Hooten Young 15 Year Old Barrel Proof American Whiskey
Hooten Young 15 Year Old Barrel Proof American Whiskey is the oldest whiskey the veteran-owned brand has ever released: fifteen full years in second-fill charred American oak, bottled undiluted at 62.5% ABV (125 proof) in a 750mL bottle. Distilled by MGP in Indiana from a 99% corn / 1% malted barley mash bill and discovered by Master Sommelier George Miliotes, it was released to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu — the 1993 Operation Gothic Serpent mission led by Hooten Young founder and retired Delta Force MSgt. Norm Hooten, immortalized in Black Hawk Down. It earned a Double Gold Medal at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 62.5% (125 proof), bottled at barrel proof
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 15 years in second-fill charred American oak
- Mash bill: 99% corn, 1% malted barley
- Distillery: MGP, Indiana; discovered by MS George Miliotes
- Distinction: Double Gold, NY World Wine & Spirits Competition
Fifteen Years of Patience, Bottled Undiluted
Fifteen-year American whiskey of this quality is genuinely rare, and bottling at barrel proof means nothing was diluted away — the concentration of a decade and a half in oak arrives intact. The corn-dominant mash keeps it naturally sweet and rich even at full strength, and the second-fill barrels contribute nuanced oak without overwhelming the fruit. Browse more American whiskey, bourbon and the Hooten Young collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: deep amber. Nose: baked apple, candied apricot, warm vanilla, toasted oak and subtle spice. Palate: rich maple syrup, dark caramel, clove and toasted wood with real barrel-driven depth. Finish: long, warm and powerful — lingering oak, dried fruit and gentle smoke.
How to Enjoy
Sip neat in a Glencairn to meet it at full intensity; a few drops of water will open the fruit, caramel and oak without muting its structure. It pairs beautifully with dark chocolate, pecan desserts, roasted nuts or strong aged cheeses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proof of Hooten Young 15 Year Barrel Proof? 125 proof (62.5% ABV) — bottled at full barrel proof with no dilution.
Where is Hooten Young 15 Year distilled? At MGP in Indiana from a 99% corn mash bill, matured 15 years in second-fill charred American oak.
What does this whiskey commemorate? The 28th anniversary of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, honoring U.S. service members; founder Norm Hooten is a retired Delta Force MSgt.
A Double Gold, barrel-proof 15-year-old — order Hooten Young 15 Year online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.