Flavored whiskey is incredibly popular, with brands like Jim Beam Apple, Crown Royal Peach, and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire outperforming many straight bourbon, rye, and American single malt brands. Still, many whiskey drinkers don’t really go for these flavored options because they are usually pretty sweet and often taste like artificial versions of whatever they are supposed to emulate. There are a few exceptions, however, and the latest is a new premium flavored bourbon called Edmond’s Honor.
The company behind this new whiskey is Pronghorn, which is focused on developing Black-owned brands and working to diversify the spirits industry. Tracie Franklin, VP of supply and innovation at Pronghorn and a whiskey consultant and distiller in her own right, was the “liquid curator” for this new release, according to the brand. It’s named after Edmond Albius, an enslaved botanist from Madagascar who is credited with innovating the way that vanilla was cultivated in the 19th century by coming up with a method of manual pollination. “When we set out to create Edmond’s Honor, we wanted to represent Edmond Albius’ legacy through distinctive taste and embrace the essence of real Madagascar vanilla, an ingredient that he made possible,” said Franklin in a statement. “Every sip is a testament to Edmond’s discovery and the artistry shaping the future of bourbon.”
Edmond’s Honor starts out as a bourbon that was aged in new charred oak barrels, as is required by law. It was then transferred to Cognac casks that were seasoned with vanilla extract, creating a new range of flavors for the liquid to soak up. Finally a bit of vanilla was added to the blend as well, making this a flavored whiskey instead of a cask-finished bourbon. But this is not your typical flavored whiskey—rich notes of vanilla are front and center, as you’d expect, followed by flavors like honey, pecan pie, molasses, and brown sugar. Fortunately, this is not an overly saccharine and artificial flavor profile, and is one that should appeal even to those who generally avoid any type of flavored whiskey. And at 86 proof, there’s a touch of heat that is a welcome counterbalance to the whiskey’s vanilla focus.
Edmond’s Honor (SRP $55) is available now at select liquor stores in just three states—Georgia, New Jersey, and Florida—but it will be available more widely over the coming year. You can also visit the website to order a bottle now.
