A gentle, candy-leaning bourbon that feels lighter than its proof suggests.
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
- Proof: 110 (55% ABV)
- Mashbill: 74% Corn │ 21% Rye │ 5% Malted Barley
- Origin: MGP – Lawrenceburg, Indiana
- Finish: 75% Straight │ 25% sherry finished for 12 months, uncut
- Release: Limited release (2,232 bottles)
- MSRP: $79.99 (SharedPour)
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Soft and somewhat muted. Honey and light BBQ char emerge first, followed by cherry candy and faint oak. The aromas are pleasant but subdued, leaving the glass feeling quieter than expected for an uncut release.
- Palate: Classic MGP oak appears quickly, layered with brown sugar and candied mint. The texture sits on the lighter side, and the mid-palate never quite fills out, leaving the sweetness to carry most of the experience.
- Finish: Candied sweetness rolls forward into moderate tannin and a steady cinnamon spice. The finish finally brings some energy, though it carries the same youthful edge that shows up earlier in the sip.
Decade Down feels like a whiskey that should be louder than it is. The components are there — sweetness, spice, oak — but they never quite gather into a cohesive crescendo.
The finish is the most engaging part of the pour, though the nose and mid-palate remain restrained.
Distinctiveness
Fairly limited. The profile reads familiar and somewhat restrained for the category.
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.
Value is a bit more complicated here. At around $80 for an uncut 110-proof whiskey, I’m looking for something that really stands out — even if that distinction isn’t simply a punch of heat. There’s nothing off-putting about the pour, but the palate and overall distinctiveness never quite rise to the level I’d hope for at this price point, especially for a release meant to celebrate such a significant milestone for the company.
Buy if:
- You enjoy soft, candy-leaning bourbon profiles
- You like gentler MGP expressions
Skip if:
- You want big aroma and layered mid-palate development
- You expect full intensity from an uncut release
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 2.5 / 7
- Palate: 2.3 / 7
- Finish: 3 / 7
- Presentation: N/A (samples)
- Distinctiveness: 1 / 7
- Transparency: 7 / 7
- Value: 1.5 / 7
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 2.88 / 7 – Only Earthly
Just okay. Best used as a mixer.
| 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 The Forge Batch 3 delivers maraschino cherry, caramel, cinnamon spice, and MGP oak in a classic high-rye bourbon profile, though it drinks hotter than expected at 110 proof.
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.
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.
Pingback: Backbone - Bone Snapper X-Ray Rye Review Review | Bourbon Bishop
Pingback: Backbone - Uncut Bourbon Review Review | Bourbon Bishop
Pingback: Backbone - The Forge (Batch 3) Review Review | Bourbon Bishop