Sips & Sites & Bites

When it comes to rarity, the makers at Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling have it down pat. And with a new release, Indigo’s Hour Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 18 Years, they’ve provided a testament to the artistry of American whiskey craftsmanship. 

A statement from Orphan Barrel notes that they drew inspiration from one of nature’s most impressive transitions, Indigo’s Hour, which symbolizes the balance between transformation and tradition. It’s the time of day between dusk and dark, when the sky is at its most beautiful. 

And like the lifecycle of a butterfly, which they’ve chosen to represent their whiskey through the bottle’s label design, the bourbon undergoes a metamorphosis of its own, evolving as it journey’s from barrel to bottle with care and attention to detail. 

The whiskey was distilled in Indiana, aged in Kentucky, and bottled in Tennessee. “Indigo’s Hour is perfect for those who appreciate the complex flavors and craft behind American-bourbon making,” said Master Blender Andrew Mackay. “Its liquid and bottle label symbolizes how the Orphan Barrel collection continues to evolve from its predecessors, making it a true collectible for those who appreciate fine spirits and rare whiskies.”

Indigo’s Hour comes from a mash bill of 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malt, and it’s aged more than 18 years in charred white oak barrels. This results in a straight bourbon whiskey that evolves on the palate, with creamy vanilla notes on the nose, followed by toasted oak, baking spices and red fruit. The whiskey has subtle hints of caramel, honey, rich vanilla, and spice that lead to a velvety finish with a touch of oak.

The bottle design pays homage to the spirit’s origin story, and draws inspiration from the crops, flora and fauna native to the heartlands of America’s whiskey regions. The spirit animal is the Pipevine Swallowtail, the most colorful butterfly to call Indiana home, which is where this rare whiskey is distilled. 

Part of the label was inspired by The Witches Tree, a legendary maple tree found in Louisville, Kentucky near where Indigo’s Hour was aged. The landscapes depicted in the background were inspired by the creek that flows among the rivers and marshlands in Cascade Hollow, Tullahoma, Tennessee, where Indigo’s Hour was bottled.

The special edition bottle is available at retailers nationwide with a suggested retail price of $225 for a 750ml bottle, and you can buy it online at ReserveBar.

For more information, check out Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Co. here or on Instagram @orphanbarrel.