I'll be honest. I was surprised by Casey Jones Distillery. In a very good way. I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting, but when we got to the distillery, it was clear this was a distillery that is growing. A new Rickhouse, More expressions of whiskey than I had expected, a big still house, a square pot still, and...some great moonshiner history in a real person (not just from whiskey lore) ...Casey Jones.
The story behind Casey Jones was amazing. It's everything you would expect from a moonshiners history. And talking with A.J. (the grandson of Casey Jones) and his wife Peg, was like listening to a biography being narrated. It was story after story. (Chances are we are still editing all the stories they told us.)
A.J. (the head distiller) is as much a southern gentleman as you would expect. Soft spoken, understated but watch out....he's got these one liners that sneak up on you, and a mischevious streak in him. And Peg - she's a fireball. Do not underestimate Peg. Then there's Cody the third business partner who seems to be that common thread that helps pull all the pieces together.
But let's talk Square Pot Still and whiskey. Casey Jones built very unique Square Pot Stills (Look for the video on the still). It's what he was known for. I've never seen anything like it. The story of how A.J. and Peg obtained the last still Casey Jones built is great, and the story of how they got their brand new Square Pot still is equally amazing.
We tasted through so many expressions, I lost count. One of the expressions I was stoked to try was the 5 Year wheated bourbon. You can check out the video below of Cody pouring me a sample and hear what they are making and what I thought of it. Look for our follow-up video at the Bourbon Bunker.
As I was walking into the tasting room at one point, there was a gentleman sitting outside enjoying one of the drinks. I of course said hello and that it looked like a good drink. He responded with "It's great, but don't tell anyone, this is my happy place and I can always get this whiskey."
They have a pond out back with a picnic area. An open air tasting room plus an inside tasting room, and plenty of expressions to keep even the most discerning drinker interested. And, you can see the last original still that Casey Jones built.
Now, I know that most whiskey history is B.S. however this was not that. Casey Jones was a real person. A real moonshiner just a few generations back. The man even served some time in prison. "The original Whiskey University" as Peg called it.
We had a blast at this distillery, and I think it's one you need to check out if you are in the area. It's worth the drive and just relaxing the afternoon away. if You are lucky enough to see AJ walking through the tasting room, say hi, and ask him to tell you a story about his grandfather. It's good moonshiner turned legal history. Well worth the time and putting the whiskey on your taste buds.
What am I drinking while writing this?
Casey Jones First 5 Year Wheated Whiskey (of course) one of my new favorites!
Nose: Sweet bread, warmed carmel and butterscotch and brown sugar
Pallet: Good mouthfeel, Savory sweet with butterscotch, wheat and oak
Finish: Long, Bready notes, Oak, Buttery popcorn
Comments