Burnside Bourbon

Product Story

In early 2011, I finally got my first distilling production space, and after getting everything up and running, I started looking for new product opportunities. I discovered a bourbon that was simply too good to not sell. It was a five-year-old bourbon from Heaven Hill and was just $500 for a barrel at the time. At 96 proof I felt like I had a great flavor profile – one that was distinct enough to not be confused with other brands sourcing a similar whiskey. In Portland, we have water from the Bull Run aquifer which is some of the best tasting water in the country. When combined with the excellent bourbon it made for an outstanding product. Solid cinnamon and oak flavors and smooth drinking  – what more can you want from a sourced product?

Looking for some kind of historical reference to Portland, I hit upon the name Burnside. It’s the name of one of the main streets and bridges in the city, and while Civil War Union General Ambrose Burnside never lived in Portland he sure looks cool on a bottle label. Thus the brand was born! Burnside Bourbon is now a $1+ million a year brand and is one of the cornerstone products of Eastside Distilling which is now a public company.

Awards

2014 MicroLiquor Spirits Awards, Gold Medal
2012 Beverage Testing Institute, Gold Medal