Orphan Barrel’s Rhetoric Bourbon signifies a marked chapter in the history of bourbon. As part of Diageo’s product line, Rhetoric stands out for its distinctive aging process and unique concoction, which in fact, was born not out of demand but necessity. Emerging in the market in 2014, it closed its highly anticipated series with the Rhetoric 25 Year in 2018, leaving a lasting impression in the world of whiskeys.
History holds that barrels of bourbon were inherited from the warehouses of the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery, post-Diageo’s purchase in the early ’90s. The original bourbon, crafted at the Bernheim Distillery between 1991 and 1993, was originally intended to be part of I.W. Harper products. After the buyout, it wasn’t a question of ‘if’, but ‘how’ to repurpose these barrels into a unique endeavor.
The particular mash bill of these products, comprising 86% corn, 6% rye, and 8% malted barley, was known to be amongst the sweeter variants, with a subtle spice hint. Originally, under the Orphan Barrel line, similar mash bills were used to create the Barterhouse 20 yr and Old Blowhard. However, to distinctly position Rhetoric against these peers, Diageo had to redefine its marketing strategy.
The outcome was innovative – the Rhetoric Experiment. The team decided to launch multi-year releases showcasing how bourbon matures over time. Unusual as it may sound, their approach involved incrementally increasing proof points over the years in the same batch of barrels. Starting at 90 proof for Rhetoric 20 Year, they concluded with slightly altered 91 proof for the celebrated Rhetoric 25 Year variant.
Typically, distilleries conduct similar experiments with younger barrels and stop when they hit the optimal age of bourbon maturity, usually between 8-10 years. However, Orphan Barrel boldly defied the convention. They began their experiment with 20-year old bourbon and continued the release series till it aged to 25, demonstrating how the barrel influence changed the bourbon’s character even past the traditional maturation timeline.
This unique approach of aging created ripples in the bourbon industry. However, critics argue that without a sufficient control measure, like equal distribution of batches from the start, determining true maturation effects was really a shot in the dark. The same bourbon batch would alter dramatically based on where in the warehouse it was aged, owing to varying temperature and humidity conditions. Hence, without a clear method to differentiate impacting factors, the Rhetoric Experiment left more questions than answers.
Despite its unconventional method, the Rhetoric Experiment offered a fascinating glimpse into the world of bourbon aging, stirring conversations among bourbon enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. It demonstrated that the realm of whiskey is more than just a beverage industry, it is a platform for exploration and innovation.
The Final Sip
The audacious journey of Orphan Barrel’s Rhetoric Bourbon brought to light an unparalleled aspect of bourbon aging. The enticing narrative of these extraordinary 20 to 25-year old whiskeys will continue to intrigue the bourbon world, making Rhetoric’s legacy a unique tale of novelty, audacity, and intelligent marketing in the field of bourbon distilling.
Its journey serves as a stimulating example of how aging affects bourbon and how the bourbon industry constantly evolves and pushes boundaries to create unique tasting experiences for bourbon savorers around the globe. Regardless of whether it’s viewed as a clever marketing experiment or an enlightening study into bourbon aging, Rhetoric Bourbon undeniably marks a memorable period of growth, discovery, and experimentation in the grand annals of whiskey distilling.