Diversify The Bar
Henderson Spirits Group
Indianapolis, Indiana - Est. 2020
History
Henderson Spirits Group is an award-winning spirits company founded in 2013 by retired NBA player Alan Henderson. With a mission to “Diversify the Bar,” the company produces spirits that honor African Americans who have made significant, but often overlooked, contributions to the history of the spirits industry.
Products
Henderson Spirits Group currently offers spirits under two main brands, which are available in more than 30 states:
- Tom Bullock’s
- Tom Bullock’s Burnt Orange Bourbon
: Launched in fall 2021, this bourbon features a hint of smoky, caramelized orange flavor. The brand honors Tom Bullock, a black head bartender who wrote The Ideal Bartender, a book published in 1917 that was one of the first cocktail books by an African American.
- Tom Bullock’s Old Tom Gin w/ Sweet Lime
: This London-distilled gin uses sweet lime for a zesty and fragrant flavor profile. It launched in fall 2021.
- Birdie Brown
- Birdie Brown Straight Wheat Whiskey
: This award-winning whiskey is made with Montana wheat, oats, and barley and is aged for at least three years. It was named the 2024 Wheat Whiskey of the Year by the Bartender Spirits Awards.
- Birdie Brown Plain Hooch
: An unaged, 100-proof whiskey made from a base of wheat, oat, and barley. It offers a super smooth finish and was the first product released by the company in spring 2020. The brand is named after Maggie “Birdie” Brown, a Prohibition-era bootlegger and entrepreneur.
The Magic Room
Tom Bullocks
Tom Bullock’s Burnt Orange Bourbon is a smooth, 4-year-old flavored straight bourbon infused with the essence of caramelized orange rind. The bourbon is available to purchase online and in select stores, although some retailers note that it is in high demand and may go out of stock.
About the brand
The Henderson Spirits Group is dedicated to honoring Black Americans who have made significant contributions to the spirits industry but whose stories may have been overlooked. The bourbon is a tribute to Tom Bullock, an early 20th-century African-American bartender who, in 1917, became the first Black American to publish a cocktail recipe book called The Ideal Bartender.
Tasting notes and reviews
Inspired by Tom Bullock’s technique of flaming orange peels, this bourbon has a sweet and smoky burnt orange flavor. It presents bright citrus aromas on the nose, with fruity notes of stone fruit, peach, and apricot, balanced orange, and baking spices on the palate. The finish is described as long and savory, with lingering hints of orange and spice. Reviewers find it versatile for sipping or in cocktails, often praising its smoothness, although some find it quite sweet. The bourbon has received awards, including wins at the 2023 USA Spirits Ratings and the 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards.
Old Tom Gin
Tom Bullock’s Old Tom Gin is a spirit imported from a London distiller and infused with sweet lime. The brand honors Tom Bullock, who, in 1917, became the first African American to publish a cocktail recipe book, The Ideal Bartender.
Flavor profile and history
The gin is distilled by the Henderson Spirits Group, a Black-owned company founded by former NBA player Alan Henderson.
- Aroma: Features notes of fresh lime, Meyer lemon, and grapefruit.
- Palate: The flavor is a balanced mix of lime cordial, subtle woody notes, and floral sweetness, with a mild juniper finish.
- Finish: Clean and refreshing, with lingering hints of citrus and sweetness.
- Historical inspiration: The modern gin is an updated take on Bullock’s original Old Tom gin recipe, crafted to be reminiscent of a cocktail he would have made.
Straight Wheat Whisky
Birdie Brown Straight Wheat Whiskey is a premium American whiskey produced by the Henderson Spirits Group.The whiskey is aged for a minimum of three years and is inspired by the story of African American homesteader Birdie Brown, who was known for her homemade distilled spirits in early 1900s Montana.
Flavor profile and specifications
- Proof: 90 proof (45% ABV), according to Ur Friend Charles.
- Grains: A blend of wheat, oats, and barley is used to distill this whiskey. The grains are sourced from a family farm in Montana.
- Aging: Aged for a minimum of three years in new, charred American oak barrels.
Plain Hooch
Birdie Brown Plain Hooch is an unaged, white whiskey distilled in Montana by the Henderson Spirits Group. Made with a mash bill of oats, wheat, and barley, the whiskey is a tribute to African American homesteader Birdie Brown, who was known for her exceptional homemade spirits during Prohibition. The product honors her legacy of entrepreneurship and resilience.
Production and story
- A historical tribute: Birdie Brown was one of the few African American female homesteaders in the early 1900s. During Prohibition, she gained notoriety for the high-quality, smooth hooch she made from homegrown grains. This whiskey is produced in the same small-batch style.
- Spirit type: Unlike traditional brown whiskey, this is an unaged “white whiskey” or moonshine, meaning it does not spend time in barrels. This results in a clear spirit with a strong flavor of the grains.
- Mash bill: The grain mixture includes oats, wheat, and barley, providing a balanced, nutty, and subtly sweet flavor.
- Proof: The whiskey is bottled at 100 proof, or 50% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Flavor profile and reviews
- Nose: It has delicate aromas of a morning grain harvest with subtle hints of sweetness.
- Palate: The taste is described as having a smooth and creamy texture, with flavors of toasted oats, sweet wheat, and a hint of barley malt.
- Finish: It offers a clean and crisp finish with a gentle warmth, reflecting its grain origins.
- Reception: The whiskey has been praised for its smoothness, with one review noting that it “Drinks more like whiskey than moonshine”. Another customer called it a “delightful surprise,” praising its use in cocktails.
Uses
Birdie Brown Plain Hooch
‘s smooth, grainy profile makes it a versatile spirit for a variety of drinks.
- Neat or on the rocks: Its smoothness allows it to be sipped straight.
- Cocktail mixer: It can be used in place of vodka, gin, or traditional whiskey in cocktails. The brand’s website suggests recipes like the “Birdie Hooch Sour”.
- Simple serves: It pairs well with mixers like tonic water or ginger ale.
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