Today we’d like to introduce you to Clinton Dugan. Them and their team share their story with us below:
A “shortbarrel” is a whiskey barrel that, upon bottling, has lost over 50% of its contents to angel’s share. Due to higher contact with air and oak, the whiskey inside ages differently, developing in a unique and powerful way.
The select few bottles that come from it tell a story of withstanding aging, evaporation, and Kentucky seasons – the perfect pour that battled the elements and survived. Only a select few get a taste before it’s gone forever. What started as a small group in 2016, the Shortbarrel name has become a staple on the shelves of home bars- assigned only to the barrels that meet our group’s high standards. We welcome you to our club and hope you appreciate as much as we do that no two barrels will be the same.
Cheers to high standards and great friends. Welcome to Shortbarrel.
We are on the shelves of some of your favorite stores and bourbon bars in GA! We are distributed by Empire in GA.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. Launching a whiskey brand in the state of GA is anything but easy. Who knew you couldn’t just do paperwork on your own, lol. We found out quickly we needed some major legal help upon startup. We thought we had it all figured out and then all the supply issues started. Rather it was glass, paper, glue for labels, labor, etc. we have had to navigate everything that has been thrown at us. We hopefully have that all behind us and it’s going to be a big year for releases!
As you know, we’re big fans of Shortbarrel Bourbon. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Shortbarrel was started by a group of three friends, Adam Dorfman, Clinton Dugan and Patrick Lemmond. The three of us have day jobs and turned a passion into a business in 2020. We bring the perfect mix of sales, marketing and finance to our startup, with a side of everything whiskey.
What sets us apart is our ability to say no to crap whiskey. We taste everything even before we think about what we are going to do with the whiskey. If it’s not worthy of going to our bar or yours, we aren’t releasing it, even if that means we lose money. We are most proud of our products in the market, we are providing great whiskey at affordable prices to the GA market. We had a very special Kentucky 15-year-old bourbon win a Gold Medal over the summer of 2021. That can still be found all over the city in stores and several restaurants.
The Founders Reserve, 114.7 proof Kentucky Bourbon.
Winner of Gold at New York World Wine & Spirits Competition!
No crazy marketing story behind this one. We had the opportunity to taste through several tanked small batches of NCF, barrel-proof 100% Kentucky Straight Bourbon. We found one that we fell in love with, and that’s what’s inside this bottle.
In true Shortbarrel fashion, we found a whiskey we love and believe you will too. It’s a bourbon we will pour over and over again. This batch was limited to just 1340 bottles and will be available in GA and online.
Mashbill: 78.5% Corn, 13% Rye, 8.5% Malted Barley
With an oak, cinnamon stick, vanilla nose, this bourbon will get the senses going quickly. On the first sip, you get a complex mixture of mature, dry flavors; leather, with fruit & spice. Think of tart cherry with oak, pepper, and hints of chocolate. The finish lingers and reminds you of the proof, as the fruit and spice notes leave you wanting more.
MSRP: $199.99
Our rye is also very special to us, as it’s our first true all-year-round release.
An Entry into Rye
Basketball, Racing, and Rye Whiskey are just a few of the things for which Indiana is known.
When we started researching ryes for our first Shortbarrel expression, we knew where to look first.
Although non-age stated, release #3 is a blend of non chill filtered MGP rye barrels, all over five years old and blended to our specifications.
We feel that 101 is the perfect proof to hold up to cocktails, sip neat, or enjoy on the rocks. The spice blends with a subtle sweetness to dance this blend across all of your taste buds.
Tasting Notes
Mouth: Caramel, vanilla, slight mint, surprisingly sweet while holding onto the signature Shortbarrel bold, lingering spice that has become our trademark.
Aroma: Rye spice hits you quickly and then fades into lightly floral notes. Slight notes of baking spices, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, and mint candy in the background.
Finish: Despite a lower proof for some. The long, spice finish remained. It consisted of clove, rye spice, almond, oak, and tobacco leaf.
MSRP: $59.99
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Simply put patience aka people do not work as fast as we do. Remember a good whiskey takes years to develop!
Pricing:
- Rye 59.99
- Bourbon (15 year) 199.99
- Experimental Series 59.99-89.99
Contact Info:
- Email: clinton@shortbarrelbourbon.com
- Website: https://shortbarrelbourbon.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shortbarrelwhiskey/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shortbarrelbourbon
- Other: https://linktr.ee/shortbarrel
Image Credits
All shortbarrel owned.
