When I poured a glass of Tom’s Foolery Ohio Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Barrel 389 (bottled November 2024, distilled January 2015), aged 9 years, I couldn’t help but appreciate the depth it hinted at. Priced at $44.95 and bottled at 90 proof, it offered potential for a lovely, local Ohio expression.
Appearance & Nose
The color was a rich amber, catching the light in the glass. On the nose, I detected crisp apple and pear, with a subtle peppery strike and a curious salty undertone—an unexpected nuance that immediately grounded the aroma.
Palate & Mouthfeel
The first sip delivered a slight sting on the tongue—tangy and grain-forward, with pronounced oak rising through. The fruit presence faded from the nose, leaving a hint of dried apple or apricot. Toward the finish, there was a peppery note again, but it didn’t overwhelm—no harsh heat. The mouthfeel was neither thin nor overly viscous—just nicely balanced.
Finish
The finish was light and short, bringing forward straightforward oak without much complexity. It ended clean, without any lingering sweetness or spice, making it easy to sip again.
My Take
I rated this bourbon a 6/10. While it didn’t align perfectly with my preference for sweeter, richer, and longer-finished bourbons, it showed its roots. The pepper and oak were more pronounced than I’d typically reach for, but the fruit and salt notes kept it approachable.
A Closer Look at Tom’s Foolery Distillery
Located in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Tom’s Foolery is a craft spirits venture founded in 2008 by Tom and Lianne Herbruck, operating on their own farm where they grow much of their grain—corn, rye, and barley—at their 115-acre property ohlq.com+9tomsfoolery.com+9realfoodtraveler.com+9. What makes them stand out:
- They use traditional copper pot stills, following methods from pre-1850 bourbon styles tomsfoolery.com.
- Their distillery is in the Ohio snowbelt, with unheated rackhouses that force the whiskey through harsh seasonal swings—claimed to produce more complex, less-oaky spirits realfoodtraveler.com+2tomsfoolery.com+2amongstthewhiskey.com+2.
- Their sour mash process, coupled with local grains, helps preserve authenticity—no added flavors, sugar, or color lostlanternwhiskey.com+8seelbachs.com+8tomsfoolery.com+8.
Their mash bills vary across releases—some single-barrel bottlings (e.g., 11+ year picks for cask strength) had 69–72 % corn with 10–21 % rye, 10–27 % malted barley, and small amounts of malted rye lostlanternwhiskey.com+2the-right-spirit.com+2amongstthewhiskey.com+2. Barrel 389 is silent on mash bill, but based on their farming and processing, it likely draws from the same local, self-grown grain.
Final Thoughts
Tom’s Foolery’s 9‑year Straight Bourbon is a compelling local craft expression, full of character but not perfectly matched to my sweeter, fuller preferences. I appreciated the crisp fruit, grain influence, and peppery backbone, even if the finish came up a bit short for my palate. Still, it showcases the thoughtful process and tradition-driven approach of the distillery. For those who favor craft authenticity and mild spice over rich sweetness, this bourbon is well worth exploring.