American Fifth Spirits Bourbon Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B

American Fifth Spirits Bourbon
(Credit: American Fifth Spirits)

American Fifth Spirits was reportedly ready to go in Lansing, Michigan in 2009, which would have placed them among the early group of craft distilleries that followed the trailblazers like Stranahan’s and Tuthilltown. However, the Great Recession dried up their access to financing, and the project languished until 2013, with the distillery opening in 2015.

Having sampled their bourbon, I have to say that either it was worth the wait or the wait did them some good. They make a four grain bourbon, 63% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malt and 5% rye. In keeping with the practices common in “Craft Whiskey 2.0,” they are aging in 30-gallon barrels, not the tiny barrels that were prevalent back in 2009. Their American Fifth Bourbon is bottled at 90 proof.

The Bourbon
The look of American Fifth in the glass straddles amber and copper, not being quite dark enough to be properly called amber. Coating the glass leaves behind a few big, chunky legs.

The scent is a lot like gingerbread crushed and sprinkled atop a creme brulee. The flavor however, is spicier. It’s light and sweet to start with, then this kick of pepperiness comes in. Frankly, I was quite surprised by that, given there if four times as much wheat as rye in the mash bill; since I can’t see the yeast producing that flavor, this peppery aspect must come from the barrel. The finish takes another jink, opening with tobacco briefly before running turning light, dry and peppery again.

The Price
A bottle of this should set you back about $49.