Horse Soldier Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey is produced by American Freedom Distillery in St. Petersburg, Florida, founded by US Army Special Forces veterans who rode horseback into Afghanistan in the weeks after 9/11 — one of the last cavalry-style missions in American military history.
The Small Batch expression uses a wheated mashbill — wheat as the secondary grain rather than rye — producing the softer, rounder, honey-forward character that distinguishes it from the brand’s Straight Bourbon expression. The base distillate is sourced from MGP Ingredients in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, aged and selected by the Horse Soldier team. The signature horseshoe nail cast into every bottle is a direct physical reference to the horses the founding veterans rode into combat.
The Small Batch delivers significantly more complexity than the entry Straight Bourbon — deeper fruit character, more developed oak integration, and the wheat softness that makes it approachable at cask character proof. It is the mid-tier of the Horse Soldier lineup and the expression most frequently cited by reviewers as the best value in the range.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Caramel, butterscotch, natural honey, and vanilla cream with dried fruit underneath. Palate: Velvety and smooth — the wheated mashbill shows clearly in the round, spice-free texture. Spiced raisin, oak, and light leather emerge mid-palate. Finish: Boldly robust and woody, longer than the entry expression, with sustained caramel and warm barrel char.
Specs
Producer: American Freedom Distillery, St. Petersburg, Florida | Mashbill: Wheated (sourced from MGP Ingredients, Lawrenceburg, Indiana) | ABV: 45% (90 proof) | Size: 750ml
Browse the full Horse Soldier collection at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Horse Soldier Straight Bourbon and Small Batch?
The Straight Bourbon is the entry expression — lighter, more accessible, and designed for everyday mixing and sipping. The Small Batch uses a wheated mashbill and is aged longer, producing deeper caramel, richer fruit character, and a more developed oak presence. It is the expression most commonly recommended for neat sipping in the Horse Soldier lineup.
Is Horse Soldier distilled in Florida or sourced?
The base distillate is sourced from MGP Ingredients in Lawrenceburg, Indiana — one of the most respected sourced bourbon producers in the US, used by numerous premium American whiskey brands. American Freedom Distillery in St. Petersburg handles the barrel selection, aging program, and blending. The founders are transparent about the sourcing arrangement.
