Our Story
Before Kentucky had a claim to it, before Tennessee put its name on it, American whiskey belonged to Peoria, Illinois. In the late 1800s, more spirits flowed out of this city than anywhere else on earth. Peoria wasn't just part of the story of American whiskey. It was the story. Then Prohibition came, and the world forgot.
Jacob's Cut hasn't forgotten.
Crafted at BLACK BAND Distillery in Peoria, we're picking up where a century of heritage left off.
Martin Flamm, whose family name means "flame," has been distilling since he was ten years old. That fire never went out. Jacob's Cut grew from decades of that quiet obsession, named for his grandson Jacob, and now joined by Adam's Reserve, named for his grandson Adam. These aren't product lines. They're chapters in a family story – a legacy – written one barrel at a time.
Whiskey City once set the standard for what American spirits could be. We're here to honor that, and to push it further.
Not a tribute. A revival.
That's what it means to be A Cut Above.
Product Profile
legacy batch
750ML
PROOF 100
50%ALC/VOL
STRAIGHT Bourbon whiskey
DISTILLED, MATURED AND BOTTLED IN FLORIDA
MADE IN THE USA
APPEARANCE:
Deep burn amber with mature, luxurious legs
MOUTHFEEL:
Velvety with integrated heat, showing off its 100-proof structure without overwhelming the senses
PALATE:
Mouth-coating and structured – corn sweetness up front, layered with butterscotch, brown sugar, baking spice, leather, and red fruit acidity
FINISH:
Toasted oak, cinnamon, and dried stone fruit – a poised, medium-length finish that leaves the palate warm and well-satisfied
NOSE:
Marzipan and cherry open the bouquet, followed by caramelized sugar, honeycomb, vanilla bean, warm oak, and a hint of red apple
Private Stash no. 1
750ML
PROOF 123
61.5%ALC/VOL
Cask Strength Bourbon whiskey
DISTILLED, MATURED AND BOTTLED IN FLORIDA
COLLECTOR’S SERIES
APPEARANCE:
Deep mahogany with thick, slow legs — the barrel speaks before the first sip
MOUTHFEEL:
Dense and oily with commanding cask strength heat — bold, but never harsh
PALATE:
Stone fruit and dark chocolate up front, layered with oak, licorice, and a building spice of cinnamon, clove, and white pepper
FINISH:
Long and resonant — dark chocolate, oak, and a slow fade of citrus and warm spice
NOSE:
Green apple, pear, and ripe cherry open bright, with tropical hints of banana and pineapple, citrus peel, and a warm biscuit backbone
Adam's Reserve
750ML
PROOF 100
50%ALC/VOL
STRAIGHT Bourbon whiskey
DISTILLED, MATURED AND BOTTLED IN FLORIDA
MADE IN THE USA
APPEARANCE:
Warm amber with copper highlights and slow, steady legs
MOUTHFEEL:
Smooth and full-bodied at 100 proof, with an even warmth that never overpowers
PALATE:
Fruit-forward and structured — fig, stewed cherry, and apple over a toasted cereal base, with black pepper and nutmeg building toward the back
FINISH:
Dried stone fruit, warm spice, and a whisper of sandalwood — long, clean, and satisfying
NOSE:
Dried apricot and cherry lead, with raspberry, blackcurrant, and a lift of fresh apple — undercut by cinnamon, clove, and a quiet thread of sandalwood
Letter from the founder
My name is Martin A. Flamm. I grew up on a farm in Southern Michigan, where a school science project at age ten set me on a path I never left.
My family owned a pickle factory, and my Aunt Harriett, the family chemist, introduced me to the art of fermentation. She bought me a small Pyrex still, which I set up in our farmhouse basement. With old masonry crocks, apples from our orchard, water, sugar, and bread yeast, my moonshining journey began. Over the years, I refined my craft and developed a bourbon recipe that my friends loved. I never sold a drop, but I shared it generously.
In 2016, my first grandson Jacob was born. Inspired by that moment, I created Jacob's Cut. In distilling, "cuts" refer to the distinct stages of distillation, and for Jacob's Cut, we use only the finest of the hearts. We combine five grains: two types of corn sourced in Virginia, six-row barley, rye, and a touch of wheat. Barreled at 125 proof and aged in 15-gallon new white oak barrels with a number 3 char, the spirit matures quickly and deeply. The result of craft, not shortcuts.
Jacob's Cut has always been about more than bourbon. It's about the people and moments worth honoring. That's why we're proud to introduce two new expressions to the family. Private Stash No. 1 is the first release in our Collector's Series, a cask strength bourbon for those who want the whiskey exactly as the barrel intended it. Adam's Reserve is named for my second grandson, Adam, and carries the same dedication to craft and family that started this whole journey.
Together, these three expressions are a family. Each distinct, each built on the same foundation of process, patience, and pride. For those who value the details, we made these for you.
Best wishes on your bourbon adventures.
I hope you enjoy Jacob's Cut as much as I do.
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