Judson & Moore Red Corn Bourbon

Judson & Moore Red Corn Bourbon is a Chicago-distilled expression built on 77.5% Bloody Butcher red corn, an heirloom varietal sourced from Cow Creek Farms in Paxton, Illinois. The mash bill rounds out with 12.5% rye and 10% malted barley, bottled at 94 proof in batch five. Where conventional yellow dent corn brings brightness, Bloody Butcher dials back the sweetness and introduces a mineral-edged richness that sets this bourbon apart from standard Illinois grain-to-glass releases. Judson & Moore distills in Chicago with a focus on Illinois-grown grain, working directly with regional farms to secure heirloom and heritage varieties that disappeared from commercial bourbon production decades ago. Bloody Butcher corn—named for its deep red kernels—thrives in Central Illinois soil and carries flavors closer to stone and earth than candy. The distillery ferments and distills on-site, aging the spirit in new charred oak before releasing small numbered batches that reflect the terroir of the Midwest rather than Kentucky. The palate opens with caramel and toasted grain, but the red corn asserts itself quickly—less vanilla custard, more baking spice and crushed rock. The rye contribution sharpens the mid-palate without overwhelming the corn's mineral backbone, and the finish lingers with black pepper and a faint dried-cherry note. Pour this neat alongside smoked brisket or sharp aged cheddar, or use it in an Old Fashioned where the heirloom corn's complexity can hold up to bitters and a thick orange peel. It drinks well in cooler months when you want weight without cloying sweetness. Judson & Moore Red Corn Bourbon is available for pickup at our Lincoln Park bottle shop at 1128 W Armitage Ave, local Chicago delivery, or nationwide shipping.