DH Cromwell 15 Year Bourbon Celebrates Grit and Legacy
In an age of polished storytelling and sanitized branding, DH Cromwell 15 Year Bourbon arrives with the kind of unfiltered swagger you can taste in every pour. This 2025 revival is not just a nod to whiskey history—it’s a full-throated tribute to one of the most notorious, fascinating women of the Prohibition era: Dirty Helen Cromwell.
The original 2000 bottling was a cult classic—only 72 bottles ever existed—born from a barrel of Van Winkle juice and a Louisville liquor retailer’s fascination with Cromwell’s bawdy legacy. Now, a quarter-century later, Old Commonwealth Distillery is reanimating that bold spirit, releasing a new small batch expression built to honor both the woman and the myth.
Sourced from a heritage Kentucky distiller, DH Cromwell 15 Year Bourbon was carefully re-barreled for six months in new charred oak casks from Kelvin Cooperage, allowing it to pick up luscious fruit and red candy notes reminiscent of prized vintage bourbons. The mashbill—75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley—offers a balance of sweetness, spice, and depth, a departure from the wheated profile of the original release.
The final proof, settled at a harmonious 106, was chosen after extensive blind tastings. “There’s a richness at 106 that felt undeniable,” says Zachary Joseph, Old Commonwealth’s President of Operations. It’s a decision that suits the bottle’s namesake—brash, loud, and impossible to ignore.
The design, like the whiskey inside, remains rebellious: angular, off-kilter labels and unapologetic references, including a discreet nod to the “VGS” designation—Very Good Shit—on the label, echoing the irreverence that defined both Dirty Helen and the bourbon she now represents.
DH Cromwell 15 Year Bourbon Tasting Notes and Release Details
DH Cromwell 15 YearBourbon wastes no time announcing itself. On the nose, it delivers a potent combination of dusty rickhouse earthiness and warm vanilla buttercream. Hints of candied citrus peel, clove, and licorice drift in, evolving into rich notes of dark chocolate, stone fruit, and worn leather. Let it breathe, and it opens like a confession, layered and deeply personal.
The palate is vibrant and balanced. It starts with silky vanilla, then melts into warm cherry pie filling, orange-zested ginger cookies, and buttery graham cracker crust. The mouthfeel is elegant and mouthwatering without being overly viscous. It’s a whiskey that hits high and low in equal measure, showing finesse without ever feeling too refined.
The finish is everything you’d expect from a 15 year-old, carefully blended bourbon—long, luscious, and satisfying. Cherry syrup and dark chocolate linger long after the sip, reminding you that this is a whiskey built to be remembered.
Limited to just four barrels, DH Cromwell 15 Year Bourbon is priced at $299 and set for release on May 22 at oldcommonwealth.com. Quantities will also be available at select retailers in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Illinois. The limited nature of the drop and the intense demand from collectors and connoisseurs alike make this a must-have bottle for any serious bourbon enthusiast.
This isn’t a bourbon that aims to please everyone. It’s a defiant spirit, crafted with intent, legacy, and personality. Dirty Helen wouldn’t have had it any other way.
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