Stetson Embarks on New Territory with the Debut of Its First-Ever Bourbon

After 161 years, the brand synonymous with the cowboy hat finally enters the world of spirits.

Bottle of Stetson Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey resting in a brown leather bag.Stetson Bourbon

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

From Coors to Aston Martin to Metallica, everyone seems to be getting into whiskey-making these days. And now you can add Stetson to the list.

That’s right, the brand known for creating the blueprint for the modern cowboy hat over 160 years ago has now launched its first-ever bourbon brand. 

White cowboy hat resting on a wooden barrel with "STETSON" logo in a dimly lit storage room.
Stetson created the modern blueprint for the cowboy hat in 1865, and now it enter into the world of bourbon for the first time.
Stetson Bourbon

In case you missed it

Stetson didn’t literally invent the cowboy hat (wide-brimmed hats had been used for centuries around the world) but it quickly became synonymous with the style after the introduction of the Boss of the Plains hat in 1865.

This specific design featured a high, rounded crown, a 4-inch brim and a leather band around the outside. Not initially a fashion accessory, this inaugural Stetson was created to be an all-purpose hat for workers in the American West. But as ranchers and cowboys began curling the brim to keep out the rain and pinching the crown to make it easier to remove, Stetson started releasing pre-shaped hats straight from the factory.

That kind of connection between brand and consumer has never gone away at Stetson. And now it applies that ethos to the world of whiskey.

Amber Stetson Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bottle with white label on brown surface and background.
Stetson Bourbon is a high-rye Kentucky straight bourbon that uses a proprietary blend.
Stetson Bourbon

Stetson Bourbon

A project three years in the making, Stetson Bourbon is a premium Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 50% ABV. According to the brand, the whiskey is a proprietary high-rye blend combining liquid “aged an average of seven years,” although there is no age statement listed on the bottle.

Close-up of a hand holding a brass cymbal finger ring with a strap, worn by a person in a gray sweater.
Master Blender Dan Callaway marries barrels from Green River Distilling Co. and Bardstown Bourbon Company for this brand-new expression.
Stetson Bourbon

It’s become common for non-distilling producers (NDPs) to keep the details of their whiskeys under wraps. However, rather than simply cosigning a batch of barrels from unknown Kentucky (or Indiana) distilleries, Stetson has revealed exactly where its liquid comes from.

First, Stetson enlisted Dan Callaway as its Master Blender. Callaway holds the same title at Lofted Spirits, which owns Green River Distilling Co. and Bardstown Bourbon Company. As such, this particular bourbon features a hand-picked selection of barrels from both distilleries.

Hand holding a glass with amber liquid, with a blurred person in the background at sunset.
According to Stetson, the bourbon features “buttery oak, caramel, and vanilla” on the palate, giving way to brandied fruit and baking spices before a light rye finish. 
Stetson Bourbon

The end result is a “balanced bourbon” that exhibits “buttery oak, caramel, and vanilla” up front, evolving to brandied fruit and baking spices before a light rye finish. 

Painting of a man in western attire kneeling and offering a drink to a brown horse with a saddle.
Lon Megargee’s painting The Last Drop from His Stetson was commissioned by Stetson in 1921.
Stetson Bourbon

Cowboy art

Aside from the liquid inside, the bottle itself gets a handsome, classic design. Also, along the back of the glass, you can find an etched version of Lon Megargee’s iconic painting The Last Drop from His Stetson. This is one of the most famous pieces of Western art and was commissioned by Stetson back in 1921.

Close-up of a whiskey bottle with an etched illustration of a man feeding a horse.
Now Megargee’s iconic image is etched into the back of every bottle of Stetson Bourbon.
Stetson Bourbon
Close-up of a bottle cap with intricate floral engravings and a bold letter "S" on top.
The bottle top uses a unique take on the Stetson logo, incorporating the hat into the design.
Stetson Bourbon

Note: Enthusiasts might be aware of an early-2010s brand called John B. Stetson Bourbon. But this had no affiliation with the hat company, aside from a licensed name used for the label.Stetson Bourbon is available now from the brand’s website. It’s priced at $75.

Availability and pricing

Stetson Bourbon is available now from the brand’s website. It’s priced at $75.

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

add as a preferred source on google
, ,