable that we could get a lower price in the New
Orleans market.) "The goal was to create an American whiskey that hits all the
marks and is a good entry-level whiskey for the masses," Bohlinger said.
In my opinion, William Grant & Sons succeeds in that
endeavor. The whiskey is extremely approachable. Even at 90 proof, it's an easy
sipper, with the heat building up smoothly in the finish. It finishes spicy,
with notes of cinnamon and creamy nutmeg. And when I say "cinnamon," I mean in
a subtle and polished way, not cartoony or sweet. To be completely blunt, this
bourbon is nice enough to drink neat or on the rocks, but not so fancy you'd
feel guilty using it in a highball or an Old Fashioned.
"It's like comfort food," Bohlinger noted with a smile. "Like,
it's always gonna be there."
ESPRESSO TONIC
2 oz (parts) Fistful of Bourbon
¾ oz (parts) cold-brew coffee
½ oz (part) simple syrup
2 oz tonic water
Combine ingredients (except tonic) and shake well. Strain over ice in a rocks glass. Top with tonic. Garnish with a lemon twist.
