After years of seeking and securing bottles, I created the first draft of my #50StateBlend, on March 22nd, 2020. I call my iterations “drafts” because I know it will take trial and error to figure out how these spirits work together.

A dram of 50 State Blend should tell a compelling story AND satisfy discerning whiskey lovers.

Ultimately, I’m striving for a balanced blend with an enticing nose, rich palate, weighty mouthfeel and lingering finish. This page logs my progress toward that goal. (I recommend reading from the beginning with Draft #1)

Michael Bloom 5/28/21 Michael Bloom 5/28/21

Draft #12: Transition

My goal this time was to create an eminently enjoyable dram, uncomplicated and satisfyingly rich.

Michael Bloom 5/28/21 Michael Bloom 5/28/21

Draft #11:

There is no blend labeled #11 but…

Michael Bloom 1/17/21 Michael Bloom 1/17/21

Draft #10: Inauguration

Honoring the heritage and history of President Biden and Vice President Harris to mark their Inauguration on January 20th, 2021.

Michael Bloom 1/9/21 Michael Bloom 1/9/21

Draft #9: Sweet!

It’s Bourbon’s turn!

Michael Bloom 12/6/20 Michael Bloom 12/6/20

Draft #8: Ryecentric

I love the spicy intensity of rye, especially when balanced with the right amount of sweetness.

Michael Bloom 11/1/20 Michael Bloom 11/1/20

Draft #7: The 538

Electoral College Proportions

Michael Bloom 10/17/20 Michael Bloom 10/17/20

Draft #6

Balancing Distinctive and Eminently Drinkable

Michael Bloom 10/17/20 Michael Bloom 10/17/20

Draft #5

Celebrating American Single Malt

Michael Bloom 8/12/20 Michael Bloom 8/12/20

Draft #4 BA (Barrel-Aged)

I love how barrel-aging changes whiskey. As a blender, I also fear it.

Michael Bloom 7/4/20 Michael Bloom 7/4/20

Draft #4

Independence

Michael Bloom 5/8/20 Michael Bloom 5/8/20

Draft #3

Apple Pie

For this draft I turned off the math and data-heavy spreadsheet

Michael Bloom 4/27/20 Michael Bloom 4/27/20

Draft #2

The weighted spreadsheet

Michael Bloom 3/22/20 Michael Bloom 3/22/20

Draft #1

After years of seeking and securing bottles, I created the first draft of my #50StateBlend, on March 22nd, 2020, days after the COVID-19 pandemic closed the bars on what would have been one of the busiest bar nights of the year.