Inspiration for DEXTER – Craft the Best Spirit in the World

Dexter is our never ending quest to make the best spirit In the world! This means a fullness of flavor – a luscious mouth feel – and a satisfyingly long finish.

To create the best spirit in the world took the combined brain power of all three of our Master Whiskey Makers – Doug, Joe and Phillip. Importantly, it also took rethinking and revising everything we knew about WoodCraft Finishing. The final product contains the wisdom from each of our whiskey makers. 

The hard work was rewarded when the Ultimate Spirit Challenge awarded Dexter a 95 rating and selected it as one of the best spirits In the world!  Specifically it was named as one of the Top 100 Spirits (one of just 12 Bourbons on the list).

FUN FACTS

• The brand name was an easy decision. The best spirit in the world deserved a branding that is equally epic. In the 1800s, Edmund Dexter was a world famous American whiskey maker. Guests at his home on fourth street in Cincinnati included the Prince of Wales (future King George VII) and Charles Dickens.
• Importantly, Edmund Dexter was an EXPERT whiskey maker not a distiller. He would buy special barrels from farmers and distillers. Then, he’d use his expertise, like brands such as Pappy Van Winkle did, to create world-class whiskey.
• Our first bottling of Dexter was released on January 2, 2021.  It sold out in 57 minutes!
• Dexter is crafted from a 36% rye straight bourbon
• Dexter was a Covid project. When the world shutdown and our bottling moved from whiskey to hand sanitizer (we ended up giving away over 500,000 bottles worth of hand sanitizer), we challenged ourselves to create the ultimate bourbon – the result was Dexter.

 Joe, Doug and Phillip (taking picture) tasting another round of Dexter candidates. Our quest is simple – create the best spirit in the world. 

TASTING NOTES

Bitter Chocolate, Orange Peel, and Vanilla nose. A Palate of Earthy, Peppery Rye combines with Cherry, Caramel and Cocoa gives way to a long and supple finish

SIGNATURE COCKTAILS

Dexter is a product that is most often drank neat or over ice. That said, it also makes for luxurious cocktails. Here are three of our favorites. 

Charles Dickens Bourbon Smash

In 1842, Charles Dickens stayed with Edmund Dexter at his home in Cincinnati.    Dickens was a fan of mint juleps. The recipe below is a modernized version of a recipe he shared with fellow writer Washington Irving. The drink is a cross between a mint julep and a sour (using orange instead of the classic lemon).

Ingredients

• 1 Orange Wedge 
• 5 Mint Leaves
• 1/2 oz of Simple Syrup
• 2 oz of Dexter

Directions

Combine the orange, mint leaves and simple syrup in a shaker and muddle together. Next, add 2 oz of Dexter and shake for 12 seconds. Serve in a chilled coupe glass or in an old fashioned glass with fresh ice.

Prince of Wales Cocktail

In 1860, the Prince of Wales (future King Edward VII) stayed with Edmund Dexter at his home in Cincinnati. He is credited with this cocktail in a book written by a member of the royal household. We’ve modernized it to the tastes of today. 

Ingredients

• 2 oz of Dexter
• 1 tsp. of Simple Syrup 
• 1 tsp. of Pineapple Juice
• Dash of Angostura or Brain Brew 1862 bitters
• 1 oz Sparkling Water or Champagne

Directions

Combine Dexter, syrup, juice and bitters in shaker. Shake the ingredients with ice for 12 seconds. Pour in glass with ice and finish with 1 oz of sparkling wine or champagne.

Paper Plane Cocktail 

This is a modern classic invented in 2008 by Sam Ross of New York City.  It strikes a beautiful balance between bitter, sour and herbal notes. 

Ingredients 

• 3/4 ounce of Aperol
• 3/4 ounce of Dexter 
• 3/4 ounce of Amaro Nonimo
• 3/4 ounce of lemon juice.

Directions

Combine ingredients in shaker and shake with ice for 12 seconds. Serve in a chilled coupe glass over fresh ice.