Whiskey and sea have always been good friends with good and sometimes bitter memories. With Jefferson's Ocean Aged At Sea bottles, they are in the utmost search of the impact of aging at the sea, particularly aging at the sea and ocean conditions for a longer period compassing different regions, enduring challenging natural environmental phenomenons.
Voyage 25 has a special wheated mash bill, like a couple previous releases. There was very little activity in the Atlantic at the time of the departure from Savannah, Georgia, but it was far from quiet. Ground swells are ever present in the restless sea. And while it may have the appearance of being calm and smooth, it is constantly working the bourbon in the barrels, giving it greater contact with the wood than sitting still in a land-locked warehouse. This gentle action continued down to and through the Panama Canal and out into the South Pacific on the way to the equator and Tahiti.
With no storms to contend with, Voyage 25 was treated to one spectacular sunrise and sunset after another. Well known for offering sailors and islanders of the Pacific stunning displays in the morning and evening skies, an increase in volcanic activity in the Hawaiian Islands and Philippians took it to a higher level due to the ash in the upper atmosphere. Slight seas carried us to Auckland, New Zealand and from there to a new port of call on the voyage to Noumea, New Caledonia. The crossing to Brisbane, Australia was virtually the only rough water OCEAN Voyage 25 encountered on the entire journey.
Through the South Australian Basin to Fremantle, and up into the Philippine Basin, the calm waters mirrored the reds and purples that streaked the evening skies. There was a peace and quiet about Voyage 25. A beauty that was imparted to the bourbon she carried and lingered until we reached our final port back in Savannah. As expected, the wheated bourbon is immediately subtle on the nose and dry up front. Unexpected is its slight burnt brown sugar taste and light liquorice finish. Bottled at 45% abv.
