Bright spice and cherry sweetness drive a classic high-rye bourbon profile.
About Backbone Bourbon Company
“Don’t cut it!”
– Unidentified whiskey expert, tasting an early Backbone barrel sample
Founded in 2014 by Bill Kennedy and Nolan Smith, Backbone Bourbon Company began with a simple idea: source exceptional barrels and build bold, high-proof whiskeys that stand out in a crowded market.
The company’s early roots actually trace back to 2011, when two of its original brands were sold exclusively in Indiana. At the time, Kennedy and Smith were quietly investing in aging bourbon and rye barrels while the modern American whiskey boom was just beginning to take shape.
Backbone’s philosophy centers on thoughtful sourcing, blending, and finishing. Rather than distilling their own whiskey, the company focuses on identifying quality barrels from established distilleries and elevating them through careful blending. The goal is simple: deliver distinctive whiskeys with bold flavor that consistently exceed expectations for their price.
The Origin of “Uncut”
Backbone’s flagship brand, Backbone Uncut, was born out of frustration. An Indiana bourbon supplier had unexpectedly dropped the young company in favor of a larger distributor. Kennedy and Smith joked that the supplier needed more “backbone,” and the name stuck.
Not long after, the partners received a barrel sample from a distillery. The whiskey arrived at a robust 114.9 proof, far above what many bourbons on the market were bottled at at the time. Conventional wisdom suggested proofing it down closer to 90.
Before making the decision, the founders invited a well-known whiskey expert to taste the sample. As the story goes, the guest examined the glass, took a breath—and promptly drained the entire pour.
His verdict was simple:
“Don’t cut it.”
They didn’t.
That moment ultimately shaped the identity of Backbone Bourbon Company: full-flavored, high-proof whiskey that lets the barrel speak for itself.
Stats
- Age: 5-7 year bourbon, older Rye and American Light whiskey
- Proof: 110 (55% ABV)
- Mashbill: Bourbon – 75% Corn │21% Rye │ 4% Malted Barley. Rye – 95% Rye │ 5% Malted Barley. American Light Whiskey – 99% Corn │ 1% Malted Barley
- Origin: MGP – Lawrenceburg, Indiana
- Finish: Straight (at least 51% or more straight bourbon), uncut
- Release: Limited release (2,034 bottles)
- MSRP: $77.99 (SharedPour)
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Expressive and immediately recognizable. Maraschino cherry and caramel dominate, supported by a faint thread of milk chocolate that rounds out the sweetness.
- Palate: Medium-bodied with a familiar MGP backbone. Cinnamon spice and oak arrive first, followed by creamy vanilla and caramel sweetness that soften the edges.
- Finish: The finish dries slightly while candied mint and a hint of lemon brighten the spice. A low simmer of rye spice continues alongside red apple sweetness.
The Forge reads like a textbook high-rye bourbon: bright spice, cherry sweetness, and a recognizable MGP oak structure despite the inclusion of older Rye and American Light Whiskey.
It’s enjoyable but drinks a bit hotter than the proof suggests (likely due to the ALW), which gives the impression of youth or slight roughness around the edges.
Distinctiveness
Moderate. It’s well-executed but firmly in traditional territory.
Transparency & Value
Backbone is commendably transparent, which feels increasingly important in the modern landscape of non-distilling producers and independent bottlers. Not only is the source clearly stated on the bottle, but the company also lists detailed stats for each release on their website. That level of openness is refreshing in an era where “NDA” is often used as a catch-all explanation.
At nearly $80 for an uncut 110-proof blend that includes rye aged over seven years alongside American Light Whiskey, I expected a bit more depth, sweetness, and overall character. Nothing about the whiskey is particularly offensive, though it does drink a little hotter than expected — likely influenced by how the American Light Whiskey is integrated. Ultimately, it struggles to separate itself from the broader field, even if the age components at least align more closely with the price this time around.
Buy if:
- You enjoy spice-forward high-rye bourbons
- You like classic MGP flavor profiles
- Cherry and caramel notes are your thing
Skip if:
- You prefer rounder, older-feeling bourbons
- Heat tends to bother you
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 3.75 / 7
- Palate: 3.75 / 7
- Finish: 4 / 7
- Presentation: N/A (samples)
- Distinctiveness: 2 / 7
- Transparency: 7 / 7
- Value: 3 / 7
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 3.92 / 7 – Bliss
Passable sipper. Works well in cocktails.
| 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 sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. 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 purposes. All opinions are my own.
Related Reviews
Backbone Decade down Uncut Anniversary Edition (2021) brings cherry candy, brown sugar, and cinnamon spice but struggles to deliver depth in the nose and mid-palate
Backbone Bone Snapper X-Ray Rye Batch 6 offers floral pear, honeyed sweetness, and minty spice at 110 proof—an approachable rye that shows promise but could benefit from more time in barrel.
Backbone Uncut Bourbon (115.6 proof) offers vanilla frosting, custard, caramel, and balanced spice in a dessert-leaning barrel strength bourbon that finishes with lingering red fruit.
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