Never Say Die is a small batch bourbon but with a difference. The whiskey is distilled at an unnamed distillery in Kentucky via column stills and matured in the USA for a period, before being shipped in barrel to the United Kingdom where it undergoes a secondary maturation. As it travels via the sea the whiskey is moved around inside the barrel at an increased rate and this adds an extra dimension of taste and character.
The only clue as to which Kentucky distillery may produce Never Say Die is that they have a ‘keen focus on yeast’. The whiskey is made using 100% sweet mash with a high rye content – this consists of 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley. The barrels used are a low char level (number 4) and all spirit is casked at 110 proof (55% ABV). This is lower than most other bourbons. NSD believe this all makes for a better product, despite being a more expensive way to make whiskey.
The Never Say Die brand was named after a legendary horse. He was born in poor health at birth but battled to become a succesful race horse. The story goes that he was given a shot of whiskey to cure him and he survived. Never Say Die was American bred thoroughbred that was then trained in the UK. He won only one of his first nine races, but then triumphed in The Derby at Epsom in 1954. He was the first American colt to win the race for over 70 years and later added a second Brit classic later that year – the St Leger Stakes.
Never Say Die is bottled and released at 47.5% ABV. It is available through specialist whisky and online retailers in the UK. A bottle will cost £60.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is deep gold and the nose is expressive and bold. Aromas of vanilla, caramel and dark chocolate mingle with buttercream, orange zest and chocolate coated cherries. Hints of burnt toffee and freshly sawn oak sit in the background, plus a whiff of coconut and walnut.
On the palate this whiskey has a buttery and creamy mouth feel. Notes of sugar coated vanilla pod and caramel lead the way and everything feels nice and rounded. The sweet vanilla becomes a little more custard-like with time and is joined by the butter cream and oaky woodiness from the nose. These notes are accentuated by some lovely bitter orange peel, plenty of dark chocolate and warming baking spices (think of clove and nutmeg especially). In the background sit hints of spearmint and cocktail cherry, plus some late peppery spice and dessicated coconut.
The finish is warming with a good balance between sweet and spicy characteristics. The sweet and fruity elements fade first with the cherry note lingering longest. This leaves the increasingly intense oak and warming spices to battle it out. This gives a pleasant dryness at the very end.
What’s The Verdict?
Never Say Die is a lovely, rounded bourbon that marries sweet and savoury well. Its quirky backstory is interesting also. Does the travel by sea and subsequent maturation in the UK make any difference though? Well, at the launch we tasted a version that was matured in the USA then flown over to the UK and this lacked the elements of creaminess and depth when compared with Never Say Die. A good all-round whiskey and one that would be versatile enough to drink neat or use in a cocktail.
