Custom Private-Label Bourbon
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Custom Private-Label Bourbon
You must be of legal drinking age to enter this site.
Please drink responsibly. Southern Specialty Spirits does not condone the excessive or irresponsible consumption of alcohol.
1854 Reserve Old Main Edition is a 6-year aged, 96 proof wheated Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey and the first private-label bourbon brand produced by Southern Specialty Spirits. Created to honor Wofford College and the community it has built since 1854, this release proved that organizations with passionate followings can build custom bourbon brands that generate real demand. Developed with the expertise of Wofford alum and master blender Dixon Dedman, every element of this bottle, from the barrel selection to the hand-numbered labels, was designed to reflect the identity of the organization behind it.
96
6 Years
48%
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Wheated
New Charred American Oak
Tasting Notes
The Old Main Edition opens with a golden hue that coats the glass beautifully, hinting at the richness within. The nose delivers cinnamon, fresh wood shavings, and a warm baked-cookie note reminiscent of snickerdoodle. On the palate, a smooth cherry compote emerges alongside subtle pastry sweetness, delivering a mouth-coating texture that is both satisfying and refined. The finish is medium in length, smooth, lightly oaked, and balanced.
Behind the Bottle
1854 Reserve is the result of a true Wofford alumni collaboration: the founder, master blender, investor, lawyer, graphic designer, label designer, distributor, and retail partners all have ties to Wofford College. The bottle design features a late-1800s rendering of the original campus on the label and the college's initials on the wax seal, sourced from the school archives. Founder Garrett Steck hand-numbered each bottle, giving every release a personal touch. In addition to creating a product that reconnected Wofford alumni, 1854 Reserve donates a portion of sales proceeds to the school, connecting alumni with future generations of students. Every bottle sold online during the initial release sold out in ten days.
What People Are Saying
“1854 Reserve gets it right. The initial nose is spot on with tempting aromas of toffee, vanilla, and apricot, no foul esters gumming up the works. The palate subtly supplements those flavors with cherry and saddle leather. 1854 Reserve comes in at 96 proof but drinks lower (I had guessed 90 in my sample tasting). This was one smooth bourbon.”
“Drinks very well for the 6-year age statement. You're not getting those grain-forward, young whiskey notes. But you also aren't getting low viscosity, high tannin like you can with some older whiskey. I enjoy the sweetness of wheated bourbon, and this delivers that sweetness on par with some of my favorite sub-100 proof wheaters, such as Maker's Mark and Larceny Small Batch, while holding its own uniqueness. Where this bourbon outshines is in the depth of flavor profile (that baked cookie note), mouthfeel (more mouth coating), proof point, and finish. A very refined wheated bourbon, and excellent first outing for 1854 Reserve.”
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