Backbone Bourbon Company was formed in 2014 (although 2 of the brands have been sold in Indiana since 2011). Our approach is to utilize our vast experience and expertise to source the highest quality barrels from distilleries and then elevate these whiskeys via unique blends and finishes. We believe in bold flavors and high proof whiskies and want our brands to stand out across a crowded room. They must always show consistent quality and exceed expectations for their price.
Our original brand, Backbone Uncut, was started out of frustration. We had an Indiana bourbon supplier drop us, citing a need for bigger and better representation. We wished that supplier had more “backbone”.
Within a few months, our frustration turned to excitement as we started truly developing the brand. It was 2011, and the American Whiskey industry was about to take off. We began investing in aged bourbon and rye barrels. Our brands were exclusively sold in Indiana until mid-way through 2014. At this point, we were able to launch them in a few states outside of Indiana.
For us, the word “Backbone” means strength of character. The first samples we tasted were straight from the barrel. The distillery had sent a small sample bottle that displayed the proof as a healthy 114.9. We never gave it a second thought, thinking that all proper bourbon brands had to be around 90 proof. We kept tasting the barrel sample and kept really enjoying it. We had many conversations regarding how much we should “cut” the alcohol. We went back and forth, considering things like yield, consumer preferences and industry standards.
To help us decide, we brought in an expert to taste our barrel sample. This expert is larger than life and knows the bourbon consumer world like few others. We poured all that remained of our sample bottle (still a healthy pour) in a glass thinking that we would all have a taste of our sample and share our opinions. Well, our expert turned his back, looked to the stars, looked at the color, took one breath, and drained the precious remains of our barrel sample. He turned around a simply said: “DON’T CUT IT”…
Well, we didn’t!
That moment solidified our identity as a whiskey company and crystallized our vision for well made, high proof products.
Bill Kennedy & Nolan Smith (co-founders)
