SOUTHERN / AMERICAN / PACIFIC WINE & SPIRITS® Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea – 6045574398111

Distillery Notes:

The Jefferson’s Ocean: Aged at Sea takes older bourbon barrels and brings them on a voyage through various ports around the world. 

Jefferson’s Ocean Aged At Sea Bourbon is matured in American oak casks for approximately seven to eight years on land, before the casks are placed on a ship and allowed to rest for another five to ten months at sea. At sea, the bourbon and oak casks are forced to mingle with each other as the ship rolls back and forth over the water. In addition, the temperature and barometric pressure fluctuations during the sea voyage cause the oak staves to expand and contract, and allow the bourbon to extract more of the tannins and flavor from the oak during its maturation. 

The driving force behind OCEAN Voyage 24 was to introduce a New Experiment to the Jefferson’s OCEAN franchise. On all other voyages, the bourbon traveled across the equator several times, experienced hot and cold weather in the North Atlantic and South Pacific and seas that ranged from calm to violent. The OCEAN Voyage 24 Experiment would test the effect of high heat, all the time. OCEAN Voyage 24 spent all of its time at sea in the Caribbean where the air temperatures were always hot. The containers on board served as “Heat Ovens” as the bourbon visited exotic ports of call throughout the Caribbean and Central America. Throughout the voyage, the humidity was tropical and the average temperature inside the containers was 93.82° F, reaching a maximum of 124.52° F.

Storm activity in the Caribbean started earlier than normal, went dormant for a while then came back strong with eight named tropical depressions thus far. Storm Elsa crossed our path but all other activity passed to the north or west of the course. The waters surrounding Voyage 24 were for the most part quiet but, the sea is never still. The constant motion of the water, tropical humidity and high heat encountered during the Voyage 24 experiment has resulted in a bourbon that is both unique and exotic. Caramelization and enhanced tones of vanilla extracted from the wood give it a sweet taste, mellow pallet and laid back finish.

Awards/Reviews:

Gold – Ascot Awards 2022

“Aromas of chopped pecan and maple meet flavors of oak, peaches, butterscotch and a crack of black pepper.”

91 Points, Excellent/Highly Recommended – Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2022

“A beautiful pour that shows a shimmering golden hue and has an alluring bouquet of caramel candies, worn leather, vanilla cream, and spiced walnuts. Tasted the whiskey has a freshness that recalls citrus zest and perhaps even a bit of salty minerals.”

“A bit warm on the nose, there’s a strong popcorn component but also plenty of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of baking spice. There’s more going on on the palate, including some orange peel, butterscotch, and gingerbread notes. With time in glass the sweeter elements become more pronounced, though a vein of toasty oak runs through it all. Nice stuff.” – Drinkhacker

“A nice, pleasant bourbon with nothing out of place. Well rounded notes of layered sweetness (caramel, vanilla, maple syrup and a hit of sweet corn), honeyed orchard fruit, and spiced with cinnamon and evergreen. Soft, soothing finish.” – Whisky Advocate