I wanted to be writing this and calling bullshit on the process. I wanted to say that the whole thing was a marketing gimmick and that Jefferson’s Ocean tasted like a normal 6-8 yr bourbon, that there were no hints of salt or brine and that it’s trip around the world on an oceanic research vessel was all for naught. I wanted to be able to say all of this… but I can’t.
To make this batch of Jefferson’s Ocean Trey Zoeller, Jefferson’s Master Blender, sourced 62 barrels of bourbon aged 6-8 years and then put them on a container ship for 6 months where the barrels rocked and sloshed across the oceans stopping at a total of 31 ports and making their way across the equator four times. The theory is that this constant movement of the liquid in the barrels ages (matures) the whiskey faster because more of the liquid is in contact with the wood more often.
Overall this is some seriously tasty bourbon. Rich and deep in character starting at the nose and surging through the finish there are strongly defined bourbon notes blending with some unique briny characteristics that give this sourced bourbon an identity all its own. I’m not fully convinced it’s worth the full price tag, but with a % of each bottle going towards Ocearch research I’m feeling better about it with each sip.
Jefferson’s Ocean: Aged at Sea Review
ABV: 45%
Batch: 21
Bottle: 0826
Price: $65
Distiller: ? / Jefferson’s source and blend their whiskey like High West. Though unlike High west they don’t disclose from where.
EYE
Amber caramel
NOSE
There isn’t any brine or salt in the nose just a big dose of well matured bourbon. This starts out with a healthy dose of bourbon spice followed by rich caramel and vanilla. Brown sugar, dark fruit (cherries in particular), orange zest, dark honey and oak. The aromas are sharp, rich and sweet; creating a wonderful nosing experience that reminds me of high quality wheaters.
TASTE
Bourbon spice and dark fruit are neck and neck coming onto the palate with caramel behind by an inch. Cinnamon pops and cherries float in and out and the oak sits like a support beam under the whole flavor profile. There is some vanilla, but it comes across as imitation vanilla and then there’s the salt. I was shocked to actually find some salty brine coating my tongue as it passed. It’s not a strong presence, but it’s definitely there.
FEEL
A bit hot (rough / burning), but completely manageable.
FINISH
Medium-long and filled with caramel, wood, salt and vanilla mixed with an ambiguous sweetness and tartness in what is easily the most unique finish I’ve had in a bourbon.
SCORE: 91/100
Ocean aged at sea, Voyage #12, My first Ocean but a long time Jefferson small batch fan. This was awesome. At $88 a bottle it’s a once every few weeks buy but was the best I have had and I have tried them all.
Oh that’s great to hear. Thanks for sharing Paul. cheers!
So, should I buy a bottle?
I just picked up a Jefferson Old Rum and…it’s OK. Not worth the ~70 they’re asking. It’s good, but not better than…….. you know? there’s not a heckuva lot of bourbons that I like which retail between 50-100….
Is that actually where we are? You better like Grandad or whatever 4Rose you can get because that’s all there is south of 180, or so.
Unfortunately we’re kinda heading that direction slowly. I haven’t had any of the recent expressions of this, but I really enjoyed the Batch 2 I got. Cheers!
How does one determine which batch is in the bottle? There is no label statement that I could find.
Based on the laser code you can see what year it was released and then reference it online.
Vikings have been aging their spirits this way for centuries. Linie Aquavit is the most famous in distribution. It is a very good tasting bourbon.
Picked up a bottle of #7 Cask Strength for $74.99 – apparently, Sherlock’s (ATL) sourced a whole barrel. Looking forward to tasting this one… ABV 56%
Oh nice, I’ve never had the CS version. Hope you enjoy it. Cheers!
I found Ocean to be a very solid bourbon, but the real star is the Jefferson’s Groth Cask Finish, which appears to be similar juice with different aging/finishing. Silky smooth, and much more refined. I highly recommend it, at least in regard to the current batches on shelves right now.
I might have to give that one a try at some point. Cheers!
FWIW: Linie, the Norwegian aquavit is also aged by putting it up in barrels, and shipping it to Australia AND BACK, crossing the Equator twice, which I guess is what the name refers to. If Linie tastes different from Aalborg, the Danish aquavit, it’s because of the botanicals used in each, not the sea voyage, in my opinion. I don’t think I’ve ever noticed Linie having any ‘briny’ notes, but its price is about the same as Aalborg or any other aquavit by the time I get it in central Illinois.
Jefferson is good.. But for 47 dollars less you can drink four roses yellow label.. It tastes better imo
nic article
I’ve just finished a gift of Jeffersons Ocean.. A good, marvelous bourbon. I don’t know the details, but don’t care.
A good drink. Think I’ll have another.
Cheers!
