In the wide world of whiskey, there are huge corporate brands and many start-ups distilling and/or sourcing spirits. But there is a clear shining star right in the middle of these United States, packing a punch with a 100% grain-to-glass run operation. Let me introduce you to the Garcia family, proud founders and established guardians of Union Horse Whiskey Co. The operation was founded in 2010 by four siblings from a third-generation Mexican-American family with deep roots in the heartland of America. This hardworking team is unconditionally devoted to the craft of producing excellent quality whiskeys, all by hand, and all without big corporate wallets to lean on.
On my most recent visit to Kansas City, I toured the Union Horse facility and met with Patrick Garcia, brother and head distiller. In this modest production space, it was easy to witness each and every step of the production process. All whiskeys have a common distilling story, but Patrick has a few tricks up his sleeve that set Union Horse apart from the pack.
To begin, all but the rye grain is locally sourced, and all grains are milled onsite. Their central United States location provides a great advantage in obtaining the freshest grains, with less time in transportation or storage facilities. Patrick also hand cuts the heads, hearts and tails, making their spirits a truly handcrafted distillate. In fact the only automated system in the production facility is the cooler jackets on the fermentation tanks. The barrel entry proof is 110, and all whiskeys spend a minimum of five years in naturally-dried barrels from Independent Stave Company. Barrels are not rotated at Union Horse, and the storage facility is non-climate controlled. Current production is a respectable six barrels a week, which allows for full control over the ultimate quality in your glass.
Exploring the current lineup, every Union Horse expression is worthy of a neat pour, and then a second pour for good measure. Even the White Whiskey grabbed my attention, as a very versatile cocktail ingredient. Union Horse offers both a Reserve and a Barrel Proof Bourbon, the same of their ryes, along with an American Four Grain, Single Malt and the newest member of the core line-up, a Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon release, all readily available in several U.S. markets.
Patrick and his team have released a few coveted limited-edition whiskeys, a 10-year bourbon and a 10-year rye to celebrate their respective milestone barrel anniversaries, and most recently a Malbec Finished Reserve Straight bourbon. While in town, I did search out a bottle of that 10-Year Anniversary Rye. This will be a brilliant companion to another Union Horse special release, “Chicago Swarm,”,a 140-proof flavor explosion bottle pick that I acquired a few years ago. If you frequent the Kansas City area, Union Horse hosts regular tastings, check out the “Visit” tab on their website, and scroll down to the calendar to see all upcoming events.
When you pick up a bottle of Union Horse Reserve Bourbon, try my companion cocktail “Hay Girl, Hay!,” it will put you right on the farm in KC!
Union Horse Reserve Straight Bourbon
46% ABV / 92 Proof
A small batch sour mash artisanal whiskey, distilled from a recipe of corn and rye in a copper potstill, non-chill filtered and barreled at 110 proof, then aged a minimum of five years in new Missouri oak barrels.
Sweet wheat and nougat on the nose, delicious flavors of allspice and Brach’s caramels (you know the ones), with a medium finish of tingling cinnamon and a bit of vanilla taffy. A perfect level of heat to enjoy neat, or shine right through in a stirred cocktail.
