On September 1, bourbon enthusiasts will witness the rebirth of a legend nearly lost to time, smoke, and ash. Named for a twice-burned and rebuilt legendary tavern in Garrard County, Kentucky, Burnt Tavern Bourbon carries a subtle whisper of smoke, echoing its fiery past in every sip. The first release of William Berkele Distillery is uniquely crafted, by esteemed whiskey pioneer Chip Tate.
Burnt Tavern Bourbon is a 7-year-old premium Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, bottled at 105 proof. After aging in traditional bourbon barrels, the bourbon is double-barreled in two unique, slowly toasted and charred barrels. In these secondary barrels, the whiskey continues to develop to offer rich and complex layers of burnt sugar, caramel, and vanilla, as well as luscious notes of oak and an elegant wood smoke.
This new frontier in bourbon will be released in the Central and Northern Kentucky markets, with plans to expand throughout the state later this year.
“Burnt Tavern Bourbon doesn’t follow trends. It honors the history of the fire and the journey of those who came before us. Each sip tells the story of smoke, char, and resilience. For those who appreciate the slow char and bold character of bourbon, Burnt Tavern delivers,” said Bennett Clark, President William Berkele Distillery.
Master Distiller Chip Tate Lends His Vision
Burnt Tavern’s aroma profile includes a whisper of smoke, apple cobbler, blackberry jam, baking spices, smoked caramel, vanilla bean, and toasted oak. Flavor notes include caramel, brown sugar, bananas, toffee, ginger, and baking spice.
“We came to Chip with a story rooted in legacy, fire and revival and he turned it into something you can actually taste. Very few distillers can take a brand’s origin and build a flavor that truly lives up to it. It’s not just bourbon; he captured the soul of Burnt Tavern. In every sip, a Kentucky story is told,” said Royce Blevins, Lead Founder, William Berkele Distillery.
Brand and Packaging Tell the Tale
Brand Identity Designer, Tara Lubonovich, brought the story of Burnt Tavern to life in a visual language rich in Kentucky history. The packaging was designed to illustrate the many characters and events surrounding the historic tavern, notably the two fires and highlights from its unique history since 1794. The design also incorporates the original seal of the William Berkele Distillery.
“We wanted to create a label that draws you into the journey of the Tavern, down to the last detail. The Burnt Tavern logotype was designed to feel like it’s branded into wood, and the shape of the label evokes an old hanging sign from the stagecoach days”, said Tara Lubonovich, Creative Director for Burnt Tavern Bourbon.