Hooten Young is a brand you might not be familiar with, but they offer some amazing bottles, including the Hooten Young Jack Carr 16-Year American Whiskey. This bottle is marked as warrior-proof, which is one step above barrel-proof, and who is going to argue with a former Navy Seal?
Hooten Young is veteran-owned, and we appreciate their dedication to the military and the bourbon world. Hooten Young was established by former Special Operations Soldier, Master Sgt. Norm Hooten and Tim Young. The duo founded Hooten & Young Wine and Spirits as a tribute to the brave men and women of the armed forces who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. If you’ve seen the movie Black Hawk Down, you’ll recall Hooten as Eric Bana’s character.
The Hooten Young Jack Carr 16-Year American Whiskey, a limited-release whiskey that builds on the company’s partnership with former Navy SEAL, New York Times Best-Selling Author, and outdoorsman Jack Carr. Author of The Terminal List, a book series turned Amazon Prime original series, Jack Carr played a pivotal role in co-creating this special 16-year bourbon.
Hooten Young 16-Year
Classification: American Whiskey
Brand: Hooten & Young
Distillery: Distilled by MGP in Indiana
Release Date: May 2023
Proof: 125
Age: 16 Years
Mashbill: 99% Corn, 1% Malted Barley
Color: Gold
MSRP: $169 / 750mL (2024)
Hooten Young Jack Carr 16-Year Tasting Notes
At 125 proof, this is a whiskey we recommend drinking neat or with a few drops of distilled or mineral water. Staying true to Hooten Young’s master mash bill, this American Whiskey is 99% corn and 1% barley. With its high corn percentage, the 125-proof is made smoother and sweeter. While it is still a big bourbon, the high corn ratio does make it more approachable.
Nose: The Hooten Young Jack Carr presents a range of sweet aromas on the nose, including light oak, a hint of vanilla, and a touch of brown sugar.
Palate: Hints of leather and oak emerge as the wine progresses, leading to flavors reminiscent of cinnamon, apples, and brown sugar. It makes me think of a warm apple pit from Mom’s house. You can also feel the proof at this point.
Finish: The finish delivers a quick burst of sweetness and hints of white peppercorn and oak, followed by a light wave of spices and heat.
Overall: Despite its shortcomings in the finish, the price is a tad high, but not out of the ordinary for a 16-year bourbon. This well-aged 99% corn whiskey would appeal to enthusiasts who prefer mash bills similar to Hooten Young’s 99% corn
Enjoy
Anyone who loves big whiskies. Those who don’t like higher proof ours, leave this one alone or try it at a friend’s house or out. If you want something a little lower-proof, go for the 12-year American whiskey. This is a fantastic pour and a more everyday pour.
Worth the Price
I would splurge for this for sure, I just might not tell my wife. Definitely not an every night drinker, but maybe a pour here and there and this bottle will go a ways. I also like to enjoy this after the 12-year and when my pallet is “warmed up”
Bottle or Bar
I usually suggest buying a pour before a bottle when the cost is this high, but finding a pour might be difficult. I have never seen a Hooten Young product in a bar or restaurant. You would definitely need to find a tasting room.
Who is Hooten Young
Norm Hooten and Tim Young are buddies and veterans. The story goes like this …. Sitting fireside on a chilly winter evening, former Special Mission Unit Member (MSG RET) Norm Hooten and Tim Young were swapping tales from days gone by with friends in between long pulls of their cigars and slow sips of whiskey. The men reminisced about the friends they made and lost along the way, and as the night grew colder, that’s when the idea of Hooten Young was born.
That night brought memories of the past into thoughts of the future. They realized that one of the best ways to honor those gone before was to keep their stories alive, stories they found easier to tell as the nights went on. The question became how to make the most of those long nights. For these guys, it was a great cigar, a rich bourbon, or a vintage red that lasted through the evening.
They realized that the things that brought them together, would do the same for others. Born from the stories they shared, Hooten Young was created with the idea to help people slow down, bond with the people around them, remember those who are no longer here, and celebrate the selfless acts of servicemen and servicewomen.
