Republic of Indian Stream 'Border' Bourbon Whiskey
Republic of Indian Stream 'Border' Bourbon Whiskey is a 91.8-proof (45.9% ABV), 750mL high-rye straight bourbon, aged three years and bottled at near cask strength. The brand honors the short-lived Republic of Indian Stream (1832–1842), the independent republic that once stood on the New Hampshire–Canada border; the whiskey is sourced and aged specifically for the "Citizens of the Republic" and blended and bottled in Pittsburg, New Hampshire. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 45.9% (91.8 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 3 years; straight bourbon, small batch, bottled at near cask strength
- Origin: blended and bottled in Pittsburg, New Hampshire (sourced whiskey)
- Mash bill: high-rye bourbon (exact percentages unpublished)
A Bourbon for a Forgotten Republic
From 1832 to 1842, the settlers of the Indian Stream valley declared themselves an independent republic rather than submit to a border dispute between the US and British Canada. Republic of Indian Stream's owners Dan Gray and Ron Vars bottle 'Border' as a tribute: a bold, high-rye bourbon built for drinking by the glass or the flask. The brand's own notes call it a high-rye bourbon "with a stone fruit and vanilla finish," and retail tasters describe a bold pour of stone fruit, rye spice, and vanilla that stands up in cocktails. Fans of bourbon whiskey looking for something with a story will find few bottles with a better one.
Tasting Notes
Expect a rye-forward attack — stone fruit and baking spice over a sweet corn backbone — moving into vanilla and caramel mid-palate. The 91.8-proof bottling keeps the heat honest without overwhelming the fruit; the finish lingers on rye spice and vanilla. Built for cocktails as much as neat sipping.
How to Enjoy
Drink it neat or on a single large cube to let the high-rye spice open up, or put it to work in an Old Fashioned or Manhattan where the 91.8 proof holds its own against bitters and vermouth. Pair with sharp cheddar or dark chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Republic of Indian Stream?
An independent republic (1832–1842) formed by settlers in what is now Pittsburg, New Hampshire, during a US–British Canada border dispute. It adopted its own constitution before the Webster–Ashburton Treaty settled the boundary.
Is 'Border' distilled in New Hampshire?
No — the brand states the whiskey is sourced and aged specifically for them; it is blended and bottled in New Hampshire. The source distillery is not publicly disclosed.
What does "near cask strength" mean?
The whiskey is bottled close to its barrel proof rather than diluted heavily — here, 91.8 proof — preserving more of the barrel character.
Discover more Republic of Indian Stream bottlings and our full bourbon whiskey collection. A tribute pour with real character — order 'Border' Bourbon online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.