Hooten Young 8 Year Old American Whiskey
Hooten Young 8 Year Old American Whiskey is the younger sibling of the veteran-founded brand's 12-year release — an eight-year-old whiskey distilled by MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, built on an unusually corn-heavy mash bill of 99% corn and 1% malted barley. Bottled at 92 proof (46% ABV) in 750mL, it is the brand's everyday pour: sweet, maple-forward, made "for the slow times." It's available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 46% (92 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 8 years in oak barrels
- Mash bill: 99% corn, 1% malted barley
- Origin: distilled by MGP, Lawrenceburg, Indiana; veteran-founded brand (Tim Young, Norm Hooten)
- Release: launched November 2023 as the brand's second core American whiskey
Veterans, Corn Whiskey, and Eight Years of Patience
Hooten Young was founded by U.S. Army veterans Tim Young and Norm Hooten — the latter the real-life "Hoot" of Black Hawk Down — and the brand's copy is built around slow sipping and storytelling. The near-all-corn mash bill is the talking point: at 99% corn it drinks closer to a high-corn bourbon in sweetness, with eight years in oak adding maple, vanilla and baking spice. Reviewers note warm maple syrup, vanilla bean and toasted oak on the nose, caramelized maple and ripe apple on the palate (Liquor Geeks). Explore American whiskey or the full Hooten Young lineup at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Per the brand's launch release and published reviews: deep golden amber; nose of warm maple syrup, vanilla bean, toasted oak and orchard fruit; palate of caramelized maple, creamy vanilla, ripe apple, clove and cinnamon over charred oak; a long warming finish of sweet oak, light smoke and fruit spice.
How to Enjoy
Neat or on the rocks — it was built for sipping. The high-corn sweetness also mixes well in a simple Old Fashioned or highball.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Hooten Young whiskey?
U.S. Army veterans Tim Young and Norm Hooten (the real "Hoot" of Black Hawk Down); the whiskey itself is distilled by MGP in Indiana.
What is the mash bill?
99% corn, 1% malted barley — an unusually corn-heavy blend.
How strong is it?
92 proof (46% ABV), aged eight years in oak barrels.
Maple-sweet and built for slow sipping — order Hooten Young 8 Year Old American Whiskey online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.