Portland, Oregon’s 503 Distilling has launched its first ever single bourbon whiskey: a 5-year, single-batch whiskey available exclusively at the 503 Distilling Lounge beginning Saturday, May 3. This milestone release coincides with the Kentucky Derby and will be celebrated with a Derby Day party at the lounge, featuring bourbon flights and festivities for local whiskey enthusiasts.
The 5-Year Bourbon is the result of a journey that began in 2018, when 503 Distilling set out to create a signature bourbon from scratch. Barreled in 2019 and aged to perfection, this limited run of just 420 bottles features a mash bill of corn, rye, and notably Walla Walla Winter Wheat—delivering a softer, smoother, and more approachable profile than traditional high-corn bourbons.
What makes this bourbon special is its distinctive use of Walla Walla Winter Wheat. While winter wheat is a common bourbon ingredient, 503 uses a higher percentage than the typical 5% found in most bourbons, resulting in a notably smoother character with less spiciness than conventional bourbons that often use 80-90% corn.
“This bourbon represents years of patience and craftsmanship,” says Rusty Caldwell, master distiller at 503 Distilling. “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created—a bourbon with notes of honey, oats, graham cracker, and a beautiful vanilla finish that’s surprisingly smooth for its proof.”