Whiskey Acres 101 Proof Four Grain Bourbon 750ML

Whiskey Acres 101 Proof Four Grain Bourbon 750ML is a 101-proof (50.5% ABV) grain-to-glass bourbon distilled from four estate-grown grains in DeKalb, Illinois. What sets this expression apart is its true farm-distillery provenance — the grains in the bottle are cultivated on the same land where they are milled, fermented, and distilled.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50.5%  |  Origin: DeKalb, Illinois, USA  |  Four Grain Bourbon  |  Distillery: Whiskey Acres Distilling Co.

Production & Heritage

Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. operates on the Nagele family farm in DeKalb, Illinois, where the family has farmed for multiple generations. The distillery represents a genuine grain-to-glass operation: corn, soft red winter wheat, rye, and malted barley are all grown on the property before being processed on-site. The four-grain mashbill distinguishes this bourbon from the more common three-grain recipes used by most producers, incorporating both wheat's softness and rye's peppery character into a single expression. Bottled at a robust 101 proof without chill filtration, this release aims to showcase the full intensity of the distillate and the terroir of northern Illinois farmland.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Caramel corn and toasted oak arrive first, followed by a thread of baking spice and dried wheat. A faint floral note from the rye grain emerges with time in the glass.

Taste: The entry is warm and sweet, with butterscotch and vanilla giving way to a mid-palate wave of cracked black pepper and cinnamon. The wheat component rounds the texture into something almost creamy despite the higher proof, while rye pushes through with a dry, herbal edge toward the peak.

Finish: Medium-long, with toasted grain, charred oak, and a lingering sweetness reminiscent of honey-drizzled cornbread. A gentle peppery warmth stays on the back of the palate.

How to Drink Whiskey Acres Four Grain

At 101 proof, this bourbon holds up well neat but also benefits from a few drops of water to open the wheat and rye interplay. It performs equally well over a single large ice cube, which gradually tempers the proof and coaxes out additional sweetness.

• Old Fashioned: The four-grain complexity provides layered depth beneath the sugar and bitters, avoiding the one-note sweetness of simpler mashbills.
• Boulevardier: The higher proof stands up against Campari and sweet vermouth without being drowned out, and the wheat softness bridges the bitter and sweet elements.
• Whiskey Sour: The butterscotch and baking spice character plays well against fresh citrus, while the proof ensures the bourbon doesn't disappear behind the lemon juice.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who values farm-to-bottle transparency
• Side-by-side tastings comparing three-grain vs. four-grain mashbill profiles
• Adding a craft American whiskey to a home bar focused on independent producers
• Exploring Illinois's emerging craft distilling scene

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Whiskey Acres Four Grain taste like? It delivers a balance of caramel sweetness and baking spice, with a creamy wheat texture counterbalanced by rye-driven pepper and a warm, toasted-grain finish.

How does Whiskey Acres Four Grain compare to Woodford Reserve Four Grain? Both use a four-grain mashbill, but Whiskey Acres is bottled at a higher 101 proof versus Woodford Reserve Four Grain's 90.4 proof, resulting in a bolder, more intense flavor profile. Whiskey Acres also differentiates itself through its estate-grown grain sourcing, while Woodford Reserve operates at a significantly larger production scale in Kentucky.

Is Whiskey Acres Four Grain good for sipping neat? Yes — the 101 proof is assertive but not harsh, and the four-grain mashbill provides enough complexity to reward slow, deliberate sipping without needing a mixer.

Where is Whiskey Acres Four Grain made? It is distilled at Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. in DeKalb, Illinois, on the Nagele family's working farm located roughly 65 miles west of Chicago.

What foods pair well with Whiskey Acres Four Grain? Smoked pork ribs complement the bourbon's caramel and char notes. Sharp aged cheddar mirrors its spice and sweetness. Pecan pie echoes the toasted-grain and butterscotch character. Dark chocolate with sea salt plays off the wheat creaminess. Cornbread with honey butter creates a natural grain-on-grain harmony.

What sizes does Whiskey Acres Four Grain come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Whiskey Acres Four Grain worth the price? It positions as a premium craft bourbon, priced above mass-market labels but justified by its genuine grain-to-glass production, estate-grown ingredients, and higher-than-standard 101 proof. For drinkers who prioritize provenance and small-batch transparency, it delivers strong value within its tier.

Why Whiskey Acres Four Grain?

In a bourbon market crowded with contract-distilled and sourced whiskey, Whiskey Acres stands as one of a small number of American distilleries that grows its own grain, distills on-site, and bottles under its own label. The four-grain mashbill — using corn, wheat, rye, and malted barley together — creates a profile more layered than typical wheated or high-rye bourbons, and the 101 proof bottling delivers that complexity without dilution. This is a bourbon rooted in a specific piece of Illinois farmland, and it tastes like it. For anyone looking beyond Kentucky for serious American whiskey, Whiskey Acres represents the kind of transparency and terroir-driven production that the craft movement promised from the start.