Bourbon has been a regulated spirit for quite some time. Bottled-in-bond is the most regulated of regulated whiskeys. However, bourbon rules in Missouri are in a league all by themselves. To be called a Missouri bourbon, you must follow stricter guidelines than in Kentucky.

Missouri bourbon rules

To qualify as “Missouri Bourbon” or “Missouri Bourbon Whiskey” and to be labeled as such, a product shall be a spirit that meets the following conditions:

(1) The product shall be mashed, fermented, distilled, aged, and bottled in Missouri;

(2) The product shall be aged in oak barrels manufactured in Missouri.

(3) Effective January 1, 2020, to qualify as “Missouri Bourbon” or “Missouri Bourbon Whiskey” and to be labeled as such, all corn used in the mash must be Missouri-grown corn.

The difference

Kentucky distilleries routinely use barrels manufactured outside of the state of Kentucky. In fact, despite many using locally sourced corn, Kentucky distilleries are not mandated to use locally grown crops. Many Kentucky distilleries use barrels manufactured in the state and locally grown corn. However, they can call their product Kentucky bourbon even when using a barrel sourced from outside the state.

Ben Holladay Missouri Straight Bourbon Whiskey

I have quickly become a fan of this bourbon. It is a 6-year-old bottled-in bond Missouri Bourbon that is a pleasure to drink. One hundred proof and six years old make this a fast favorite. Not only is this an excellent bourbon, but it has a history worth reviewing. The original distillery, known as Blue Springs, dates back to the mid-1800s. The distillery is the oldest west of the Mississippi River, operating on its original site.

Ben Holladay was a real person

Ben Holladay was a man of much success. He was an early transportation mogul owning stagecoach lines, steamships, and even the famed Pony Express. At one time, Holladay was the largest employer in the nation and eventually sold his stagecoach business to Wells Fargo. I want to think that a man who controlled transportation realized he could easily manufacture and transport his whiskey to multiple markets.

Ben Holladay review

I was very impressed with this bourbon, and it ranks with some of the best bourbons originating from outside Kentucky I have sampled. Bourbon rules in Missouri are strict, and Ben Holladay Missouri Bourbon is an example of great whiskey with a different back story than most. PLEASE WATCH OUR VIDEO REVIEW OF BEN HOLLADAY MISSOURI BOURBON HERE.

Bottle of Ben Holladay Missouri Straight Bourbon Whiskey