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Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin
Sam Houston 15-Year-Bourbon is the oldest bourbon the brand has to offer as of this date.
Our team bought a bottle to give you our honest two cents in this review and tell you if this premium bourbon is worth the splurge.
All About Sam Houston 15 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Sam Houston 15 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is an enjoyable premium bourbon. The lengthy aging process gives it plenty of woody goodness while still smooth and sophisticated.
These limited edition bottles were crafted from specific barrels in a private reserve and bottled at 103 proof. Because of this, no two batches are the same, but each one showcases the care and craft put into creating this limited edition Kentucky bourbon.
Sam Houston also releases special annual small batches, which we appreciate.
Fun Facts
Ownership
Sam Houston is owned by the Western Spirits Beverage Company, located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Western Spirits also owns other brands, including Lexington, Bird Dog Whiskey, and Calumet Farm Bourbon.
Production Process
Sam Houston 15 Year Aged Bourbon is made from hand-selected reserves that had been aging for a minimum of 15 years in American white oak barrels charred at the #4 level.
Mash Bill
Sam Houston 15 Year Aged Bourbon is distilled from a corn-heavy mash bill: a whopping 74 percent of it. Other grains used were rye at 18 percent and malted barley at 8 percent.
Tasting Notes
Palate
It’s pleasantly woodsy on the tongue, with spearmint and peppery spice. It also has layers of fruit, kind of like a fruit punch.
Nose
It is decidedly spicy on the nose, with rye and nutmeg. It’s also pretty woodsy, with sweet oak and cedar. There is also a hint of cherry, leather, and vanilla.
Appearance
The spirit’s color is on the copper side, almost like a thick, vibrant orange.
Finish
Sam Houston’s finish is pleasantly long, without the accompanying heat that you might expect. Its finish is rife with woodsy and spicy notes, black cherry and licorice, and heavy barrel char.
Price & Value
A 750ml bottle of Sam Houston 15-Year-Old costs around $150 — and this great bourbon is worth every penny spent.
Who Is Sam Houston?
Sam Houston isn’t actually the man behind the brand but rather the iconic figure they attributed their bottle to.
Houston, born in the 1800s, was a prominent figure in United States politics. He served as a congressman, governor, and even the president of the Republic of Texas twice. You can say that he was one of the main reasons Texas became independent.
Before dabbling into politics, he was a fierce soldier and battle strategist. He led a small team of only 350 men to battle against Mexican General Santa Anna, who had a considerably larger army with him.
A detachment of Texans captured Santa Anna, and he was forced to sign the Treaty of Velasco, which granted the state independence.
He was bold, patriotic, and true, and the brand hopes that you find their liquor just the same.
Common Sam Houston Bourbon Price
| Type | Size | Alcohol By Volume | Average Price |
| Release No. 1 of Sam Houston 12-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | 750ml | 49% | Around $115 |
| Release No. 2 of Sam Houston 12-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | 750ml | 49% | Around $115 |
| Release No. 3 of Sam Houston 12-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | 750ml | 49% | Around $115 |
| Release No. 4 of Sam Houston Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 14-Year-Old | 750ml | 49% | Around $119 |
| Release No. 5 of Sam Houston Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 14-Year-Old | 750ml | 49% | Around $120 |
| Releases No. 6 (Spring) of Sam Houston 15-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | 750ml | 51.5% | Around $130 |
| Releases No.7 (Fall) of Sam Houston 15-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | 750ml | 51.5% | Around $150 |
Compared to Other Bourbon Whiskeys
Basil Hayden’s Kentucky
Basil Hayden is aged for eight years inside charred American white oak barrels before being bottled at 80 proof. It’s pretty rye-heavy at 27 percent, with the remaining 63 percent corn and 10 percent malted barley. It’s heavy with butterscotch and honey on the nose, with notes of light caramel, vanilla, and citrus on the tongue.
Basil Hayden’s costs around $35, cheaper than Sam Houston’s.
Woodford Reserve
Woodford Reserve is one of the most popular choices for consumers looking to experience American whiskey. It uses almost the same mash bill as Sam’s and ages between six to seven years in virgin white oak. It’s a bit basic in flavor, with honey, vanilla, and marshmallow taking center stage on the tongue — overall, not bad, but nothing special, either.
A 750ml bottle of Woodford Reserve costs around $35 still, which is a lot cheaper.
Four Roses
Four Roses is rich and sweet, with heavy notes of caramel, vanilla, cherry, and hints of chocolate. Its finish is long and dry, with light oak notes. It’s a completely approachable whiskey yet complex enough for connoisseurs and one of the best bargains for a single barrel. [1]
Four Roses remains one of the few brands that’ve kept their SRP below $50, despite the rise of small-batch whiskey prices over the past few years. The spirit has 100 proof.
FAQs
Can you use Sam Houston 15-year Kentucky straight bourbon in cocktails?
Yes, you can definitely use Sam Houston 15-Year-Bourbon in cocktails, but we advise not to. The flavors are too complex and exquisite to be used in mixed drinks and the whiskey will not shine the way it’s meant to. If you ask us, it’s best to drink this dram neat.
Where is Sam Houston 15-year-old bourbon sourced from?
Sam Houston 15-Year-Bourbon hails from Bardstown, Kentucky. It is produced by Three Springs Bottling Company, which also produces Calumet Farm.
In Summary
Sam Houston 15-Year-Old Bourbon is definitely worth every buck, considering its lengthy aging period and the complexity of the flavors.
The spirit was crafted from specific barrels in a private reserve to give the spirit a decidedly woodsy and spicy flavor. It also features leather and cherry on both the nose and palate.
If you are lucky enough to come across one of these exclusive batches on the shelves of your favorite liquor store, trust us when we say that you should definitely order one as its availability is fleeting. Share it with our friends so they can enjoy the experience, too.
We hope you learned a thing or two about this whiskey, and as always, thanks for reading!
References:
- https://www.pastemagazine.com/drink/whiskey/best-single-barrel-bourbon-definition-prices/
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
