Making a splash by combining the world of whiskey and music, Three Chord’s Backstage Series seeks to collaborate with popular musicians to bring intriguing blends of whiskey to the masses. On February 12, 2025, Three Chord released its second collaboration with The Allman Brothers Band titled Three Chord Backstage Series Allman Brothers Band Legacy Edition American Whiskey. The blend of Kentucky bourbon and whiskey from Tennessee is finished in a barrel that previously held peach brandy distilled at George Washington’s distillery in Mount Vernon. Legacy Edition’s release date coincides with the 23rd anniversary of the release of the Eat Peach album from The Allman Brothers Band in 1972.
Master Blender Ari Sussman has developed a positive reputation for his blending acumen and put together a fascinating whiskey for this second collaboration with The Allman Brothers. Sussman put together a blend comprised of 40% Kentucky bourbon and 60% whiskey sourced from George Dickel in Tennessee that was distilled from a bourbon mashbill, but fully aged in recharred used barrels. Featuring a mashbill of 77% corn, 13% rye, and 10% malted barley, the Kentucky bourbon of undisclosed origin carries a maturation of 9 years in a cask with a #4 barrel char. Bringing 11 years of aging in non-standard recharred used barrels, the Dickel component sports its standard mashbill of 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley. The blend consists of 18 barrels in total, all with a volume of 53 gallons. Sussman’s blend checked in at a cask strength of 109 proof before entering the George Washington peach brandy barrels for 3 to 6 months. After reducing the final proof to 107, 2000 bottles are available for purchase at a sizeable price of $200.
Sussman crafted a unique blend that differentiates itself from the rest of the market, but then took it a step further by finishing the marriage in a wildly intriguing cask. While the whiskey is unique, does it warrant the price? There’s only one way to find out, so let’s pour a little and let the road take us where it will.
The nose drifts in like a warm Southern breeze, highly enticing with notes of peach skin and golden honeysuckle. Aromas of bread pudding and brown sugar soon arrive, as easy as a blue sky, wrapping everything in comforting warmth. The peach is clearly present, but it never overwhelms, just a gentle invitation to take the ride. The first sip slides in like a one way out jam — bold yet inviting. Bright notes of unripe peach and blueberry hit first, a little wild and untamed, like the open road ahead. The Southern soul shines through with dusty corn and nutmeg, settling into a rich, flaky pie crust character that lingers like the last notes of a bluesy guitar solo.
The dry mouthfeel leaves you reaching for another sip, chasing the next turn like a ramblin’ man who just can’t slow down. The finish starts gently, but doesn’t take long to turn up the volume, like a slow-burning solo that builds into something fierce. Notes of peach pit and black pepper lay down the rhythm, steady and strong, before honey and more unripe peach slide in, sweet but never too soft. The cinnamon kicks up in the end, bringing the heat and swagger, stretching out the experience into a whipping post of bold, lingering intensity. It’s a long ride and one that leaves its mark, just like a song you can’t shake.
Ari Sussman has struck gold with this one. I’ve sipped my way through several releases in the Backstage Series, but this is the Blue Sky of the bunch, shining above the rest. That said, the price has climbed higher too, making it a bottle I’d love to call my own, but I’d feel a whole lot better picking it up for around $150. Still, for those willing to pay the price, this pour is pure Southern harmony in a glass.
107 proof.
A- / $200 / threechordbourbon.com
Three Chord Allman Brothers Legacy Edition
$200
