A 94-proof MGP bourbon finished by Georgia maturation and Clinton Dugan’s blending delivers surprising peach character, a satisfying finish, and one of the coolest collectible labels you’ll find.
Stats
- Age: 4-6 year
- Proof: 94 (47% ABV)
- Mashbill: 75% Corn │ 21% Rye │ 4% Malted Barley
- Origin: Ross & Squibb (MGP) — Lawrenceburg, Indiana
- Aging: Old Fourth Distillery — Atlanta, Georgia
- Finish: Straight
- Release: Limited release, blended, collector’s edition
- MSRP: $39.99 (Old Fourth)
Tasting Notes
- Nose: The nose opens with brown sugar, fresh mint, and an unmistakable note of peach rings, backed by touches of cinnamon spice. It’s inviting and playful, balancing confectionery sweetness with enough oak to remind you this is still bourbon.
- Palate: A balanced sip of brown sugar, vanilla, and charred oak forms the backbone before layers of peach begin to emerge. The mouthfeel leans lighter than expected but never feels thin, making for an easy-drinking pour.
- Finish: The finish is where this bourbon earns its keep. Cinnamon spice transitions into lingering stone fruit, caramel, Haribo gummy candy, and peach jam, with a touch of pleasant raw honey funk adding extra depth. It occasionally drinks a bit youthful, but the long finish more than compensates.
Every now and then a commemorative whiskey ends up being remembered more for the bottle than what’s inside. Old Fourth Distillery’s Dragon Con 40th Anniversary Bourbon manages to avoid that trap.
Built from a blend of 4–6 year MGP bourbon bottled at 94 proof with a 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley mashbill, this release benefits from additional maturation in Georgia before being blended by Clinton Dugan. The result is a bourbon that develops a personality all its own while celebrating one of the country’s most beloved fan conventions.
Presentation
The bottle itself is fairly standard, but the label is spectacular. Rather than simply stamping a commemorative logo on the front, Old Fourth wrapped the bottle in the full Dragon Con 40th Anniversary artwork, creating one of the busiest—and most visually striking—bourbon labels I’ve seen.
Whether you’re a whiskey fan, fantasy enthusiast, or Dragon Con regular, this bottle feels like a true collectible rather than an afterthought.
Distinctiveness
The additional Georgia aging and Clinton Dugan‘s blending give this bourbon a profile that doesn’t immediately scream MGP.
The prominent peach ring character reminded me more of Town Branch than Indiana bourbon, creating an identity that’s genuinely enjoyable without trying to reinvent the wheel.
It’s a well-built blend that finds its own lane through thoughtful maturation rather than flashy finishing techniques.
“…this bottle feels like a true collectible rather than an afterthought.”
Transparency
Old Fourth checks every box here. The distillery openly identifies this as MGP distillate, clearly states the age range, proof, and mashbill, and doesn’t attempt to disguise where the whiskey originated.
There’s very little left to wonder about, and that level of openness deserves recognition.
Value
At $39.99, this bottle already represents a strong value for a 4–6 year MGP bourbon that has seen additional maturation in Georgia. Add in the fact that it’s a genuine Dragon Con collector’s bottle, and the equation becomes even more compelling.
Even setting the collectible aspect aside, this is simply a good whiskey at a fair price. For fans of both bourbon and fantasy culture, the value exceeds expectations.
Buy if:
- You enjoy peach-forward bourbons with balanced sweetness.
- You’re a Dragon Con fan or appreciate collectible whiskey releases.
- You appreciate transparent sourcing and honest labeling.
- You’re looking for a great value under $40 that works equally well neat or in cocktails.
Skip if:
- You only enjoy heavily aged, oak-dominant bourbons.
- You’re highly sensitive to slightly youthful heat.
- You prefer high-proof whiskey experiences.
- You’re expecting a classic MGP profile rather than something shaped by Georgia maturation.
Verdict
This bottle surprised me.
The nose is enjoyable, the palate lands comfortably above average for the proof, but it’s the finish that really pulls everything together. Those lingering notes of stone fruit, peach jam, caramel, and honey give it a personality that’s memorable without feeling forced. There are occasional flashes of youthful heat, but I actually found that energy added character rather than distracting from the experience.
What impressed me most is how successfully the additional Georgia maturation transformed familiar MGP bourbon into something that doesn’t immediately taste like typical MGP. Between Clinton Dugan’s blending and the climate influence, there’s enough regional character here that I could almost believe I was drinking a Kentucky-distilled bourbon with hints of Town Branch’s signature peach profile.
Wrap all of that inside one of the coolest commemorative labels released this year, price it at $39.99, and Old Fourth has created something that’s more than just convention merchandise. It’s a legitimately enjoyable bourbon that also happens to be a meaningful keepsake for Dragon Con attendees.
Bourbon Bishop Bottom Line:
A genuinely enjoyable bourbon with standout collector appeal, exceptional value, and enough Georgia character to make you forget you’re drinking MGP.
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 4 / 7
- Palate: 3.75 / 7
- Finish: 4.5 / 7
- Presentation: 6.5 / 7
- Distinctiveness: 5 / 7
- Transparency: 7 / 7
- Value: 5.5 / 7
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 5.18 / 7 – Divine
Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style.
| Score | Descriptor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | Hell No | Drain pour. Seriously undrinkable. |
| 1.1–2 | Purgatory | Bad, but could be worse. Only in extreme cases. |
| 2.1–3 | Only Earthly | Just okay. Best used as a mixer. |
| 3.1–4 | Bliss | Passable to Good sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. Often high value for the price. |
| 5.1–6 | Divine | Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style. |
| 6.1–7 | Holy Heaven | Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn. |
Disclosure: This bottle was provided to me free of charge for review. All opinions are my own.
About Old Fourth Distillery
Founded in 2014, Old Fourth Distillery became Atlanta’s first legal distillery since Prohibition, building a reputation around craft spirits that blend Southern tradition with modern innovation. After a decade of producing award-winning whiskey, gin, vodka, and experimental releases, Old Fourth entered a new chapter when it was acquired by Shortbarrel in 2023.
Today, Old Fourth continues its Georgia whiskey legacy under the guidance of Clinton Dugan, lead blender and distiller for Shortbarrel and Old Fourth. Known for his thoughtful approach to sourcing, blending, and secondary maturation, Dugan has helped shape the brand’s evolving whiskey program with a focus on quality, creativity, and highlighting the character that comes from aging and finishing in Georgia.
With production now based in Norcross, Georgia, Old Fourth remains committed to crafting distinctive spirits that celebrate Atlanta’s heritage while pushing the boundaries of American whiskey.
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