Stellum Bourbon Whiskey Review

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Created by Barrel Craft Spirits and bottled under the Stellum Spirits brand name. The whiskeys used in this expression are sourced from Indiana (MGP), Kentucky, and Tennessee.
  
• MASH BILL: A blend of three Indiana bourbon mash bills, two of which are high-rye, with the third being almost exclusively corn (99% Corn and 1% Barley) which are mingled with older barrels from both Kentucky and Tennessee.
  
• AGE: NAS - No Age Statement but rumored to be based on around 5-6 year old barrels with 4-16 year old barrels mingled in as well from KY and TN.
  
• YEAR: 2021
  
• PROOF: 114.98 Proof (57.49% ABV)
  
• MSRP: $54.99

POPS' REVIEW OF STELLUM BOURBON

AFTER MUCH READER FEEDBACK, WE'VE DECIDED TO PRIORITIZE OUR TEAM'S PERSONAL OPINION AND NOTES ON EACH PRODUCT WE REVIEW. THEREFORE, WE'RE NO LONGER PROVIDING OUR OWN AROMA, TASTE AND FINISH TASTING NOTES. WE'LL RELY ON THE BRAND FOR THOSE DETAILS (SEE DOWN BELOW). INSTEAD, WE'LL PROVIDE YOU WITH OUR OPINION ON THE THINGS THAT MATTER MOST WHEN MAKING A DECISION TO TRY A NEW BOURBON.

SHARE WITH: It's a no brainer to share this with anyone that knows their bourbon but you should get major points by sharing this one with your boss or father-in-law. The nose alone will make them think you spent way more than $55 on this bottle.

WORTH THE PRICE: Absolutely when compared to so many other $55+ bottles hitting the market that aren't worth your time or money. It almost makes you forget you're not drinking a single barrel cask strength release.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. Stock up now. This one is going to fly off the shelves folks.

OVERALL: What can I say, I'm a sucker for that high-proof MGP bourbon nose. The moment I pour my first glass and took a whiff I was hooked. The aroma immediately took me back to a previous review I had done on the Remus Repeal Reserve Series IV. While not exactly the same, both had pronounced butter and leather notes that remind me of dusty whiskeys of days gone by.

The nose makes a ton of sense when you remember that Stellum Bourbon is a blend of three Indiana bourbon mash bills, two of which are high-rye, with the third being almost exclusively corn (99% Corn and 1% Barley) which are mingled with older barrels from both Kentucky and Tennessee.

On the palate Stellum Bourbon delivers a nicely balanced combination of sweet, spicy and savory. Compared to the Remus Repeal Reserve Series IV, Stellum is creamier and the oak tannins are kept in check resulting in a more sweet and subtle finish. By taste alone you'd never expect this one to weigh in at 114.98 proof. Drink carefully my friends.

Barrel Craft Spirits says that this release of Stellum Bourbon is not a batch but instead a core release of theirs that will remain consistent and available on a regular basis. I hope that is indeed the case as it's an excellent high-proof bourbon, that while not as complex as some similarly priced single barrels,  is certain to make experienced bourbon drinkers happy.

BRAND TASTING NOTES

Stellum Bourbon finds its flavor in the tension of three Indiana Bourbon mash bills, two of which are high-rye, with the third being almost exclusively corn. Older barrels from both Kentucky and Tennessee are folded in slowly, through a multi-step blending process. This brings added layers of depth and complexity, ultimately allowing us to round out a uniquely Stellum flavor profile.

NOSE: Intense clove and allspice immediately jump out of the glass, supported by creamy macadamia nuts and light tobacco. As the whiskey opens up, sweet aromas of honeysuckle, green apple, and nectarine begin to show, rounded off by toasted rye and oak.

TASTE: The tip of your tongue is met with a hint of vanilla, marshmallow, and cotton candy. The whiskey quickly transforms as it spreads across your tongue, revealing spicy notes of black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon baked apples. The spice is supported by tart underripe blackberry and apricot that contrasts perfectly against the initial sweetness.

FINISH: The spiciness of the palate carries over into the finish with candied ginger and more black pepper before slowly fading into a syrupy sweet honey.

STELLUM SPIRITS TOASTS THE MODERN WHISKEY DRINKER
WITH NEW LINE OF CASK-STRENGTH BOURBON & RYE WHISKEY

Breakthrough Brand Blended by Barrell Craft Spirits Embraces the Vitality
of American Whiskey to Create the Next Generation of Classic Whiskeys

Louisville, KY (March 29, 2021) – Stellum Spirits, a new national brand created to celebrate the modern-day whiskey drinker, today officially launched its inaugural flagship offerings, including bourbon (blue label), rye (green label), and single barrels, which are all bottled at cask strength. By embracing the vitality of American whiskey today, Stellum is focused on creating the next generation of classic whiskeys that include all facets of the American story in its vision.

The new brand is produced by Barrell Craft Spirits® (BCS), the award-winning independent blender and bottler of unique aged, cask-strength sourced whiskey and rum. Stellum strives to improve the flavor, process and ideals of traditional American whiskeys. American culture has always been about reaching towards modernity. Stellum looks beyond outdated assumptions of who whiskey drinkers (and whiskey makers) are to embrace that fundamentally progressive ethos.

The launch of Stellum Spirits is the result of BCS’ years of industry-leading innovation in American whiskey. This new project investigates the importance of nuance and micro differentiation in a paired down and minimalist setting. Stellum is designed to be clean, straightforward, and remarkably polished. This is whiskey factored down to its most defining essentials, blended and packaged with an eye towards clean lines and definition.

“We wanted to create a brand that brings American Whiskey into the modern age with simple elegant blends and single barrels selected with care and intention,” said Founder Joe Beatrice. “Our whiskeys are created through a rigorous process of study, observation, and experimentation. We are driven by progress, polish and—above all—attention to detail. We will always think critically about how to make our whiskey better.”

Joe is intimately involved with every step of the production process, using his exceptional palate to choose and create great spirits alongside Chief Whiskey Scientist Tripp Stimson, Chief Product Innovation Officer Will Schragis, and Assistant Blender Nic Christiansen.

Stellum Bourbon is bottled at 114.98 proof (57.49% ABV) while Stellum Rye is bottled at 116.24 proof (58.12% ABV). Both expressions have an SRP of $54.99 and are available at select retailers in 45 U.S. markets and online via the Stellum website at www.stellum.com.

Disclaimer: Stellum Spirits provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.