Milam & Greene Whiskey recently released the first batch of their new The Castle Hill Series bourbon, a vintage batch of 13-year-old hand-selected bourbons bottled at barrel proof. The distillery has only produced twenty barrels to create this release, making it the most limited of their boutique whiskeys which have earned top awards at the recent San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Under the strategic direction of CEO, master blender, and New York Times shortlisted author, Heather Greene, Milam & Greene’s Castle Hill Series celebrates the art and skill of blending vintage whiskey to create a bourbon that highlights complex flavors from several single casks. Greene honed her blending skills while evaluating Scotch whisky for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Scotland, as well as while working with numerous distilleries around the globe before bringing her talent to Milam & Greene in 2018. She has also helped many other beloved distilleries and brands around the United States behind the scenes become major players in the business.
Greene said, “I approach blending with express intent and purpose. I think of various barrels the way I think about spices in a cabinet. Each barrel brings its own unique character, and the end result should be balanced, flavorful, and elegant. I created this first batch of The Castle Hill Series to please whiskey drinkers looking for traditional lush notes of cherry, vanilla, and almonds juxtaposed with tannins and tobacco, and it finishes a bit drier than might be expected. I find these kinds of complexities exciting.”
The series is named for the historic Texas Military Institute, also known as “The Castle,” which overlooks the Capitol Building in Austin, Texas. Greene spent hours inside the Castle in isolation during 2020 helping to create this first batch of this limited edition, while growing Milam & Greene into a national brand. The Castle, which is now home to Greene’s blending lab, will soon have an elegant private whiskey tasting room to showcase the art of whiskey blending. Milam & Greene operations, warehousing, and distilling remain in Blanco, Texas under the helm of master distiller, Marlene Holmes