There’s an alluring appeal to enjoying a fine dram of whiskey and uncovering its history, its many twists and turns. And when that bottle of whiskey has shades of history itself right on the label, the drinking experience couldn’t possibly be more perfect.
For Black History Month, Kentucky’s Old Hillside Bourbon is fusing heritage and a legendary story with a strong sense of honor as it celebrates the 369th Infantry Regiment (otherwise known as the Harlem Hellfighters).
The impressive whiskey at hand is an exclusive release uncovering a remarkable tale about the first African American infantry unit to fight in Word War I and the longest-serving unit in U.S. military history.
Photo by Andrew Achong
Dubbed the Old Hillside Harlem Hellfighters Whiskey Bundle and limited to just 150 exclusive cases, the trio of bottles honors war heroes Benjamin Oliver Davis Sr., (later the first African American U.S. Army general), James Reese Europe (the regiment’s bandleader and a key figure in bringing jazz to Europe), and Henry Johnson (later awarded a Medal of Honor posthumously in 2015).
Kentucky-distilled but North Carolina-founded, Old Hillside shines a historic spotlight on the unheralded, from the black jockeys of the Kentucky Derby in the 1900s to its very name itself. It’s an homage to historically Black Hillside High School in Durham, where two of its four founders (Jesse Carpenter and Brian Burton) attended high school.
A love of horse racing kept Carpenter and Burton in touch over the years, while COO Courtney Tucker and CPO Jesse Carpenter joined the team as the company looked to fuse black heritage and history with finely crafted bourbon during the initial years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo by Oddly Captured
To say the company is off to the races and giving back along the way is a more than apt way to put it, as a portion of proceeds from whiskey sales go to veterans support organization the Whiskey Valor Foundation.
And to say that each release, bearing portraits of each hero on the bottle, is history distilled is an understatement. Within, the 112-proof (56% ABV) blended bourbon is finished in French oak wine barrels for 191 days, a famed nod to the number of days the unit spent on the front lines in WWI.
The barrels are sourced from the very region in France where the Hellfighters fought. This is an instance where the phrase “tough-as-nails” applies to their courage, although the whiskey bears a sumptuous luxury. It’s a blend of 40% Indiana Rye and 60% Kentucky Bourbon, with a 7-year age statement, a delightful dram to enjoy any month, but especially this one.
Ready for a few sips?
Photos via Archives.gov
“This partnership isn’t just about whiskey. It’s about honoring a legacy of valor, sacrifice, and resilience,” said Jesse Carpenter, Chief Product Officer of Old Hillside Bourbon. “The Harlem Hellfighters fought longer and harder than nearly any American unit in WWI, and this collaboration allows us to preserve their story while supporting veterans who continue to serve today.”
As I found out during a recent taste test, notes of dark red fruit deliver strong influence in pleasing fashion, while the oak influence is understated and delicate. Don’t let the red wine finish fool you. It adds a rich yet nuanced nature to the whiskey, which pours a lovely amber in color. Perhaps perfect for enjoying as you read up on the Harlem Hellfighters in greater detail.
Photos via Archives.gov
Every taste of this luxe whiskey bears a sense of an appreciation for the past, a fitting tribute to iconic American heroes in every dram. Isn’t that what whiskey should always be about? Find your own Old Hillside Harlem Hellfighters Whiskey Bundle for an SRP of $330 while supplies last.
Cheers.
Photo via Archives.gov
