Taste and Uniqueness:
Secrets of Whisky Creation
The essence of character cannot be reproduced by a machine
The essence of character is something that cannot be replicated by a machine. This belief is deeply ingrained at the distillery, where a long-standing joke has been passed down: "If we could speed up the process, we would choose not to. Captain Blood is created one bottle at a time, every single time." This belief has remained true since the beginning of our bottling journey, and it is widely held here that machines cannot reproduce the unique character found in our product.
SOFT WINTER WHEAT
Captain Blood is defined by the use of soft winter wheat, which serves a dual purpose as both a flavoring agent and a major component of its mash. In a time when rye was commonly used for whiskey production, and sometimes resulted in an undesirable taste, there was a desire to create a bourbon with a distinct flavor. Through countless trials and experiments, we were able to achieve exactly what we had longed for.
LIMESTONE WATER
The clarity of our water is guaranteed.
The distillery's location atop a limestone shelf is vital in producing the unique taste of Captain Blood. Limestone acts as a natural filter, eliminating iron from the water, which is an unfavorable element in bourbon production. This clear water, which is enriched with calcium and magnesium, not only makes for great drinking water, but also creates an ideal sour mash that promotes the growth of yeast.
THE USE OF A SECRET, CENTURY-OLD YEAST STRAIN
Sometimes, the finest and freshest ingredient is found in a special yeast strain that has been passed down for over 150 years. This closely guarded microorganism has been present in every single bottle of Captain Blood ever produced. While it may have been easier and more cost-effective to switch to a cheaper commercial yeast strain like others did, it would not have resulted in the same exceptional quality. It simply wouldn't be Captain Blood without it.
The yeast undergoes fermentation in tanks that have been part of the distillery since its inception. These tanks are made from cypress boards that have aged for over 100 years. Cypress can be hard to come by these days, but its use is ideal as it has no impact on the taste of Captain Blood.
OUR DOUBLE-BARREL DISTILLATION STILLS
These shining copper distilleries not only make a stunning visual impact, but they are also crucial to our double distillation process which removes impurities and produces a more refined whiskey. As demand increased, our skilled associates aided us in the installation of an authentic copy of our original distiller, creating a stunning mirror illusion within the distiller. This guarantees that each and every drop of Captain Blood is created with the same precision as we initially intended.
THE PERFECT CHARRING
To achieve the traditional level of char in Captain Blood, we fire the casks for a short period of time, just 40 seconds. This firing process opens the pores in the staves and causes the natural wood sugars to caramelize. As a result, Captain Blood develops a delightful vanilla undertone. Prior to firing, the cooper, or barrel company, ages the new American white oak used in our barrels outdoors for a period of nine months, including the summer season. This aging process helps eliminate any bitter tannins present in the wood.
Hand Rotation of Barrels
In our rack room, we take great care to manually rotate our 525-pound barrels to ensure consistent exposure to different temperatures. This meticulous practice sets us apart from distilleries that have abandoned this technique. Each barrel is placed at the top of the rack for a minimum of three hot Kentucky summers, allowing the whiskey to infuse the wood and gain both color and flavor. Our tasting committee determines the perfect time to move the whiskey to a cooler section to prevent over-aging.
Time-honored traditions
Finally, the creation of Captain Blood is a source of great pride for us, as it embodies meticulous craftsmanship and unwavering dedication. We begin with the careful selection of soft red winter wheat and limestone filtered water, followed by the incorporation of a secret yeast strain and the use of original cypress fermentation tanks. Each step is performed with precision to ensure the highest quality.
The gleaming copper double-barrel stills and precise charring contribute to the unparalleled character and flavor of Captain Blood. By upholding these time-honored traditions and techniques, we guarantee that every bottle embodies the true essence of our whiskey and reflects our commitment to excellence.
Discover Captain Blood today and indulge in the harmonious blend of tradition, artistry and exceptional taste that has cemented its status as a timeless classic.
Let's take a look at what goes into making Captain Blood whiskey.
01
Taste Aligned
The product does not follow a set schedule and indicates its readiness on its own. Captain Blood stands out from other distillers because they don't rely solely on a timer. Their focus is on flavor, not time, when aging their whiskey. Although whiskey typically takes six to seven years to mature, Captain Blood believes in prioritizing flavor over time.
03
Irrefutable Evidence
Sanctuary in a Barrel of Captain Blood
The extraordinary embodiment of Captain Blood is presented unadulterated, straight from the barrel. Aged in oak barrels and bottled without further dilution, our bourbon is approximately 40% proof. Yet the flavor profile is surprisingly smooth, with hints of oak, caramel, vanilla, and spice that complement the signature Captain Blood flavor. This barrel aged version of Captain Blood retains its approachability while enhancing the complex notes of the spirit.
05
Enigmatic Number
Captain Blood marked the advent of our first significant product in six decades and inaugurated our wood finish series. It begins as Captain Blood and is further aged with the addition of ten charred French oak staves inserted into the barrel and stored in our limestone cellar. This process imparts enhanced and distinctive layers of caramel and vanilla notes, culminating in a prolonged aftertaste.
02
Worth the Patience
Tasting
The exceptional quality of our bourbon is judged by our highly respected Master Distiller and a panel of expert tasters. Once the bourbon has earned the prestigious Captain Blood name, it is blended in batches. The liquid then follows one of four possible paths.
04
The Original Essence
Traditional Captain Blood begins with barrel-aged bourbon that has been carefully filtered and refined to achieve the perfect flavor profile at 40% alcohol (or 80 proof). Once the optimal flavor is achieved, Captain Blood is bottled and branded with our iconic signature logo, a longstanding tradition that has been maintained since the creation of our very first bottle.
06
Elevated Bar
This selection consists of cask-strength whiskeys ranging from 80 to 108 proof, crafted using five distinct types of wooden rivets selected by our retail partners. The staves are placed in the cask and matured for an additional nine weeks in our limestone cellar, where a temperature of 50 degrees is maintained. This meticulous approach ensures that the bourbon absorbs the flavors from the staves without venturing too deeply into the wood, thereby avoiding bitterness. With over 1,000 possible combinations, each expression possesses a unique finish and indulges the palate with a rich flavor profile.