Hooten Young 8 Year American Whiskey 750ml

Hooten Young was founded by retired Delta Force MSgt. Norm Hooten and Tim Young, built 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 film Black Hawk Down, Hooten is the real soldier portrayed by Eric Bana on screen. The 8 Year expression, genuinely "for the slow times" as the brand's own copy puts it, is distilled in Indiana from a distinctive 99% corn, 1% barley mash bill, resting a full eight years in oak barrels before bottling. The whiskey was discovered and developed alongside Master Sommelier George Miliotes, one of just 268 Master Sommeliers in the world, who described the selection process directly: "we tasted a large number of barrels... and in the end it loops back as a Master Sommelier though, I wanted something that tasted really, really good and that was different."

This exact release has earned genuine, independently judged recognition: Platinum, Best in Class at the 2024 SIP Awards, one of the largest all-consumer-judged blind spirits competitions in the country.

The Whiskey Wash's Faith Raspante reviewed a related 12-year expression sharing this same distinctive mash bill and house style, finding it "satisfying and well rounded with intense notes of maple, candy corn and brown sugar," "not terribly complex but warm and inviting," with "rich oak" making "itself known first," developing "maple bar, caramel and vanilla" on the mid-palate before thinning "out to an incredibly smooth and lasting finish of cream soda followed by lemon meringue," concluding "the appearance and well balanced sweetness of Hooten Young reminded me of a fine highland scotch." Nestor Liquor's official tasting notes describe "warm and inviting" aromas of "sweet baked corn and maple syrup," balanced "by rich vanilla bean and seasoned oak," the palate "smooth, full-bodied, and deeply sweet," with the 99% corn mash bill delivering "heavy notes of butterscotch, caramel, and honey," rounded out "by a sturdy oak influence," the finish "long, mellow, and satisfying." This is genuinely well-crafted, gently sweet American whiskey — real patience behind a full eight years of maturation, from a brand built with genuine respect for military service at its core.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Hooten Young 8 Year American Whiskey is distilled by MGP in Indiana, from a mash bill of 99% corn and 1% barley, matured a full eight years in oak barrels. The brand was founded by retired Delta Force MSgt. Norm Hooten and Tim Young, honoring the men and women of the armed forces, with the whiskey discovered and developed alongside Master Sommelier George Miliotes, one of only 268 Master Sommeliers in the world. This release earned Platinum, Best in Class honors at the 2024 SIP Awards. Bottled at 46% ABV / 92 proof, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

Platinum, Best in Class — 2024 SIP Awards

Faith Raspante, The Whiskey Wash (extended independent review, related 12-year expression, house-style context):
"This is satisfying and well rounded with intense notes of maple, candy corn and brown sugar. It is not terribly complex but warm and inviting. Rich oak makes itself known first. Maple bar, caramel and vanilla emerge on the mid palate and thin out to an incredibly smooth and lasting finish of cream soda followed by lemon meringue. The appearance and well balanced sweetness of Hooten Young reminded me of a fine highland scotch. All of the flavors are beautifully developed and perfectly pleasant."

George Miliotes, Master Sommelier:
"We tasted a large number of barrels... and in the end it loops back as a Master Sommelier though, I wanted something that tasted really, really good and that was different. I felt that this whiskey was unique and allows us to ultimately have a beautiful spirit."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Warm and inviting, with sweet baked corn and maple syrup leading, balanced by rich vanilla bean and seasoned oak.

Palate
Smooth and full-bodied, deeply sweet, with butterscotch, caramel, and honey carrying through, rounded out by sturdy oak influence, alongside ripe apple.

Finish
Long, mellow, and satisfying, closing with gentle toasted oak warmth and lingering sweet corn.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Caramel or maple-based desserts
• Grilled or smoked meats
• Aged cheddar
• Pancakes or waffles with syrup

Serving Note

Enjoy neat or on the rocks to appreciate its smooth, sweet character.