Hooten Young 12 Year Old American Whiskey Batch 1
Hooten Young 12 Year Old American Whiskey Batch 1 is the veteran-owned brand's flagship statement: a 12-year-old American whiskey with an unusual 99% corn / 1% malted barley mash bill, distilled to 189 proof, barreled at 140 proof in second-fill barrels, and bottled non-chill filtered at 92 proof (46% ABV) in a 750mL bottle. A decade-plus of rest gives it maple, vanilla and ripe apple over a smooth, grain-forward core. Double Gold at the World Spirits Competition (2020 & 2023) and a SIP Awards winner. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 46% (92 proof)
- Age: 12 years
- Size: 750mL
- Mash bill: 99% corn, 1% malted barley
- Barrels: second-fill oak; non-chill filtered
- Awards: Double Gold, World Spirits Competition 2020 & 2023; SIP Awards 2022
- Origin: Indiana, USA (MGP-distilled)
Twelve Years of Patience, Bottled
Hooten Young was founded by veterans with a simple thesis: buy great aged whiskey, bottle it honestly, and let the liquid talk. Batch 1 is the proof — a high-corn whiskey that behaves nothing like bourbon, all grain-forward sweetness and second-fill softness rather than new-oak spice. The unusual distillation specs (189 proof off the still, 140 into the barrel) keep it delicate, and twelve years give it the depth to back that delicacy up. Baked apple, maple, vanilla and cream on the nose; apple, mild oak, cherry and a whisper of sherry on the palate. Explore more American whiskey, whisky and the Hooten Young collection.
Tasting Notes
Nose: baked apple, maple, vanilla, cream. Palate: apple, mild oak, cherry, sherry notes, smooth grain sweetness. Finish: medium length, light dryness, long and smooth.
How to Enjoy
Neat — this is a sipping whiskey through and through. A splash of water opens the maple and vanilla if you want it; skip the mixer entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mash bill? 99% corn and 1% malted barley — unusually high corn, which is why it drinks sweet and smooth rather than spicy.
Is it bourbon? No — it is labeled American whiskey (second-fill barrels), distilled in Indiana.
What awards has it won? Double Gold at the World Spirits Competition in 2020 and 2023, plus SIP Awards recognition in 2022.
Whiskey lovers in San Diego, CA: order Hooten Young 12 Year online from Del Mesa Liquor.