Yeah I have to agree with the above. Maybe I got a bad barrel but I contemplated pouring it out. The finish was very tart.I had to cleanse my palate with some Blantons
I recently discovered your site looking for reviews on Master’s Keep. I thought I would read your review on Ocean for comparison. Wow, it makes me wonder about your judgement. :) I tried Ocean at the 2015 Bourbon Classic here in Louisville. My buddy and myself didn’t even want to finish the sample taste given out. One of the bottom 3 bourbons I tasted at the Bourbon Classic this year. I might try it again if I run across anybody that wants to share, but I wouldn’t invest a dime in it when I can get so many other great bourbons. I do like the site though and plan to visit regularly.
Me, I like most all of my bourbon over ice or slightly watered. Never mixed, and almost never in a cocktail.
– Mike
Different tastes I guess :)
I haven’t had the latest (voyage 5), but if I get a chance I will so I can compare. This was Voyage 2 I believe
Drinking voyage 5 as I write. Excellent all-around, equal to V3 & V4. $69 Costco.
Nice and good to know. Cheers!
the 5th voyage is the best yet, I heard it’s aged on a barge sitting in the ocean, far cry from the original batch.
“Barge aged” ‘eh? I might have to track down a bottle and see how it compares to one that’s traversed the equator multiple times.
Cheers!
Had a splash of Voyage 3 at a local bar in Little Rock a while back; changed my life. Used to be a Basil and Knob Creek guy but splurged on Voyage 4 which I found just down the street. A little more burn, but just as great!
Nice, thanks for sharing!
So my wife picked up a bottle of the #4 on a routine trip to the store for a restock. I don’t usually drift from my regular Basil Hayden or Blanton’s that often. When I do i’m usually filled with regret. I enjoy light bodied, mild bourbons. How is this going to taste in comparison to my regulars?
If you’re a Basil & Blanton’s I think there’s a good chance you’ll like this one.
Cheers!
If you can sell this for $65 you must be getting it a lot cheaper than me. I own a liquor store and my cost is $63.45 a bottle.
I don’t sell it, but that’s the price I picked it up for here in Los Angeles.
Just purchased a bottle of Voyage # 6 I paid $85!!!
That’s not a bad price at all. Cheers!
I hear there first batch was the smoothest and best of all the batched. Had batch #1 in virginia 5 stare restaurant and was blown away. The finish was unbelievably smooth with a slight but plesent burn that tingles all the way down. I would pay double if i could find a bottle of batch 1. The reviews on other batches don’t seem to be the same bourbon.
I never had Batch 1, but I love this Batch #2. It’s a great bourbon, but I haven’t had any of the other batches since.
Hi. I like your latest blog post. I’m a big fan of whiskey in general. So much so we’ve started sourcing and aging coffee beans in whiskey barrels. Any chance you would be up for reviewing our coffee for your blog readers? I can send out some free samples to you. Awesome site by the way.
Let me know. Thanks.
John
Hey John…ill try your coffee beans and review for you….I’m in Lexington, Kentucky!
Got a bottle of voyage #4 from the wife; changed my whole view on Valentine’s day. Very impressed with what I assumed was just a marketing gimmick. Agree with your review of #2, I can honestly taste the effect the sea air had on these barrels. Salted caramel corn. Like the burn too.
I had nearly the same experience as Marcus, but with Voyage #3. I thought it was a gimmick, but was talked into it by a couple of people I trust. I opened it for some family that was visiting and everyone who tried it thought it was great. Poured some more a week later and it was even better. Nice wood, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, other spices and even some salt. A unique flavor profile for a bourbon, and very smooth. As a result, I will be getting some Voyage #4 when it is finally available in the rocky mountain region.
I just got a bottle of the first JO today! Lucked out can’t say where I found it but they had plenty at $90 a bottle! I’m going back w my fingers crossed on Monday! The comment that it burns??? Well any alcohol will burn some? Thank God, if not for the little burn and the little hangover from time to time well I’d slug it like iced tea??? To give a bourbon a bad review on having a burn is like hearing someone say ” my diet soda had an aftertaste? Well Duh! Grab a sprite only , but now it burns when cold! Lol! Help me please! Also a KY guy is gonna get his bourbon from Ky! Believe me there’s BIG pride with bourbon in our state!!! That’s an insult to the man!!!
That’s great you managed to find a batch 1, congrats. Though you completely lost me when you said I gave it a bad review because it burns. I gave it a 91… that’s a great score. That’s an A-, I really enjoy this bourbon, but it’s completely fair to say that it runs way hotter than other 90 proofers. That’s not a slight, just an observation.
I think it was Robert that said it burns, I replied to that comment also! I would like to know what Robert usually drinks?? I want some!!
