Frank August Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a 100 proof, at-least-4-year-old bourbon out of Bardstown, Kentucky that’s been quietly picking up accolades and bartender recommendations alike. I tried this one neat in a rocks glass at The Leaf in Wooster, Ohio, after the bartender practically insisted I give it a shot. At around $75 a bottle, it’s not exactly pocket change, but is it worth the splurge? Let’s get into it.

Quick Take

The Story Behind This Pour

I’d heard the name Frank August floating around bourbon circles before, but I wasn’t especially familiar with the brand going in. So when the bartender at The Leaf started raving about it during brunch, I figured why not. No agenda here, just a curious pour on a lazy Sunday.

Frank August keeps their mash bill undisclosed, which is pretty common for craft and boutique bourbon brands trying to maintain a bit of mystery (or maybe just protecting a good recipe). Based on the spice-forward palate and finish I got, I’d guess there’s a relatively high rye content in the mix, though that’s speculation on my part – the distillery isn’t saying.

Appearance

Pale amber in the glass, definitely on the lighter side of the color spectrum for a bourbon that’s spent at least 4 years in the barrel. The legs were medium – not clinging dramatically to the glass, but not sprinting down either. It’s a good sign of that balanced viscosity you want to see before you even take a sip.

Nose

This is where Frank August really tries to charm you. The nose is sweet and subtle, opening up with pears and apples alongside vanilla and sweet corn. It’s an inviting, almost delicate aroma – not the kind of nose that knocks you over with alcohol vapor. If you’re new to bourbon, this is a nose that won’t scare you off.

Tasting Notes

Here’s where things shift a bit. Despite that fruity, sweet nose, the fruit doesn’t really show up in the glass the way I expected. Instead, the palate leads with creamy vanilla and black pepper, with those fruit notes from the nose showing up muted at best. There’s a subtle sweetness throughout, balanced against a notable spiciness that builds as you sip. The body is rounded but has some spicy backbone to it – not a heavy, syrupy bourbon, but not thin either. It sits somewhere in the middle, which honestly works in its favor here.

The oak presence is subtle rather than dominant, and there’s a light grain/cereal note underneath everything that reminds you this is, at its core, a well-made bourbon rather than an overly dressed-up specialty pour.

Neat

I drank this one neat, and I think that’s the right call. The 100 proof gives it enough backbone to stand on its own without needing water to open it up, and the heat that builds throughout the sip feels intentional rather than harsh. This isn’t a bourbon that needs taming – it’s one that rewards patience as it develops in the glass.

Finish

The finish is where Frank August gets interesting. It comes in salty and smokey, with a late spicy heat that lingers well after the sip is done. This is a notably long finish for a 100 proof bourbon, and the combination of salt, smoke, and heat gives it some real character. It’s not a one-note finish by any stretch – there’s a lot going on here, and it’s the most memorable part of the whole experience.

Who Should Buy This

If you like a bourbon with some spice and complexity, and you don’t mind a nose that doesn’t fully deliver on its promise, Frank August Small Batch is worth checking out. It’s a great candidate for an everyday sipper if your budget allows for a $75 bottle in regular rotation – the rounded body and spicy finish make it interesting enough to revisit without being so complex that it’s exhausting.

It’s also a solid choice if you like to have a conversation-starter bottle on your shelf. Given the accolades it’s picked up, it’s a great one to pour for guests who think they’ve tried everything.

If you’re on a budget or you’re looking for an everyday pour under $50, this might not be your best bet – the price point puts it more in special-occasion territory for a lot of drinkers.

Where to Buy

Frank August Small Batch Straight Bourbon typically runs around $70-75 for a 750ml bottle, which lines up with what I paid (well, what the bar charged) for my pour. Availability can be spotty depending on your state, since it’s a smaller craft brand out of Bardstown, Kentucky – check specialty liquor stores and bourbon-focused retailers in your area, and don’t be afraid to call ahead to see if a location has it in stock. Bars and restaurants with a solid bourbon selection, like The Leaf in Wooster, OH, are also a good way to try it before committing to a full bottle.

FAQ

What does cask strength mean, and is Frank August cask strength?
Cask strength (or barrel proof) refers to bourbon bottled directly from the barrel without dilution. Frank August Small Batch is bottled at 100 proof, which is a standard, non-cask-strength proof point – notably higher than the 80 proof minimum but not in barrel-proof territory.

How much does Frank August Small Batch Bourbon cost?
Expect to pay somewhere in the $70-75 range for a 750ml bottle, depending on your location and retailer.

Is Frank August good for bourbon beginners?
The nose is approachable and sweet, making it an inviting entry point, but the spicy, higher-proof palate and finish might be a bit much for someone brand new to bourbon. It’s better suited for someone with at least some bourbon experience under their belt.

What foods pair well with a spicy bourbon like this?
Given the black pepper and smoky finish, this bourbon pairs nicely with grilled meats, smoked dishes, or even a rich brunch spread (as I discovered firsthand). The spice notes complement savory, umami-forward foods particularly well.

Why is the mash bill undisclosed?
Many craft and boutique bourbon brands keep their mash bill private as a way to protect their recipe or maintain brand mystique. Frank August hasn’t publicly released their mash bill details, so any guesses about rye content are speculative based on tasting notes alone.

Final Verdict

Frank August Small Batch Straight Bourbon is a genuinely interesting pour – that contrast between a soft, fruity nose and a spicier, more textured palate keeps things engaging sip after sip. The salty, smokey finish with its late spicy kick is the standout feature here, and it’s easy to see why this bottle has picked up awards and bartender enthusiasm alike.

At $75, it’s not going to be my everyday pour, but I wouldn’t turn down a glass, and I’d happily keep a bottle around for when I want to show off something a little more complex. This one earns a solid 4/5 stars (Excellent) – a well-balanced, spicy sipper that’s worth seeking out for a special occasion or a night when you want to impress.