UNBendt Straight Bourbon Bottle-in-Bond
Intro
Some bourbons whisper. Some wear bowties and ask if you’ve read Pappy Van Winkle’s memoir. And some kick the door down wearing boots, covered in Texas dust, and ask if you’ve got a moment to talk about America. That’s UNBendt Unblended Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottled-in-Bond produced by Bendt Distilling Co.
Now, I didn’t buy this off the shelf nor online. I won't go into specifics, but the short skinny is there was a customer service issue, and one of the Founders, Natasha DeHart, reached out and took care of me; BIG TIME! A few days later, this beautiful, bold lettering, proudly Texan bottle showed up on my doorstep with some other goodies. As far as the juice goes, I figured it would either be a smooth-talking cowboy or the whiskey equivalent of a belt buckle to the face. And I’ll be honest: I can be a bit snippy when issues like customer service happens. I also did not want to like it, but…. Well, read on!
Distillery History
Let me paint the picture: Lewisville, Texas—my hometown (Go Farmers!), where the summers were hot, the Dr Peppers were cold, and the Piggly Wiggly on Mill Street was basically my personal racetrack. Back in the '90s, while my mom was navigating coupon clippings and ground beef specials, I was sprinting down those aisles like I was training for the grocery store Olympics. That building was core childhood territory—fluorescent lights, squeaky floors, and a snack aisle I could probably still navigate blindfolded.
Fast forward to 2012, and a new story begins: Witherspoon Distillery was founded in Lewisville by Natasha and Ryan DeHart & Quentin Witherspoon. At that time, the distillery wasn’t operating out of the old Piggly Wiggly just yet—it had humbler beginnings nearby. But even in those early days, the DeHarts and Witherspoon quickly built a reputation for small-batch bourbon, rum, and Texas-sized ambition.
Then in 2015, they made a move that hit close to home—literally. The team relocated into that very Piggly Wiggly building from my childhood. What was once a temple of cereal and off-brand cola was now home to copper stills, aging barrels, and dreams soaked in charred oak. It was like watching your childhood 7-Eleven become a Michelin-star restaurant.
But in 2017, things shifted again. Quentin Witherspoon left the company, and the remaining team stepped up with a vision of their own—one rooted in collaboration, innovation, and full control of the whiskey-making process. And with that, Witherspoon Distillery became BENDT Distilling Co.
The name BENDT is more than a trendy spelling—it reflects the art of bending tradition, blending grains, and crafting something uniquely Texan. This wasn’t just a rebrand—it was a reimagining of what a distillery could be: grain-to-glass, 100% Texan, and proudly local.
Now, BENDT sources all its grains from within the state:
Denton County yellow corn
Texas Elbon rye
2-row malted barley
They mill, mash, ferment, distill, barrel, and bottle everything on-site. No sourced juice, no shortcuts. And that building? Still, the old Piggly Wiggly—just now with far fewer tantrums in aisle three.
Their UNBendt Bottled in Bond bourbon isn’t just a bottle—it’s a statement. A 100-proof, over-five-year-aged, federally bonded declaration that Lewisville can hold its own on the bourbon map. The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 was meant to protect drinkers from shady whiskey, and UNBendt wears that label like a badge of honor—one that says, “We do things right, and we do them here.”
So yeah, for me, every sip of UNBendt is a little bit of past and present colliding. From running wild in that grocery store as a kid to sipping a carefully crafted, locally made bourbon in the exact same building… It’s more than a drink. It’s a damn full-circle moment.
Bottle Design
The bottle is kind of a minimalist Texan—straightforward, a little rugged, and with a label that doesn’t scream for attention but still says, “I probably know how to ride a horse.”
It’s sturdy in the hand. Nothing flashy. This bottle doesn’t come with a backstory written by a marketing team—it just gives you the facts and trusts you’ll respect it anyway, like your uncle who fixes tractors and gives life advice in one-word sentences.
The Pour
In the glass, it’s got that warm amber hue that says, “Yes, I’ve seen some things.” It was not too dark or too light—like it split the difference between small batch and small rebellion.
The Nose
I gave it a swirl and sniffed, and I’ll be honest—this one surprised me. You get a whiff of baking spice, sweet oak, and something like fresh corn muffins cooling on a wood stove. It’s got depth, but it doesn’t slap you—more like it tips its hat and says, “Howdy.” There’s something earthy in there, too, like walking into an old barn you’re pretty sure is structurally sound.
The Palate
Now, the first sip? Remember, I didn’t want to like it but…Oof—in a good way. It’s bold, but not aggressive. Like a firm handshake that lets you know this bourbon lifts barrels for fun. There’s honeyed corn sweetness, a spike of rye spice, and a dry oak note that shows up right on time. It’s not trying to be overly complex—it’s trying to be honest. And I respect that. On second sip, I started picking up toasted grains, maybe a little leather, something vaguely like orange peel, or something of a citrus zest. It’s hot but balanced. It knows it’s 100 proof, but you’re not made of balsa wood.
The Finish
Here’s where UNBendt makes its case. The finish is lingering and dry, with a slow Texas drawl of spice and oak. Not overly sweet, not quick to vanish. This one sticks around like a country song you didn’t think you liked until you caught yourself humming it in the car. I was utterly shocked by how well this bourbon sips!
Final Thoughts
Look—I’m no bourbon expert. I’m just a guy who likes whiskey that tastes like something. And this one? It tastes like Texas had something to say, and said it in 100-proof paragraphs.
It’s not trying to be Buffalo Trace. It’s not trying to win over the “I only drink stuff that was in a Rickhouse named after a horse” crowd. It’s UNBendt—unfiltered (figuratively), unapologetic, and unbothered by bourbon snobs. I enjoyed this bottle. Natasha even invited me out the next time I was in town; when I am, I will call them because I would love to visit and experience this place firsthand. They offer more than just BIB. They have a broad offering, from their blended whiskey and bourbon creme to straight wheat, malt, and rye. And if you are ever in the DFW area, check them out because they do tours and have even done a bottle-your-own experience.
If you want something local, bold, and rooted in real grain-to-glass craft, give it a pour, I mean a try. Just don’t expect it to wear a tuxedo. Show up in your best boots.
Cheers to a dram good time! 🥃✨
The Details:
Proof: 100 • Distillery: Bendt Distillery • Possible Mashbill: 65-75% Corn • 20-30% Rye • 5-10% Barley • Aged: 5yrs •Price: $60
Brown Water Rating Scale:
Nose: 3 • Palate: 4 • Finish: 5 • Uniqueness: 3 • Value: 5 • Overall: 4
This is a 5-point scale based on my own preferences. This was also tested by my father-in-law, another whiskey lover.