Belle Meade Bourbon is a relatively new bourbon brand to the whiskey world with bottles having only been sold since in 2013. Or at least it seems new. In actuality, Belle Meade is an historic whiskey brand that was made in the late 1800s until Prohibition began early in Tennessee in 1909. And while whiskey that had been bottled with the Belle Meade label was sold for a few more years in neighboring states, the distillery which made it — Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery — ceased production and never recovered after Prohibition.
Cut to present day and descendants of Nelson’s Green Brier’s original distiller Charles Nelson, brothers Charlie and Andy Nelson, have resurrected the Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery in Nashville, Tennessee. Like many upstart distillers, the Nelson brothers needed a product to sell while they waited for their whiskey to mature. They settled on Belle Meade since it was one of the whiskey brands its owners contracted the original Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery to make. Therefore, having another distiller (MGP in Indiana) contract produce Belle Meade Bourbon seems fitting.
And while we no longer have to wait to purchase Tennessee whiskey at the revived Nelson’s Green Brier, this is an article focusing on the Belle Meade Bourbon portfolio. In addition to the flagship bourbon bottling, there have been other expressions released over the past few years. The most notable bottlings perhaps are the brand’s Cask Finish Series which sees bourbon finishing in barrels such as cognac, Madeira and sherry.
Below we’ll breakdown the Belle Meade Bourbon bottles with a brief tasting note along with our Distiller’s Community Ratings to help you decide on your next purchase.
Belle Meade Bourbon
Each of the bourbon bottlings in the Belle Meade portfolio uses a proprietary blend of high-rye bourbons with 30% rye in the recipe which is distilled by another distiller.
What to Know:
This is bottled without chill filtration for a fuller flavor at 90.4 proof.
What Our Experts Think It Tastes Like:
Very balanced and smooth with caramel corn sweetness, orange and vanilla, with just the right touch of leather and a spicy finish.
Avg US Price: $45
ABV: 45.2%
Community Rating: 3.82 out of 5 stars (963 Ratings)
Belle Meade Bourbon /Photo Credit: Belle Meade
Belle Meade Reserve Bourbon
Reserve was previously released as a cask strength bottling, but the brand has settled on a set proof of 108.3. It is still non-chill-filtered.
What to Know:
The bourbon is still made with a high-rye bourbon blend in small batches. The ages of the bourbons are typically 7-11 years old, but sometimes the barrels selected are older.
Avg US Price: $66
ABV: 54.15
Community Rating: 4.04 out of 5 stars (104 Ratings)
Belle Meade Reserve Bourbon /Photo Credit: Belle Meade
Belle Meade Cognac Cask Finish
What to Know:
This bourbon finishes its aging in a French Limousin cognac cask that formerly held Fine Champagne XO Cognac.
What Our Experts Think It Tastes Like:
Rye spice, mint, oak and brown sugar; finish is rich, hearty and long with a distinct cognac influence.
Avg US Price: $81
ABV: 45.2%
Community Rating: 3.82 out of 5 stars (142 Ratings)
Belle Meade Cognac Cask Finish /Photo Credit: Belle Meade
Belle Meade Madeira Cask Finish
What to Know:
The finishing barrels used here are Malmsey Madeira casks, the sweetest style of Madeira made.
What Our Experts Think It Tastes Like:
Rich with vanilla, dark red wine fruits, oak, clover honey and rye spice.
Avg US Price: $89
ABV: 45.2%
Community Rating: 3.86 out of 5 stars (224 Ratings)
Belle Meade Madeira Cask Finish /Photo Credit: Belle Meade
Belle Meade Sherry Cask Finish
What to Know:
The casks used to finish the blended high-rye bourbon are ex-oloroso sherry casks.
What Our Experts Think It Tastes Like:
Plenty of sherry and wine fruit with a caramel and vanilla sweetness.
Avg US Price: $108
ABV: 45.2%
Community Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars (359 Ratings)
Belle Meade Sherry Cask Finish /Photo Credit: Belle Meade
Other Belle Meade Bourbon Bottles to Know:
Belle Meade Single Barrel Cask Strength
Belle Meade has a single-barrel cask-strength series which features well-aged bourbon bottled at cask strength without chill filtration. Significantly, these bottles do have age statements with past releases being in the 9-12 year range. Of course, as is the nature with single cask releases, expect the proof and taste to vary from barrel to barrel.
Craftsman Cask Collection
The Craftsman Cask Collection features a series of unique, experimental cask-finished bourbons in small quantities. For example, previous releases include Honey Cask Finish, Peach Cask Finish, Tequila Cask Finish and Black Belle, which is named for the stout beer made at Nashville-based Blackstone Brewing Company. On the negative side, due to its limited nature, the collection is a distillery-only release.
Ready to do your own Belle Meade Bourbon comparisons?
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