California-based Lynxx Spirits has announced their latest product Lynxx Single Barrel Bourbon. For those unfamiliar with Lynxx Spirits (myself included), they are a woman owned company out of California and boasts that the single barrel straight bourbon was made by 'an all-female team with a desire to create a delicious bourbon that is feminine and empowering.'
Rachel Svoboda, Founder of Lynxx, says:
My mission has always been to thoughtfully build businesses and products that support women. After twenty-years of working in advertising to build businesses for other people, I decided it was time to create my own product. Lynxx Spirits was born from my desire to create a custom empowering product that makes a statement.
In terms of the bourbon, it comes in at 80 proof (40% alcohol) and carries an MSRP of $79.99. The bourbon comes in a bottle resembling an antique perfume bottle with white etching and a crystal topper. The mash bill is made up of of corn (70% estimated), wheat (16%), and malted barley (14%). I reached out in regards to if/when this would be available in Ohio and they responded that it can be ordered in our state through the Speakeasy Company... I'm not sure of the legality of this due to our ridiculous liquor laws so proceed at your own risk.
The tasting notes from the company are:
"A rich flavor with notes of creamy vanilla and caramel on the nose, all underscored by familiar spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. The wheat smooths out the flavor and it retains the complexity of a single barrel straight bourbon."
My Take
First off, I love that women are getting more involved in bourbon and that there is a bourbon aimed at that market.
In terms of the bourbon itself... I think $80 for an 80 proof bourbon is really expensive... especially with no age statement. I also question how this bourbon is any different than other bourbons... especially when there are multiple bourbons with almost identical mash bills... for instance, Maker's Mark is rumored to have the exact mashbill as Lynxx and Smooth Ambler isn't far off with 73% corn, 12% barley, and 15% wheat.
When I asked friend of the site Amy what she thought, her response was "Ladies bourbon already exists... it's called Smoked Maple Knob Creek."
To sum up my final thoughts... love the idea of having more women involved... but I'm not buying that this is a material different bourbon that would justify the price...
What do you think? Drop a note in the comments.
Source: Lynxx Spirits
My take on this is similar to yours, love that women are getting more involved in whiskey, but... Bourbon specifically catered to women sounds gimmicky to me. Male or female, there is a bourbon for everyone, you either like it or you don't. Also, at $80 for an 80 proof the value proposition isn't really there for me.
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to see the label and see where they say the juice is distilled and bottled.
ReplyDeleteI googled the company/bourbon and it seems the juice is sourced from a North Carolina distillery. I'm all for supporting distillers of any stripe but i want to support those who are adding to the craft. I'm not a fan of marketing people who are buying sourced whiskey and trying to pawn it off like they're putting in 16 hour days sweating through each stage of the distillation process.
I third that $80 for an 80 proofer is out of balance.
California Dreaming, on such a winters day.
ReplyDeleteBuy the hype and the cachet of woo for a mere 80 bucks!