Horse Soldier Reserve Barrel Strength Bourbon

Product Description

Horse Soldier Reserve: A Legacy Forged in Fire

Immediately following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States responded by inserting small teams of Green Berets into northern Afghanistan, many of them mounted on horseback, the only way to navigate the region's inhospitable, mountainous terrain. Alongside the Northern Alliance, those men helped overthrow Mazar-i-Sharif, a Taliban stronghold, in a daring mission history now remembers as the story of the "Horse Soldiers." Years later, that same brotherhood, veterans who had served together in every major American conflict since Vietnam, founded American Freedom Distillery to carry that legacy forward in a genuinely unexpected form: bourbon.

Every bottle of Horse Soldier bourbon carries a detail unlike anything else in the category: the glass itself is crafted from steel recovered from the World Trade Center after 9/11, melted down and repurposed into the bottle molds used to this day. Reserve Barrel Strength is the boldest expression in the lineup, a wheated bourbon built from a mash bill of 70% corn, 20% soft red winter wheat, and 10% barley, water drawn from limestone aquifers, and bottled non-chill filtered straight from the barrel with no additives or artificial coloring. Because it's genuine barrel strength, proof varies by batch, typically landing somewhere between 109 and 128, meaning every release captures its own distinct intensity.

That craftsmanship has earned real recognition: Reserve Barrel Strength took home a Double Gold Medal at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, along with Silver medals at both the New York International Spirits Competition and the International Wine & Spirits Competition. For bourbon drinkers who want genuine barrel strength intensity behind a story with real weight to it, Horse Soldier Reserve delivers both.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Toffee, cinnamon, French vanilla, and dark stone fruits.

Palate: Extraordinarily complex, with sweet oak, licorice root, dark cherries, and French vanilla, developing into butterscotch, cola, and floral notes.

Finish: Long, rich, and full-bodied, with lingering ginger, stone fruit, and sweet oak.

Food Pairings

Horse Soldier Reserve's toffee and dark cherry character pairs beautifully with equally rich fare. Try it alongside dark chocolate, aged cheddar, or a charcuterie board with dried cherries and toasted nuts.

Serving Suggestions

Horse Soldier Reserve is best enjoyed neat to fully appreciate its full-bodied complexity, though a small ice cube or a dash of water can help mellow the proof for those who prefer a gentler pour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the story behind the name "Horse Soldier"? It honors the Green Berets who rode on horseback into northern Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks, helping overthrow the Taliban stronghold of Mazar-i-Sharif alongside the Northern Alliance.

What's the significance of the bottle itself? Each bottle is crafted from steel recovered from the World Trade Center after 9/11, repurposed into the glass molds used for every Horse Soldier bottle.

What is the alcohol content? Proof varies by batch since this is genuine barrel strength, typically ranging from 109 to 128 proof; check your specific bottle's label for exact proof.

Has this bourbon won any awards? Yes. It earned a Double Gold Medal at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, along with Silver medals at the New York International Spirits Competition and the International Wine & Spirits Competition.

Is this a wheated bourbon? Yes, made from a mash bill of 70% corn, 20% soft red winter wheat, and 10% barley.

How should I enjoy it? Neat, or with a small ice cube or dash of water to soften the proof.

Explore More

Looking for more exceptional American bourbon? Shop our full Bourbon collection to discover more standout single barrel and small batch releases.

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