Production places
Connections to water sources, peat places, maltings, cooperages, warehouses and maturation sites. Uncertain connections are labelled.
No documented production places are linked to this distillery yet.
Ben Milam Distillery
Overview of the Distillery
Ben Milam Distillery is located in Blanco, Texas, and is a small‑scale whiskey distillery focusing on bourbon and rye. The distillery opened its tasting room in spring 2017 and sells an 86-proof bourbon in the tasting room as well as at selected restaurants and retailers in the Austin area. The facility combines traditional aging in new American oak barrels with the use of local Blanco water.
History
Marsha Milam, owner and founder, was inspired by Bourbon Trail experiences and took her first distilling class in 2015. She established Ben Milam Distillery on two shaded acres in Blanco and held a ribbon cutting on March 2, 2017. At the opening in March 2017, the tasting room was open to the public with bottle sales and tastings; distillery tours were planned to start in mid‑May 2017. The distillery also announced a plan to roll out a rye whiskey in the following months and to work on line extensions for both bourbon and rye during 2018.
Raw Materials and Production
The production is based on the classic American grains for whiskey production: corn for bourbon and rye for rye whiskey. Ben Milam uses local Blanco water, which flows through limestone and is described as rich in calcium and magnesium with low iron content. For bourbon, new American oak barrels, charred, are used, in keeping with the bourbon tradition. The article does not mention technical details about malt techniques, fermentation, distillation equipment, or distillation method, but highlights the small‑scale character and the tasting room’s role in production.
Maturation and Barrel Types
The bourbon is aged in new American oak barrels that are charred, which is the style of traditional bourbon aging. Plans for line extensions and experiments are mentioned, but there are no concrete details about reused barrels, finishes, or aging conditions.
Whiskeys
As of the article’s date, the portfolio consisted of an available 86‑proof Ben Milam Bourbon and a Rye whiskey that was planned to be rolled out in the coming months. The bourbon was available in the tasting room and at selected restaurants and retailers in the Austin area; the distillery planned further releases as well as line extensions.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Barrel Type and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Milam Bourbon | Bourbon | 43 % | New American oak charred barrels | 86-proof bourbon aged in new American oak barrels (charred). Available in the tasting room as well as at selected restaurants and retailers in the Austin area. | Current; Core range; Tasting room, selected restaurants and retailers in Austin |
| Ben Milam Rye Whiskey | Rye | Rye whiskey planned for rollout in the coming months after the article date. | Upcoming |
Visit the Distillery
The tasting room is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00 and Saturday from 13:00 to 18:00. Visitors can purchase whiskey flights (both bourbon and rye), cocktails, and bottles. Indoors there is seating for about 20 guests, and the outdoor area accommodates larger groups. Distillery tours were planned as Saturday events from mid‑May, and private tours and tastings can be arranged by appointment; private experiences require booking.
The stated opening hours are Monday–Friday 10:00–17:00; Saturday 13:00–18:00.
Philosophy and Craft
The distillery’s values are based on a blend of classic bourbon principles and local roots. The founder has pursued practical distillery training and emphasizes using local ingredients, particularly the Blanco water, while also following the bourbon tradition of aging in new, charred American oak barrels.