Old Dominick 8 Year Reserve Bourbon

A little background

Old Dominick Distillery, a cornerstone of Memphis craftsmanship since its 2017 revival, introduces its 8-Year Reserve Bourbon, a premium straight bourbon released on September 5, 2025. Crafted with the distillery’s signature mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley, this expression is aged for eight years in new American oak barrels and undergoes a brief charcoal mellowing process, echoing Tennessee Whiskey traditions but bottled as a bourbon to highlight its distinct profile. Priced at $59.99 for a 750ml bottle and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV), it’s available at the distillery’s Memphis tasting room, select Southeast retailers, and online with shipping to 42 states.

Founded on a historic family recipe from the 1800s, Old Dominick has quickly risen as a leader in craft spirits, blending tradition with innovation under Head Distiller David Valentine. The 8-Year Reserve marks a milestone, reflecting the distillery’s commitment to quality through carefully selected barrels and patient aging. To celebrate, Old Dominick hosts a release week from September 5-12, 2025, at 305 S. Front Street, Memphis, offering tours, tastings, and specialty cocktails.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Dark Gold

Nose

Inviting sweetness from caramel corn, brown sugar, vanilla icing, and cream, with fruity accents like peach and raisin; subtle toasted oak and charred sugar add depth.

Palate

Dessert-forward with rich caramel, butterscotch, honey, and vanilla leading; creamy texture, hints of pastry or chocolate, and a gentle rye spice for balance.

Finish

Long-length and warming, lingering on honey, caramel, vanilla cream, and milk chocolate sweetness; fades with oak, mild white pepper, and charred wood tannins.

In closing

Old Dominick 8 Year Reserve Bourbon delivers a dessert-like sipping experience, blending inviting caramel corn, brown sugar, and vanilla sweetness with a creamy palate of butterscotch, honey, and subtle chocolate, all balanced by gentle rye spice. Its long, warming finish, rich with honey, caramel, and mild oak tannins, showcases impressive maturity for an 8-year-old bourbon, reflecting the distillery’s growing expertise in Memphis.

At $59.99, this 100-proof pour offers exceptional value, appealing to both novice and seasoned drinkers for neat sipping or cocktails. However, its heavy sweetness may not suit those craving drier or spicier profiles, and the restrained rye influence pales against Old Dominick’s bolder high-rye offerings. Limited availability in the Southeast may also challenge accessibility. Nonetheless, this bourbon’s candy-like nose and creamy complexity make it a standout steal for its price.

Note: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Old Dominick. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.