Mayor Pingree Red Label Bourbon 750ML is a 94-proof (47% ABV) high-rye blended bourbon from Valentine Distilling Co. in Ferndale, Michigan. Released as a batch series, the Red Label line has earned a 91-point score from Whisky Advocate (Winter 2023) and a 94-point rating from Tastings.com, underscoring its position as one of Michigan's most critically recognized bourbons.Quick Facts: ABV: 47% (94 Proof) | Origin: Ferndale, Michigan | High-Rye Blended Bourbon | Distillery: Valentine Distilling Co.Production & HeritageValentine Distilling Co., founded in 2007 by Rifino Valentine, operates out of Ferndale, Michigan, and has become one of the state's most acclaimed craft distilleries. Mayor Pingree Red Label combines triple pot-distilled bourbon produced in-house with traditional column-distilled bourbon sourced from Lawrenceburg, Indiana. The mashbill features a high-rye grain bill ranging from 27% to 37% rye content, contributing pronounced spice character. What truly distinguishes the Red Label is its barrel program: staves are air-dried for a full 24 months — far exceeding the industry standard of three to six months — and barrels are produced with two different char levels, creating layered oak influence and deeper flavor extraction throughout maturation.Tasting NotesAroma: Rich dark cherries emerge first, followed by buttered popcorn and charred orange peel. A warm undercurrent of honey and honeycomb sweetness rounds out the nose, with cinnamon and clove from the high-rye grain adding complexity.Taste: The palate opens with butterscotch pudding and apricot fruitiness before transitioning into a harmonious wave of warm baking spices — anise, clove, and allspice dominate the mid-palate. The high rye percentage drives a persistent spiciness that balances against the sweeter caramel and honeycomb notes, while subtle wood influence keeps things grounded.Finish: Medium-long with a distinctive buttered popcorn quality, trailing into maple sugar and a surprising tropical note of pineapple juice. The dual-char barrel treatment shows itself in lingering toasted oak and gentle sweetness that fades slowly.How to Drink Mayor Pingree Red LabelAt 94 proof, this bourbon drinks well neat or with a single ice cube, which opens up the fruit and butterscotch notes without diminishing the spice. A few drops of water can accentuate the honeycomb sweetness and soften the rye-driven heat. Old Fashioned: The pronounced spice and dark cherry character stand up to bitters and sugar without getting lost. Boulevardier: The high-rye backbone matches well against Campari's bitterness, while the bourbon's fruit notes complement sweet vermouth. Gold Rush: Honey syrup and lemon amplify the existing honeycomb and citrus-peel aromatics already present in the whiskey. Best For Bourbon enthusiasts exploring Michigan's craft distilling scene Gifting to someone who values unique production techniques and small-batch releases Side-by-side tastings comparing pot-distilled versus column-distilled bourbon influence Weekend sipping sessions where you want a bourbon with enough complexity to hold your attention Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Mayor Pingree Red Label taste like? Mayor Pingree Red Label delivers a rich profile led by butterscotch, dark cherry, and warm baking spices like clove and allspice, with an unexpected buttered popcorn quality on the finish. The high-rye mashbill (27–37% rye) drives noticeable spice throughout.How does Mayor Pingree Red Label compare to Woodford Reserve? Both bourbons incorporate pot-distilled spirit, but Mayor Pingree blends pot-distilled and column-distilled bourbons from two different states, while Woodford Reserve uses a triple pot-distilled process entirely at its Kentucky distillery. The Red Label's higher rye content gives it more assertive spice compared to Woodford Reserve's softer, fruit-forward grain character.Is Mayor Pingree Red Label good for sipping neat? Yes — the 94-proof strength is approachable enough for neat sipping while delivering sufficient intensity and complexity to reward slow, deliberate tasting. The extended stave-seasoning process contributes a refined oak character that avoids harshness.Where is Mayor Pingree Red Label made? Mayor Pingree Red Label is produced by Valentine Distilling Co. in Ferndale, Michigan, which handles the triple pot distillation in-house. The blend also includes column-distilled bourbon from Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a region renowned for bourbon production.What foods pair well with Mayor Pingree Red Label? Smoked pork ribs complement the bourbon's charred oak and spice notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère cheese echoes its butterscotch richness. Pecan pie mirrors the maple sugar finish. Dark chocolate with orange amplifies the charred orange peel aromatics. Charcuterie boards with dried stone fruits play well against the apricot and cherry character.What sizes does Mayor Pingree Red Label come in? Mayor Pingree Red Label Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.Is Mayor Pingree Red Label worth the price? Mayor Pingree Red Label positions as a premium craft bourbon, and its 91-point Whisky Advocate score and labor-intensive production — including 24-month air-dried staves and a pot-still/column-still blending process — justify its placement above mass-market bourbons in the same proof range.Why Mayor Pingree Red Label?The 24-month stave air-drying program is the defining detail here — it's four to eight times longer than the industry standard, and the resulting barrel character is evident in every sip. Blending Michigan pot-distilled bourbon with Indiana column-distilled bourbon gives the Red Label a textural complexity that single-process bourbons rarely achieve. A 91-point score from Whisky Advocate and a 94-point score from Tastings.com confirm that the approach translates into real quality. For drinkers looking beyond Kentucky's established names, this is a high-rye bourbon with genuine craft credentials and documented critical acclaim.
