Vermont Spirits No. 14 Bourbon 750ML

Vermont Spirits No. 14 Bourbon (750ML)

Vermont Spirits No. 14 Bourbon is a beautiful, artisan craft whiskey that serves as a liquid tribute to the Green Mountain State. Named in honor of Vermont’s entry as the 14th state in the Union, this expression is produced by the Vermont Spirits Distilling Company in Quechee, Vermont—the state's oldest craft distillery. This unique spirit is explicitly engineered to capture a distinctly New England style by uniting two American classics: traditional high-corn bourbon and pure, locally sourced Vermont maple syrup.

The core of the whiskey relies on a high-corn mashbill that is distilled and patiently aged in brand-new, charred American white oak barrels. Once fully matured, Master Distiller Harry Kanzler gives the liquid its signature finish. Rather than dumping in artificial flavor syrups or heavy sugars that muddy the underlying spirit, the bourbon is treated to the absolute lightest touch of pure, local Vermont maple syrup. The maple functions strictly as a natural rounding agent rather than a dominant flavoring, yielding an exceptionally smooth 45% ABV (90 Proof) profile that has earned major national acclaim.

Technical Bourbon Specs

• Size: 750ML Elegant Corked Craft Bottle Format

• ABV/Proof: 45% ABV (90 Proof)

• Whiskey Classification: Bourbon Whiskey finished with Pure Vermont Maple Syrup

• The Base Spirits Canvas: High-corn mashbill distilled and aged in new charred American oak barrels.

• The Finishing Secret: Enhanced with a delicate micro-dosage of artisanal, locally harvested Vermont maple syrup.

• Origin: Handcrafted, blended, and bottled in Quechee, Vermont, USA.

• Critical Pedigree: Put New England craft distilling on the map by capturing a 92-Point "Exceptional" Rating from Wine Enthusiast alongside a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

• Value Tier: Mid-Range Craft Segment (~$45.00 to $55.00)

Tasting Notes: Flavor and Aroma Profile

The gentle touch of local maple syrup and traditional white-oak barrel aging grant the liquid a rich, star-bright amber-honey coloration in the glass with long, smooth, velvety legs.

• Aroma (Nose): Restrained, elegant, and light on the nose. The bouquet completely bypasses any stinging or burning chemical heat, leading instead with a dominant wave of toasted oak wood, warm vanilla bean, and sweet corn mash, beautifully supported by a soft, subtle undercurrent of maple sugars and light baking spice.

• Palate (Taste): Light-to-medium-bodied, texturally silky, and incredibly approachable. The entry coats the tongue with an ultra-smooth, velvety arrival of caramel and brown sugar. Across the mid-palate, its unique character unfolds—unrolling unexpected, crisp layers of cherry-vanilla cream, sweet honey, clove, and honeyed oaky spice.

• Finish: Soft, long, and remarkably elegant. The primary grain sugars recede smoothly, closing with a trailing signature of warm cinnamon bark, a light citrusy fade, and a touch of lingering maple sweetness that rounds out the wood tannins without leaving a sticky or cloying film on the throat.

Connoisseur Service and Mixology

Because No. 14 sits at a balanced 90 proof and features an incredibly smooth, rounded texture, it behaves as a spectacular asset for both neat outdoor sipping and classic cocktail upgrades.

• The Campfire Neat Ritual: To fully enjoy the delicate cherry-vanilla and maple undertones, serve 2 oz of No. 14 entirely neat or over a single large clear ice block in a rocks glass. The slowly melting ice block breaks the liquid's surface tension, triggering an immediate explosion of hidden baking spices and oak aromatics.

• The Signature No. 14 Old Fashioned: In a heavy rocks glass, gently muddle 1 teaspoon of pure Vermont maple sugar with 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and a splash of club soda. Add 2 oz of Vermont Spirits No. 14 Bourbon and a single large clear cube. Stir for 20 seconds and garnish with an orange twist. The whiskey's built-in maple finish amplifies this classic perfectly.

• The Green Mountain Manhattan: In an ice-packed mixing glass, stir 2 oz No. 14 Bourbon, 1 oz premium sweet vermouth, and 5 dashes of Angostura bitters with hard ice blocks for 20 seconds. Fine strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with a brandied Luxardo cherry.

Smart Gourmet Culinary Pairings

Vermont Spirits No. 14’s unique alignment of rich caramel sweetness, cherry-vanilla undertones, and a soft maple finish allows it to behave as an elite companion for rich fats, sharp dairy, and orchard fruit desserts.

• Aged Regional Dairy: An absolute textbook home run poured alongside a block of extra-sharp Vermont white Cheddar cheese. The cheese's sharp, salty tyrosine crystals perfectly contrast the bourbon's smooth brown sugar and maple entry.

• Flame-Charred Backyard Proteins: Pair a neat glass next to a platter of slow-smoked beef brisket, hickory-grilled pulled pork, or pan-seared duck breast. The charred oak notes of the spirit effortlessly mirror the smoky elements of the meat.

• Rich After-Dinner Baking Comforts: It functions beautifully alongside a slice of warm pecan pie, maple crème brûlée, or an apple tarte tatin, where the food's baking spices draw out the whiskey's native clove and cinnamon finish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does Vermont Spirits No. 14 taste like?

It delivers an exceptionally smooth, light-bodied, and balanced tasting experience. The front of the palate is dominated by comforting notes of warm caramel, brown sugar, and vanilla, which transitions smoothly across the mid-palate into an expressive matrix of cherry-vanilla cream, clove, and honeyed oaky spice before closing with a soft, clean hint of lingering maple warmth.

Is No. 14 a sweet flavored whiskey or a true bourbon?

It is a fully certified, authentic straight bourbon whiskey. Unlike sweet, mass-market flavored liqueurs (such as maple-flavored whiskeys) that use massive amounts of artificial syrups to completely mask the alcohol, No. 14 utilizes maple sparingly as a finishing texturizer. It drinks like a high-quality, smooth craft bourbon with just a subtle, elegant hint of maple sweetness on the back end.

Does this craft bourbon use real maple syrup?

Yes, 100%. Staying completely true to the artisan craft values of the Green Mountains, Vermont Spirits Distilling Company sources its maple syrup locally from independent harvesters within the state of Vermont. This natural, high-grade syrup is blended into every single small batch strictly by hand using the distillers' five senses to guarantee consistent quality control.

Does this maple-finished bourbon require refrigeration after opening?

No, never. Thanks to its robust and stable 45% ABV (90 Proof) architecture, Vermont Spirits No. 14 Bourbon is 100% shelf-stable at room temperature once the seal is broken. Because the maple is used in micro-dosages, the high alcohol content acts as a complete natural stabilizer. Simply store the bottle upright on your home bar cart away from direct sunlight, and ensure the closure is pressed down firmly after use to prevent slow air evaporation.