Open Road Distilling Co. – Reserve Series Bourbon (Batch 2) Review

About Open Road Distilling Co.

Open Road Distilling Company is a modern distillery, dining, and entertainment destination located in the heart of Reston Town Center. Built from the ground up to be both a production distillery and a social hub, Open Road blends house-made spirits, approachable food, and layered hospitality experiences under one roof.

The concept is operated by Metropolitan Hospitality Group, drawing on more than 15 years of experience opening and running restaurants that range from award-winning fine dining to speakeasy-inspired cocktail bars. That background shaped a meticulous process of tasting, revision, and refinement — first applied to food and cocktails, and ultimately extended into distillation. The result was a natural evolution: creating a line of quality spirits designed to elevate both cocktails and the overall guest experience.

Open Road features an operational distillery, tasting room, and bonded retail store, offering daily tastings of in-house distilled American Vodka and American Gin, alongside in-house blended Eagle Eye Rye and Independence Bourbon, and the newer Reserve series. Guests can enjoy these spirits neat, in thoughtfully crafted cocktails, or take a bottle home directly from the distillery.

Food is a central part of the experience at Open Road. The main dining room, led by executive chef Edvin Gonzalez, features the full Open Road Grill menu — approachable, crowd-pleasing staples like wings, nachos, and burgers — served in a large, open-concept space that includes an indoor terrace, a mid-sized music venue, an arcade room, and private dining areas for events.

Tucked away within the same building is Heirloom, a more intimate, cocktail-focused speakeasy offering a Mediterranean-leaning menu under executive chef Dane Sewlall, providing a quieter, more refined counterpoint to the energy of the main restaurant.

Behind the scenes, the distilling program is guided by head distiller and blender Michael McElroy.

His extensive background in bartending and cocktail design strongly influences Open Road’s approach to spirits. His wide-ranging tasting experience shows in whiskeys built to be accessible, balanced, and cocktail-ready at a fair price — while the Reserve Series single barrels push further into upscale territory, crafted specifically for sipping neat rather than mixing.

I first met Michael when I won a giveaway with Open Road, which included a private tasting for me and some guests, along with some swag and the Open Road barrel that you often see pictured in my photos.

Read more about the visit here

This is a very balanced, classic-leaning bourbon that checks nearly every traditional box without trying to reinvent the wheel. Syrupy and sweet but never cloying, it remains approachable from first sip to finish. A subtle corn-forward funk — reminiscent of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof — adds just enough character to separate it from feeling generic, even if true uniqueness isn’t the goal here.

Presentation

Gorgeous bottles with smart use of negative space that really lets the natural color do the talking. The eagle is admittedly a bit generic, but for whatever reason it works for me. Paired with the simple box, the whole presentation feels intentional and quietly elevated — subtly reinforcing the one-off, single-barrel nature of these releases without trying too hard.

Distinctiveness

At its core, this is a classic MGP bourbon profile: caramel and brown sugar sweetness layered with red fruits like apple and cherry.

Every so often, a more unexpected note — an heirloom-style, waxy corn character reminiscent of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof — peeks through and adds interest. Otherwise, it delivers exactly what you’d expect: a solid, well-made, and intentionally safe bourbon — and that’s not a criticism.

Transparency & Value

Mike and the Open Road team are transparent about the Reserve Series being MGP-sourced, as well as their lower-proof blends incorporating both MGP and Texas distillate (though the specific Texas source isn’t disclosed). While there’s room for a bit more detail on the label, I respect the willingness to be upfront about sourcing at a time when many collectors write off MGP barrels outright—even when, as in this case, they’re genuinely well executed.

At $93.99, this bottle pushes past the informal $10-per-year benchmark, and being MGP-sourced — something increasingly common — does soften the value proposition slightly. That said, MGP shouldn’t be dismissed on principle. This is a well-selected, thoughtfully proofed barrel with plenty going for it, offering just enough nuance to keep an enthusiast engaged.

Buy if:

• You enjoy classic, dessert-leaning bourbon profiles with strong balance
• You’re looking for an approachable, easy-drinking single barrel that still has structure
• You appreciate well-selected MGP that’s proofed thoughtfully rather than pushed for heat

Skip if:

• You’re chasing high-distinctiveness or unconventional flavor profiles
• You have little interest in MGP-sourced bourbon at this price point
• You prefer bold oak or heavy spice over sweetness

Open Road Distilling Co. – Reserve Series Rye (Batch 1) Review

Polished MGP rye with a fragrant, spice-forward nose of toffee, pear, and black tea, carrying through to a balanced mid-palate and a long, peppery finish. Approachable yet complex, it’s a refined take on a modern rye favorite.

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Open Road Distilling Co. – Bourbon Coupe #6 Review

Bold and distinctive, this high-proof MGP bourbon blends dark fruit, earthy spice, and deep oak tannins for a sipping-forward experience reminiscent of single malts. Perfect for whiskey drinkers seeking depth, complexity, and a barrel that stands out from the crowd.

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