Augusta Old Route 8 Single Barrel 8 Year Old Limited Edition Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

THE TALE

Augusta Distillery was founded in 2018 by Lalani and Lance Bates, and Ryan and Jamie Edwards with the aim to release only cask strength single barrel Kentucky bourbons (which means there can be no bad barrels released) with a minimum age statement of 8 years. They started by sourcing Bourbon from the usual suspects and are distilling their own spirit to move away from having to source.

It's likely we know about Augusta because they won Best Bourbon at the 2023 SFWSC, which is like Sullivan's Cove winning World's Best Whisky in 2014 due to the prominence of the award and the fact that it was for a single barrel haha.

But it wasn't a one-off and the feedback from the whiskey community in the US is that they're continuing to release great casks and at reasonable prices. The sweet spot for Bourbon enthusiasts!

This particular barrel is an 8yo, released under their Old Route 8 label (named after a highway of course), and like all their releases is cask strength and unfiltered.

THE TASTE (THANKS JACK FROM HONEY BARREL)

• Aroma: Baked apples, vanilla, nice spice like cinnamon. Dark caramel.
• Taste: Vintage cola, some cherry with lots of brown sugar, oak and a nice spice to balance it out.
• Finish: Thick viscosity which carries into the finish. Cherry comes back with the brown sugar and caramel.
• Summary: More rounded than other 8s. A nice proof that brings the flavour but without the heat kick. Just a great example of Kentucky bourbon.

THE TECHS

• Bottler: Augusta Distillery
• Distillery: Suspected Barton
• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: 8 years, 7 months
• Mashbill: 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% Malted Barley
• ABV: 54.15%
• Bottes: 195
• Vol: 750ml
• Price $197.10 Rewards ($219 RRP)