Asbury Park Double Barrel Bourbon is aged in new oak and in ex-Gin casks, adding light herbal notes to the classic Bourbon profile.
 
Asbury Park Distilling opened on Memorial Day weekend in 2017. It’s the brainchild and passion of six co-owners lead by Zack Ohebshalom. Master Distiller Bill Tambussi has a masters degree in distilling from the internationally-respected Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, and did his apprenticeship work in Philadelphia before coming to Ashbury Park. As you would expect, their first offerings were Vodka and Gin. But not that there is a bit of time on their side, they have released a Barrel Finished Gin and a Double Barrel Bourbon. The distillery and tasting room are right downtown and they use a custom-made combination still — half pot still, half column still — that lets them do all their work in one.
 
Asbury Park Double Barrel Bourbon follows a traditional Bourbon format, but they age it in new oak and then in the casks used to make their Barrel Finished Gin. The combination takes both familiar and distant with light herbal notes lingering over the heavier apple, spice, and vanilla in the Bourbon. And Esquire magazine called it the Best Bourbon in New Jersey.
 
Smartass corner:
“Greetings from Asbury Park N.J.” was the debut album from Bruce Springsteen one of New Jersey’s favorite sons. It was released in 1973 and rocketed “The Boss” to stardom.