Dread River Straight Bourbon Whiskey is Birmingham, Alabama's first bourbon in more than 100 years, crafted and bottled by Dread River Distilling Co. at their Birmingham distillery. Made from a mash bill of 60% corn, 30% wheat, and 10% malted barley, this 90-proof (45% ABV) straight bourbon is aged for a minimum of 2 years in oak barrels, producing a rich and characterful spirit that represents the flagship release of one of Alabama's most celebrated craft distilleries.

Dread River Distilling Co. was founded in the spirit of adventure by Dr. Jeff Dugas and former Auburn football player John Cubelic, who opened their doors in 2019 with a singular ambition: to bring exceptional craft bourbon back to Birmingham after more than a century of absence. The distillery quickly became a destination for whiskey lovers, pairing production with a vibrant tasting room experience at their facility at 2400 7th Ave S in Birmingham.

On the nose, the bourbon delivers cherry tobacco and sweet dark berries, layered with pastry dough, cocoa powder, vanilla bean, and honey. The palate is soft and oily with flavors of buttered breakfast pastry, toasted brown sugar, and barrel char, developing into notes of earthiness, cinnamon, clove, and honey-roasted peanuts. The finish is short to medium in length, dry and lightly bitter, with lingering baking spices — cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove — and a return of mixed berries before fading gracefully. Rated 3.875 out of 5 by Rickhouse Ramblings.