Review: Old Dominick Reserve Bourbon 8 Years Old

As Old Dominick Distillery in Memphis comes into its own, its house-distilled whiskey has steadily improved, evolving in character and complexity as its age statements climb. While the Memphis distillery makes Tennessee whiskey, Old Dominick also distills bourbon made with a high-rye mashbill of 52% corn, 44% rye, and 4% malted barley.

On August 1, 2025, Old Dominick unveiled its most mature release to date: Old Dominick Reserve Bourbon 8 Years Old. While the eight-year age statement is the first thing to catch the eye, the mashbill marks a significant departure from previous bourbons. This release features the same mashbill as Old Dominick’s Tennessee whiskey—75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley.

Like all whiskey produced at Old Dominick using the 13% rye mashbill, Reserve Bourbon undergoes the Lincoln County Process—a sugar maple charcoal filtration before barreling, a hallmark of Tennessee whiskey. However, unlike the more intense application seen at Jack Daniel’s, Old Dominick’s filtration is minimal, utilizing a charcoal bed not much larger than a coffee can. Despite this gentler approach, it still satisfies the state’s requirements for Tennessee whiskey and fully complies with the federal standards of identity for bourbon.

Old Dominick Reserve Bourbon qualifies as both a Tennessee whiskey and a bourbon, much like George Dickel Bourbon. However, for this release, Old Dominick chooses to label it simply as bourbon, highlighting its flavor-driven identity rather than leaning on geographical classification.

The legal nuances are notable. While Tennessee has strict state-level regulations protecting the term “Tennessee whiskey,” federal law does not recognize it as a distinct category beyond a NAFTA clause defining it as “straight bourbon produced only in Tennessee.” Aside from Prichard’s, all Tennessee whiskey producers are required by state law to use the charcoal mellowing process—though how that process is executed remains up to the distiller.

Old Dominick’s Reserve Bourbon is the culmination of careful production choices: 4 to 6 days of fermentation, distillation on a Vendome still at 130 proof, charcoal filtration, and barrel entry at 110 proof. The spirit is aged in heavy #4 char barrels from Independent Stave Company, constructed from locally sourced West Tennessee white oak. After at least eight years in the barrel, the result is a matured whiskey that firmly asserts Tennessee whiskey’s rightful place in the world of bourbon.

So yes—Old Dominick just drove another nail into the coffin of the argument that “Tennessee whiskey isn’t bourbon.” But at the end of the day, what really matters is: Is the whiskey good?

Let’s find out.

Old Dominick Reserve Bourbon 8 Years Old Review

The nose opens with char-grilled peaches and honey Graham crackers, followed by a brief touch of earthiness that quickly gives way to a splash of grenadine and a final flourish of milk chocolate. The overall aromatic profile leans decidedly sweet—sweeter than most bourbons—placing it more in line with what one might expect from a Tennessee whiskey.

On the palate, the sweetness intensifies in a way that’s bold but not cloying. It starts with a hit of southern pralines before veering unexpectedly—but playfully—into Grape Big League Chew. Shortbread cookies and strawberry jam follow, keeping the experience engaging and varied. The whiskey’s richly textured mouthfeel, thanks to the minimal charcoal filtration, makes each flavor linger longer than expected.

While the aroma leans sweet, the flavor profile commits to it fully—and impressively manages to keep each note clearly defined. The finish is no exception, beginning with a honey-forward impression so prominent it could pass for a honey cask finish in a blind tasting. It wraps up with caramel and milk chocolate, delivering a final sensation not unlike a melted Milk Dud.

Old Dominick Reserve Bourbon is undeniably sweet from beginning to end—but in a way that feels deliberate and confident. It’s not your standard bourbon profile, and that’s precisely the point. For those wary of sweeter whiskey, this might not be the one. But for those open to a dessert-like pour—or for anyone who already appreciates the sweeter side of Tennessee whiskey—this is a compelling and rewarding bottle. When I want something with a sweeter edge that still brings complexity and character, Old Dominick Reserve Bourbon would be at the top of my list.

100 proof.

A- / $60

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