 image via Whitney Morris/The Whiskey Wash Show When Jefferson’s Ocean: Aged at Sea bourbon first splashed on the scene in 2012, aging bourbon on an ocean-bound ship seemed a preposterously novel idea. In a Food Republic article on the matter, Jefferson’s Bourbon co-founder, Trey Zoeller, aged three barrels of Jefferson’s bourbon on M.V. Ocean for four years while the crew traveled the Pacific Ocean tagging sharks for research. The four-year experiment revealed that temperature fluctuations, salt water air exposure, and constant motion of the ship created a unique flavor profile for the bourbon. Due to these conditions, Jefferson’s describes the results as a dark bourbon, with caramel flavors reminiscent of a dark rum, and a briny, savory flavor due to the salt-water air that resembles an Islay Scotch. Following the success of the initial release, Jefferson’s grew the Ocean product line beyond its humble three-barrel beginnings. Now, Jefferson’s commercialized the process by shipping hundreds of barrels around the world. For a typical barrel, Jefferson’s states that the barrel crosses the equator at least four times and visits over 30 ports on a voyage. With the increased volume, Jefferson’s makes periodic releases of Ocean bourbon, and some bars and high-end liquor stores even carry single barrel selections (including some cask strength releases). While Jefferson’s entered a deal with Kentucky Artisan Distillers in 2015, Jefferson’s traditionally sources its bourbon from different distillers. With that in mind, some releases of Jefferson’s Ocean include the Kentucky straight bourbon designation, while other releases, such as the subject of this review, include only the straight designation (no Kentucky reference). Moving on to the important issues, let’s see how Jefferson’s Ocean batch number 14 holds up. Tasting Notes: Jefferson’s Ocean: Aged at Sea BourbonVital Stats: The subject of this review, Jefferson’s Ocean batch number 14, clocks in at 90 proof. As mentioned above, this batch carries only the straight bourbon designation, so it is safe to assume that at least some non-Kentucky bourbon found its way into this batch. Jefferson’s Ocean retails for $80 to $90. Appearance: In a glass, Jefferson’s Ocean appears a medium honey brown. Nose: Since Jefferson’s sources bourbon, the mash bill is unknown. However, the nose for this particular batch lines up with rye grain recipe bourbon with strong floral notes that balance with salted caramel. While I initially chalked up Jefferson’s claims of similarity to an Islay Scotch to marketing fluff, there is certainly a soft salt and light smoke note mixed with the caramel that I cannot recall encountering in any other bourbon. Palate: Further supporting my suspicion that this particular batch of Jefferson’s Ocean includes mostly rye grain mash bill bourbon, the front of the palate leads off with floral notes, citrus notes, and a light black pepper spice. In the mid palate, those flavors taper off and the bourbon sweetens with caramel driving most of the flavor. Similar to the nose, soft salt and smoke combine with the caramel, and the finish tapers off with a light dry note of oak combining with the predominant caramel. To me, the nose seemed to give off more of the possible characteristics derived from aging the barrels at sea than the palate. In addition, the smoke and salt notes were more pronounced upon opening a fresh bottle. After sitting in the glass for 15 minutes, those notes seemed to diminish. Final Thoughts & Score:
With all that in mind, certainly give Jefferson’s Ocean a try if you see it at a bar. However, if you’re interested in the flavor profile noted above, look for a cask strength release, as that will likely have more pronounced characteristics derived from the sea aging process. NEW YORK, June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jefferson's Bourbon introduces an all new, national advertising campaign for Jefferson's Ocean®, one of the fastest growing American Whiskeys in Pernod Ricard's North America portfolio. Aged at the Mercy of the Sea embodies the brand's adventurous and pioneering mindset, and captures the essence of Jefferson's unique approach to the whiskey aging process. Consumers will embark on their own voyage and get a hint of Jefferson's distinct flavors through this immersive campaign. Jefferson’s Bourbon Introduces All New Creative Campaign: Aged at the Mercy of the SeaAged at the Mercy of the Sea was shot in part on the ocean-faring research vessel OCEARCH. Enjoying a glass of whiskey with OCEARCH founder and friend from Kentucky, Jefferson's founder Trey Zoeller observed the way the ocean movement affected the whiskey in their own glasses. The result was a hyper-aged, darker, richer, caramelized bourbon. Thirteen years and twenty-three voyages later, Jefferson's Ocean is an undeniable success. Jefferson's Ocean is a blend of straight bourbon that is hyper-aged at sea on ships that cross the Equator up to two times, visits five continents and anchor at over 25 ports on average while sailing. "This unique maturation process transforms our bourbon. The constant movement of the ocean and extreme temperature fluctuations as the ships traverse the globe deliver a whiskey that is dark, rich, and caramelized" said Trey Zoeller, Founder of Jefferson's. "Jefferson's Bourbon is a standout brand in the category and this campaign captures the right history, complex flavor and sea spirit that comes with every sip of Jefferson's Ocean," said Pam Forbus, CMO at Pernod Ricard North America. "Our goal is to establish that fact and differentiate the brand for consumers through memorable creative that gets everyone excited about the unique aging process and deliver on the adventurous mindset of our consumer. " Pernod Ricard acquired Jefferson's in 2019 and the brand has experienced dramatic expansion since it launched in 1997. To continue this trajectory and unleash the brand ethos and product proposition of this rich product, Pernod Ricard North America and Tombras, lead creative agency, have built a national campaign in partnership with acclaimed Director Ole Peters to bring this to life through an infusion of live footage and state-of-art technology/CGI. The campaign launches on May 26, 2021 and is inclusive of a 30-second spot supported by CTV/OTT, digital and social efforts. PLEASE SIP RESPONSIBLY Credits Trey Zoeller, Founder & Master Blender, Jefferson's Bourbon About Jefferson's Ocean Bourbon About Pernod Ricard Pernod Ricard Media Contacts SOURCE Pernod Ricard USA Related Links https://jeffersonsbourbon.com How is Jefferson's aged at sea?The Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea is sourced from 62 barrels of bourbon aged 6-8 years that were put on a container ship for 6 months, where they rocked and sloshed across the oceans stopping at ports of 5 different continents and making their way across the equator four times.
What does aged at the mercy of the sea mean?Aged at the Mercy of the Sea embodies the brand's adventurous and pioneering mindset, and captures the essence of Jefferson's unique approach to the whiskey aging process. Consumers will embark on their own voyage and get a hint of Jefferson's distinct flavors through this immersive campaign.
How rare is Jefferson's ocean?There are only 246 bottles of Ocean available. (Some of the barrels corroded and were rendered undrinkable, according to this article in the New York Times.)
Is Jefferson's Ocean aged at sea good?Out of 5, we rated it very highly at 3.31. Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea Bourbon ranks 47th overall in Bourbon.
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Why is Jeffersons aged at sea?
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