Over the course of his career, Brad Paisley has notched nineteen chart-topping singles. On top of that, the RIAA certified all eleven of his albums gold or better. So, it’s safe to say that he knows all about great country music. Now, Paisley is showing the world that he knows a thing or two about bourbon as well. “Bourbon,” he said in a press release, “is like songwriting, it’s a blend of things coming together to make something incredible.”
Later this month, Brad Paisley will release his American Highway Bourbon on the world. He is the latest of many country stars to cross over into the booze business. However, Paisley’s bourbon brings a little something different to the table. He aged it in a semi-trailer that followed him on his 2019 tour. The spirits traveled a total of 7,314 miles and saw 25 states. About this new endeavor, Paisley said, “These are really special barrels that saw more of the United States than most people I know.”
This isn’t just an interesting gimmick, though. As the barrels followed Brad Paisley across the country, they experienced a range of different temperatures and humidity levels. As a result, the staves on the oak barrels expanded and contracted with the changes. This allowed more of the oak and char flavors to be infused into the finished product.
After aging Brad Paisley’s bourbon, it was time to blend it with more traditionally-aged spirits. The final product contains three additional Kentucky bourbons – a 13-year, a 15-year, and a 3-year went into the barrels. So, you’re going to get a wide range of notes in a glass of American Highway.
Brad Paisley Talks About American Highway Bourbon
Brad Paisley compared creating this bourbon to building a good guitar. “The right woods, the right craftsmanship, the right alchemy that makes this intangible, magical thing, and that’s what makes this so great to me.”
Paisley didn’t just get some bourbon, put it in barrels, and load it on a truck to slap his name on it. Instead, he worked closely with the award-winning Bardstown Bourbon Company to craft American Highway. The distiller creates custom blends of whiskey, bourbon, and rye for a wide range of owners. Each one is different. However, they all inspire critical acclaim. So, it seems that Brad Paisley’s bourbon had the best possible start.
Bardstown’s VP of New Product Development, Dan Callaway talked about the flavor profile of American Highway. He said it’s “Subtle, complex, spicy, well-traveled,” the last descriptor is one that most bourbons don’t get. He added that they like to say American Highway was “born in Kentucky, aged across America.”
Brad Paisley will release the second batch of American Highway in 2022. It was aged on the road during his 2021 tour.
