Paul Sutton Bourbon is set to release its first limited-edition whiskey, featuring a distinctive leather tie around the neck of the bottle. This release is particularly special as it marks the debut of Myra Barginear, a seventh-generation bourbon maker, in the commercial whiskey market. Barginear hails from a family with a long history of whiskey production, dating back over 100 years. However, she is the first in her family to bottle and sell the product.

Founded in 2013, Paul Sutton Bourbon has now crafted its first limited release. Available in only ten states, this premium whiskey is bottled at cask strength and priced at $89. Barginear explains that the bourbon, named the “Heritage Collection,” is a tribute to her daughter Holland, whose name starts with an “H,” and also honors bourbon heritage month. The product has been carefully selected by the distillery’s head distiller from 25 of their best barrels, aged for seven years, representing Barginear’s seventh generation.

Barginear is proud to carry on her family’s bourbon-making legacy. She fondly remembers her grandfather, Ronnie Sutton, who was an engineer by trade but had a true passion for whiskey production. His meticulous and innovative approach, utilizing a sweet mash process and barrel aging, set their bourbon apart. However, when Sutton passed away 15 years ago, he took his mash recipe with him. This loss deeply affected Barginear, who likened it to a family chocolate cake recipe that no one could recreate exactly.

Driven by a desire to preserve her family’s heritage, Barginear embarked on a mission to rediscover the lost recipe. Armed with samples of her grandfather’s bourbon, she turned to scientific methods to reverse-engineer the mash bill and yeast strain. Collaborating with Ferm-Solutions, she flew to Kentucky with a mason jar of the bourbon. The analytical techniques employed by the experts provided her with the precise details needed to recreate the century-old recipe.

Barginear’s dedication to her grandfather’s legacy led her to co-found Paul Sutton Bourbon alongside her husband. While her grandfather may no longer be with them, she believes he would be proud of the family’s achievements and the bourbon they are sharing with the world. Being close to her grandfather, he affectionately called her Magoo, a reference to the cartoon character Mr. Magoo. Barginear can almost hear him cheering her on, saying, “You got this, Magoo.”

This limited release from Paul Sutton Bourbon not only signifies Barginear’s entry into the commercial whiskey market but also showcases her commitment to preserving and honoring her family’s bourbon-making traditions. With the precise recreation of her grandfather’s mash recipe, she has not only produced a remarkable bourbon but also etched her family’s legacy in the annals of the whiskey industry. As Barginear looks ahead, she feels that this is just the beginning of their journey, allowing her family’s passion for bourbon making to flourish and continue making its mark.