Sazerac has officially launched AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey, a new brand that marks the company’s first flagship entry into the Tennessee whiskey category. While Buffalo Trace fans are best known for chasing bottles like Blanton’s, Eagle Rare, Weller, and E.H. Taylor, this latest release gives whiskey enthusiasts a glimpse at what Sazerac has been building outside of Kentucky.
AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey is produced at the AJ Bond Distillery in La Vergne, Tennessee. The distillery’s name honors Master Distiller Allisa Henley and the late John Lunn, two individuals who helped shape the project over many years.
The whiskey is crafted using a combination of pot still and column still distillates. Like traditional Tennessee whiskey, it undergoes charcoal mellowing through sugar maple charcoal before aging. The whiskey is then matured in Tennessee oak barrels and blended to create the final product.
Bottled at 95 proof, AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey carries a suggested retail price of $39.99. According to the distillery, drinkers can expect aromas of caramel corn and butterscotch, followed by flavors of baked apple, charred fruit, cinnamon, cream soda, and chocolate.
For many Buffalo Trace Daily readers, the bigger question is whether this bottle will eventually find its way to the Buffalo Trace Distillery Gift Shop.
As of now, there has been no announcement that AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey will be sold at Buffalo Trace Distillery. The initial launch is focused on Tennessee, with broader distribution expected later this year.
However, there are several reasons Buffalo Trace fans should keep an eye on this release. The distillery gift shop already carries a variety of Sazerac-owned products beyond Buffalo Trace bourbon, including Traveller Whiskey, Sazerac Rye, Wheatley Vodka, and other spirits from across the company’s portfolio. Over the years, Buffalo Trace has increasingly become a showcase for new Sazerac products and special releases.
At $39.99 and 95 proof, AJ Bond could offer visitors something different from the Kentucky bourbons typically associated with Buffalo Trace. It would also give fans an opportunity to compare a Tennessee whiskey produced by Sazerac against the company’s well-known Kentucky offerings.
While nothing has been confirmed, AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey seems like a natural candidate for the distillery’s additional offerings lineup at some point in the future.
For now, Buffalo Trace fans may simply want to familiarize themselves with the newest member of the Sazerac family. If the brand gains traction and expands distribution, don’t be surprised if AJ Bond eventually makes an appearance in Frankfort.
We’ll continue watching for any indication that AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey is headed to the Buffalo Trace Distillery Gift Shop.