Really disappointed in this $80 bourbon which was talked up by manager of Banks liquors in Millville DE. The reviews on these types of bourbons are great. Did I get a bad bottle? As I sipped the bourbon burned all the way down and lasted at least a minute. I don’t think any good bourbon should burn. The bourbon was Jeffersons ocean aged at sea and was a real letdown.
Interesting, mine doesn’t really have much burn to it. It is 90 proof so it should have a little kick to it, but not quite like what you’re describing. Did you try adding a splash of water to your glass? It’ll help tame the alcohol while also releasing some additional flavors and aromas. Hope that helps.
Awsome Bourbon
Was at mt Brothers House Christmas Eve
had this Bourbon was Totally Impressed
Jeffereson Ocean Aged was Great
Ive had Jefferson 82.3 & 90.2(liitle over Priced but Good too)
had this Ocean Aged and was in Love with all the
Pappy stuff going around I like this alot
Retailers said his allocated I can see why
It has a lot of vanilla Flavor
take it from me get this better than any pappy you tasted trust me
WOW!!! I drink this with no ice, no water, no chaser, no anything & think it is one of the best I’ve ever had!!! No burn what so ever!
taste is Great better than and Van Winkle I tasted
and its hard to get has ore vanilla flavor
was a hit at my Family Christmas Dinner
Is this Ocean #2 or Ocean #1? Ocean #3 just is being released here in New England, and I picked some up, interested to hear how you review the different releases…
Ocean #2. Never got to try Ocean #1 and haven’t picke dup Ocean #3, but if I do I’ll be sure to post about it and see how they differ.
Cheers!
Jefferson’s is sourced from MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, down the street from my place in NKY.
Hey Chris,
I’ve read that most of their new stuff is likely MGP, but some of their older stuff was likely sourced elsewhere. Though I’m relatively sure this falls into the former not the later.
Cheers!
Great!
Thank you. It’s really great stuff.
By law, bourbon must be:
Produced in the USA
Made of a grain mix of at least 51% corn
Distilled at less than 160 proof (80% ABV)
No additives allowed (except water to reduce proof where necessary)
Aged in new, charred white oak barrels
Aged for a minimum of two years*
well go ahead and give me there names cause like jack daniels ky proud will make them take the bourbon name off their label to be bourbon it has to be made by ky corn and ky spring water so there for it is not bourbon just plain old wiskey
Not true. It has to be manufactured and aged in Kentucky to be called Kentucky Bourbon. Bourbon is a broader term and can be produced anywhere in the USA so long as it meets the minimum legal requirements to be classified as such.
Quick question, given that this whiskey is matured “not in the USA” can it actually be called “bourbon”?
Thanks,
It can indeed. It just has to be distilled and barreled in the USA. NDPs like Cadenhead’s have taken barrels to Scotland to age and bottled them as bourbon. All it has to do is touch new charred oak on American soil and it can be called a bourbon. Technically speaking you could collect some new make from a still in a charred wooden bucket, pour it directly into a bottle and still call it Bourbon since there is no minimum age requirement for bourbon. Weird I know.
Bourbon has to age 2 years in new oak barrels.
No it doesn’t. To be considered a STRAIGHT bourbon it has to be aged for 2 years. There is no legal minimum aging requirement for bourbon. It can literally just touch new charred oak (not barrels, just a container – a bucket would work) for it to be called a bourbon. Though that might change with some of the new TTB rule changes.
Doesn’t need to be aged in KY as long as it’s arrows there.
kinda like “Champagne”, and it can be wonderful or suck, but, to be that product it must be done in France, from local grapes and carbonation must be in the bottle.
good stuff
if its real bourbon its made in kentucky if not its just a big fat fake…lol
Not true. There are lots of bourbons not from Kentucky.
Well said sir, well said! (I love the bit about stepping on a Lego).
Ignorant AND snobby is no way to go through life son. Colorado and Texas are producing some of the best bourbon in the world right now with Stranahans, Neversweat and Balcones – no question. But lot’s of public perception to be influenced and educated as you prove case in point.
Bourbon is essentially barrelled corn whiskey. It has to be 1. 51% Corn mash 2. Bottled at 80proof or higher. The rest is wiggle room.
Your probably the kind of guy that falls for that “Jack Daniels is not Tennessee Whiskey! (not just charcoal filtered bourbon. And will stumble over countless amazing Bottled In Bonds just to get a whiff of some Pappy you can brag about.
You’re everything that’s wrong with trends and white people – I hope you get stuck in traffic and step on a Lego.
Also Breckenridge, which out scored Pappy in taste test.
Ahhhhhhh. Breckenridge. Absolutely fantastic bourbon!
Wrong air….only Kentucky has bourbon.
Made the same outside Kentucky…just straight whiskey….
Sorry H, but you’re incorrect. Bourbon is an American product not a Kentucky product. Bourbon is made all over the USA today and was also made all over the USA before prohibition which caused the consolidation down into Kentucky.