Distillery profile

American Freedom Distillery

Explore the distillery's history, craft, production, and the distinctive character of its whiskies.

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Horse Soldier Bourbon / American Freedom Distillery

About the Distillery

Horse Soldier Bourbon is a Kentucky bourbon brand and a growing distillery consolidated under Horse Soldier Farms in Somerset–Pulaski County. The brand ties its bottles to the stories of the Green Berets after 9/11 and produces wheated, small-batch bourbons with non-chill-filtered bottlings, as well as special and limited releases such as Liberty Edition and Commander’s Select.

History

The history of Horse Soldier draws directly on the units that a short time after 9/11 became known as the 'Horse Soldiers'. The team behind the brand has further developed its craft and consolidated production and brand activities in Somerset–Pulaski County in Kentucky under the name Horse Soldier Farms. The brand has achieved international recognition, among other things with several Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2022. As a concrete step toward the public experience, Horse Soldier Farms is planned to have a Grand Opening on July 4, 2026, where the tasting room and visitor experiences will be featured.

Raw Materials and Production

Production focuses on wheated mashbills and small-batch blending. The grain types, which recur in the communication, are corn, wheat, and barley, and several products are described as 'wheated'. Commander’s Select VII denotes a specific mashbill (70% corn, 25% wheat, 5% barley). For special releases, a long fermentation process and pot still distillation are used; selected bottlings are non-chill filtered to preserve full-bodied character. The work is described as 'from grain to glass' and 'handmade' with 'all-natural ingredients'.

Aging and Cask Types

The brand uses primarily traditional bourbon barrels with varying aging regimes. Liberty Edition has been aged 13 years in new American oak; Commander’s Select VII is selected from Kentucky-sourced barrels and has rested in a single Bardstown rickhouse for about 10 years with Barrel Char #4. Premium Straight is built on 4-year-old casks. The combination of new American oak for special releases and single-rickhouse aging for curator releases is highlighted as important choices in the maturation approach.

The Whiskies

The core range comprises Premium Straight Bourbon (4 years), Premium Small Batch, and a Reserve Barrel Strength, all presented as wheated small-batch products and often non-chill filtered. Alongside these ongoing releases, there are curated and limited bottles such as the Commander’s Select series and Liberty Edition, where age, rickhouse aging, and special packaging design differentiate the products.

Whisky Type / Series Alcohol Age Cask and Style Flavor Profile Status
Premium Straight Bourbon Whiskey Straight Bourbon 43.5 % 4 years Traditional, small-batch 4-year straight bourbon, non-chill filtered. Double Gold-winner at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.; Nose: Caramel, Vanilla, Toasted Corn, Honey, Nutmeg, Custard, Spiced Oak Current; Core Range
Premium Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey Small Batch Bourbon 47.5 % Wheated small-batch blend, non-chill filtered. Double Gold Medal Winner at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.; Nose: Vanilla, Ginger, Cherries Current; Core Range
Premium Barrel Strength Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Strength Bourbon Reserve Barrel Strength, a wheated small-batch blend, non-chill filtered and described as complex with notes of butterscotch, oak and stone fruits. Current; Core Range
Liberty Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon 50 % 13 years New American oak 13-year-old high-rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon, limited edition of 1,776 bottles, bottled at 100 proof. A portion of the proceeds from this edition is donated to the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Foundation.; Nose: Toasted Oak, Warm Baking Spice, Subtle Caramel; Finish: Subtle campfire smokiness on the finish Limited; 1,776 bottles
Commanders Select VII Barrel Select Bourbon; Commander's Select 60 % 10 years Kentucky-sourced barrels Curated by former military members; crafted in a pot still with a long fermentation. Mash: 70% Corn, 25% Wheat, 5% Barley. Aged 10 years, Barrel Char: #4, single Bardstown rickhouse.; Nose: Sarsaparilla, Vanilla, Birch; Finish: Cacao and a hint of honey Limited

The Whiskies' Style and Flavor Profile

Across the product descriptions there runs a red thread of wood and sweetness: toasted oak and deep oak are frequently mentioned, as well as vanilla and caramel-like elements (toffee, butterscotch). Fruity notes such as dark stone fruits and cherries appear, especially in Small Batch and Barrel Strength. There are also spicy facets such as ginger and warm baking spices, and Liberty Edition mentions a subtle 'campfire' smokiness on the finish.

Visiting the Distillery

Horse Soldier Farms is described as both a production site and an upcoming tourist destination with a tasting room. The site has launched a sign-up for updates and announces a Grand Opening on July 4, 2026. There is documentation for tasting room offerings, but details about guided tours, duration, booking procedures, and regular opening hours will be announced in connection with the official opening.

Philosophy and Craft

The brand's values bring together a homage to military history with a small-batch American craft philosophy. Production is highlighted as 'handmade' and 'from grain to glass' with a focus on natural ingredients, curated fades, and non-chill-filtered bottlings. Packaging and presentation use symbolism — including bottles formed using steel reclaimed from the World Trade Center — as part of remembering and marking history and values.

Awards and Recognitions

  • Double Gold Medals (listed among them) (2022, Double Gold – three mentions total)

  • Double Gold (2022, Double Gold, Premium Straight Bourbon Whiskey)

  • Double Gold (2022, Double Gold, Premium Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey)