REVIEW: The Free Spirits Co. NA Bourbon

The Free Spirits Co. (Marin County, CA) Non-Alcoholic Bourbon

Where’d We Find It: Our local Total Wine & More.

ABV: 0.0%

Hometown: Marin County, California

Our N/ATION Review:

This Bourbon “replacement” hails from northern California, just beyond the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s part of a collection of non-alcoholic spirits that also includes NA versions of Gin, Tequila, and Milano, in addition to ready-to-drink mocktails such as an Old Fashioned, Negroni, Kentucky Mule, and a Margarita.

Our first impressions of the non-alcoholic bourbon were an appearance and color consistent with the leaded version of the liquid. We first tried some straight, and while the flavors may not have been as rich as a full-alcohol version, they were at least somewhat consistent. Particularly for a higher-alcohol product like a spirit, it can be very challenging to replicate the aromas and taste of alcohol in direct form, making it much better suited to a cocktail. And so we instead made ourselves an Old Fashioned, using New Orleans bitters from All The Bitter (we’re a fan of the cherry undertones!), as well as some simple syrup. The final result was a close facsimile to the alcohol version, although if we’re being honest, the burn in the finish lingered a little bit longer and more intensely than we would have personally liked. This one is not for the faint of heart, heat-wise!

As for where you can find The Free Spirits Non-Alcoholic Bourbon out there, the brand enjoys wide distribution at national retailers including Total Wine, Binny’s, and Safeway. For more details, visit their Store Locator.