Milam & Greene Whiskey of Blanco, Texas, is capping off its wildly popular 2024 Wildlife Collection with the release of Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon. The sixth and final cask-strength whiskey release in this year’s Milam & Greene Wildlife Collection explores how climate and weather impact the final flavor and proof of aging bourbon. The 2024 Wildlife Collection theme pays tribute to the beauty of the wild birds spotted throughout Texas, and proceeds benefit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon will be available exclusively on the Milam & Greene Whiskey website and in the distillery tasting room beginning at 3 p.m. (CDT) on Nov. 20
“We track the specific effect of how the Texas environment influences and enhances flavor development right down to the barrel placement to select the barrels for the Milam & Greene Wildlife Collection,” says Heather Greene, Milam & Greene Whiskey master blender and CEO. “We don’t regulate the temperature and have plenty of natural airflow through our rickhouses, which allows the outside weather conditions to play a part in the whiskey aging process. When Cooper’s Hawks hunt, their attack maneuver is to fly fast and low to the ground. The barrel we selected for the bottling of this special Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon was aged on a lower rack where the temperature is slightly cooler than the top rack. In a northern climate that might result in lower alcohol, but not in Texas. The massive temperature swings and extended periods of triple-digit heat in our rickhouse fostered rich and complex flavors and high alcohol proof.”
Milam & Greene Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon is named for the medium-sized bird which is often seen patrolling the skies above the distillery in Blanco. The distinctive reddish mahogany bars on the belly of the Cooper’s Hawk are reminiscent of a beautiful bourbon color. These birds are extremely fast flyers, and the Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon is expected to sell out just as fast.
The Wildlife Collection: Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon
This limited cask-strength Milam & Greene Wildlife Collection Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon was pulled from cask #505, yielding 149 bottles of 128.1 proof (64.05% ABV) whiskey. It was distilled in Tennessee with a mash bill of 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley. It was barreled in Tennessee on March 8, 2016, where it was aged for six years and eight months. It was then transported to Blanco, Texas, and aged on a low rack on the south side of Milam & Greene Rickhouse 1 for an additional year and eight months. Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon was bottled on July 15, 2024, at 128.1 proof after aging for a total of eight years, four months, and nine days.
Mahogany in color, Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon greets the nose with aromas of caramel, vanilla wafer, dark cherry, toasted oak, and almond. On the palate, notes of decadent bread pudding and glazed donuts unfold, balanced by ripe apricots and a touch of aged cigar box. The finish is long and peppery, leaving a lasting impression with layers of malted milk balls, cola, and freshly baked yeast rolls. This is a complex, deeply satisfying bourbon with a memorable depth of character.
Pricing and Availability
Milam & Greene Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon is available for $149.99 only on the Milam & Greene website and in the distillery tasting room beginning at 3:00 p.m. (CDT) on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. With just 149 cask-strength bottles available, this exclusive release is anticipated to sell out swiftly. Keep informed about all Milam & Greene Whiskey limited releases by signing up for the newsletter, watching the countdown clock on the website, and following on Facebook and Instagram.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each bottle of the Milam & Greene Wildlife Collection will benefit the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation.