Freeland Spirits Bourbon Whiskey

Freeland Spirits is one of very few women owned and run distilleries in history. One of Portland’s newer craft distilleries. Freeland is named after founder Jill Kuehler’s grandmother, Freeland, who as Kueler puts it, “never touched a drop of booze in her life but taught me that all good things come from scratch. And that women can be anything they want.”

What It Is & Key Specs

• Producer: Freeland Spirits, Portland, Oregon, USA.

• ABV: 46% (92 proof) for the standard Pinot‑Noir finished bourbon.

• Mash Bill: ~ 70% corn, 20% rye, 10% malted barley.

• Finish / Casks: Finished in French oak barrels that previously held Elk Cove Oregon Pinot Noir wine — giving wine‑cask influence (fruit, berries).

• Blend / Age: It uses a sourced bourbon blended from 3‑year‑old and 12‑year‑old bourbon stocks. It’s NAS (no single age statement).

Tasting Profile & Flavours

Here’s what people report in terms of aroma, taste, and finish:

• Nose (Aroma): Toffee, marmalade, smoked pecan, clove.

• Palate / Taste: Rounded and smooth, soft caramel and baked berries layered with vanilla bean, cocoa, spice.

• Finish: Long and velvety.

Colour described as rich mahogany.

Strengths & Interesting Points

• The wine barrel finish (Oregon Pinot Noir) adds a unique fruit‑berry note and character beyond basic bourbon. It’s not just oak + corn + rye; there’s a regionally‑distinct wine influence.

• It’s produced by a female‑owned / operated distillery (Freeland Spirits) with Molly Troupe as Master Distiller, giving it a modern, craft bourbon context.

• The ABV at 46% gives it a bit more bite than many standard 40% bourbons, helping retain flavour.

Weaknesses / What Some Users Note

• Because it’s relatively young (some portion is 3‑year bourbon), some drinkers find the oak + spice a bit raw or less mature.

• The wine finish may not appeal to people who prefer traditional bourbon flavour (i.e. more vanilla, caramel, oak, less wine/fruit influence). The Pinot Noir finish adds berry / wine notes that shift the profile.

• Some reviews find variations batch to batch: one bottle may show more sweetness, another lean more toward dry oak or spice.

Who It’s Good For

This bourbon is likely to appeal to you if:

• You like bourbons with a twist — not purely standard bourbon, but with added depth from wine barrel finishing.

• You appreciate craft / small distillery spirits and stories behind them.

• You prefer a smoother bourbon with fruit/berry undertones but still with enough proof to hold up.

It might be less ideal if you:

• Want deeply aged bourbons with heavy oak or very long maturation.

• Prefer very traditional bourbon flavours with minimal finishing.

• Dislike wine cask influences or anything that reduces the pure corn/vanilla/oak profile.