MB Roland is one of those names that flies under the radar for a lot of bourbon drinkers, and honestly, that's part of the appeal. This is a craft Kentucky operation — small batch, straight bourbon, bottled at a punchy 54.6% ABV with no age statement. At £66.95, you're paying a premium over your standard shelf bourbons, but you're also getting something with genuine character and a proof point that tells you the distillery isn't afraid to let the spirit speak for itself.
I'll be upfront: there's no confirmed distillery information here, and MB Roland keeps things relatively close to the chest. What I can tell you is that this is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon, which under federal law means it's been aged a minimum of two years in new charred oak barrels, distilled from a mash of at least 51% corn, and entered the barrel at no higher than 125 proof. The "small batch" designation isn't legally defined the way "straight" is, but it signals a more selective vatting of barrels rather than a massive multi-thousand-barrel dump. That matters for consistency and character.
At 54.6% ABV — that's just shy of 110 proof — this bourbon lands in serious sipping territory. Barrel entry proof is one of the most underappreciated factors in how a bourbon ends up tasting. Higher entry proofs mean less water in the barrel, which changes how the spirit interacts with the wood over time. The fact that MB Roland has bottled this well above the typical 40-45% range suggests they want you to experience the whiskey closer to barrel strength, with all the intensity and texture that brings. A few drops of water will open it up, but I'd encourage you to try it neat first and let it breathe for a good five minutes.
For a NAS bourbon at this proof, you should expect bold, grain-forward flavours with plenty of oak influence. Kentucky's climate — those brutal summers and cold winters — drives the whiskey in and out of the wood aggressively, which means even younger bourbons can carry surprising depth. The small batch approach should give this more definition than a mass-produced equivalent at similar age.
The Verdict
MB Roland Small Batch Bourbon is a solid craft bourbon that earns its place on the shelf. It's not trying to compete with the allocated hype bottles, and it doesn't need to. What you get is an honest, full-proof Kentucky straight bourbon from a smaller producer that's clearly focused on letting the whiskey do the talking. At £66.95, it sits at a fair price point for an import craft bourbon at cask strength — you'd pay similar or more for comparable small-batch offerings from better-known names. I'm giving this a 7.7 out of 10. It's a genuinely enjoyable pour that rewards attention, and the high ABV means your bottle stretches further than you'd think. This is the kind of whiskey I'd recommend to someone who's graduated from the big-brand bourbons and wants to explore what smaller Kentucky distillers are doing.
Best Served
At 54.6%, this bourbon is a natural fit for an Old Fashioned. The high proof stands up beautifully to dilution from the ice and the sweetness of the sugar, and you'll still taste the whiskey through the bitters. Use a good demerara syrup, two dashes of Angostura, and a big clear ice cube. If you're drinking it neat, add a teaspoon of water and give it time — this one opens up with patience.
