Clyde May's Special Reserve Alabama Style Whiskey

A real deal Alabama style Bourbon infused with a hint of apple.

Clyde May was a WWII war hero and a bit of a local legend. But when he got home after the war, he made his living as a moonshiner in the back-woods of Alabama. He produced high quality spirits and actually aged his moonshine into Whiskey when other illegal operators were selling it right out of the still. He got caught and served eight months in federal prison, but as soon as he got out he built a new still and started over again. In 2001, Clyde’s son recreated the magic of that first aged moonshine and built Clyde May’s Whiskey — legally this time — and their signature Bourbon is now the Official State Spirit of Alabama.

Clyde May’s Whiskey started with their core Bourbon product. But in 2015 they extended their product line to include Clyde May's Whiskey Special Reserve, and it is something quite a bit different than you might expect. It starts with their signature six year old Bourbon with a mash of 55% core, 30% rye, and 15% barley aged in heavily toasted American oak. But a small amount of apple juice is added — just a touch — and it makes a big difference. And it is bottled at 55% ABV, so you get a huge pop of flavor too.