Backbone "The Forge" Blended Bourbon
Backbone "The Forge" Blended Bourbon is a 110-proof (55% ABV), 750mL premium blended bourbon from the Backbone Bourbon Company of Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Backbone's second blended bourbon (after 2015's "Prime") is a showcase of its oldest stocks: a 5–7 year straight bourbon majority layered with 8yr+ straight rye and 14yr+ light whiskey, some of it barreled as far back as 2006 — bottled at a bold 110 proof. Silver medal, 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 55% (110 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Blend: 5–7 year straight bourbon majority + 8yr+ straight rye + 14yr+ light whiskey
- Origin: Lawrenceburg, Indiana — non-distiller blending house
- Expression: "The Forge" — premium small-batch showcase of Backbone's oldest stocks
- Awards: Silver medal, 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards
Forged from the Oldest Barrels in the Warehouse
Backbone got its name from a moment of frustration with a supplier who "needed more backbone" — and the house philosophy never wavered: bold flavors, high proof, barrel-proof-style whiskey. The Forge is where that philosophy goes premium. The blender built it in layers — the backbone (pun intended) of 5–7 year straight bourbon, the spice of 8-year-plus rye, and the richness of 14-year-plus light whiskey — then bottled it at 110 proof so nothing gets diluted out. It landed on Uproxx's best-new-bourbons list in 2023 and took silver at the 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards.
Tasting Notes
Big and layered, exactly as the recipe reads: deep caramel and oak from the old stocks, rye spice cutting through the middle, and the long, high-proof finish Backbone drinkers expect. Add a few drops of water to open the lighter fruit notes underneath.
How to Enjoy
Neat first — this was built to be tasted at full proof — then experiment with a splash of water. It stands up to a single large cube, and its proof and depth make it a formidable base for a bold old fashioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Backbone "The Forge" an age-stated bourbon?
No — it carries no age statement. The brand describes the blend as 5–7 year straight bourbon with 8yr+ rye and 14yr+ light whiskey; some retail listings mislabel it "14 Year Old."
What is the proof of Backbone "The Forge"?
110 proof (55% ABV).
Does Backbone distill its own whiskey?
No — Backbone is a non-distiller blending house that buys Indiana-distilled barrels and blends them under its own labels.
Where can I buy Backbone "The Forge" Blended Bourbon online?
You can order it online from Backbone listings at Del Mesa Liquor — this 750mL bottle is available for purchase and ships from San Diego, CA.
Browse the full Backbone collection, or explore more high-proof pours in our bourbon whiskey lineup.
Bold by design and proven by medals — forge your own opinion at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
