The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 7: Barmen 1873—Coors Steps Into Bourbon, and It’s a Winner

On the way home from North Carolina, I made a stop at Sandy Cross Liquor and Tobacco in Royston, Georgia. The manager took some time to walk me through a few bargains, and one of the bottles that caught my eye was Barmen 1873 Bourbon. The price was right—$35—and the backstory made it even more interesting.

What It Is

Barmen 1873 is the first bourbon release from Coors Whiskey Co., part of Molson Coors. The name is a nod to the company’s founder, Adolph Coors—born in Barmen, Germany—and to 1873, the year the Coors story began in Colorado.

This is a blend of two straight bourbons, bottled at 92 proof and produced in Bardstown, Kentucky, though Coors has not disclosed the mashbill or exact sources. Most reviewers believe it combines a wheated bourbon and a four-grain bourbon, though that remains speculation.

Coors proofed this whiskey with Kentucky water and worked with master taster Peggy Noe Stevens during development. It hit shelves in spring 2023 at around $40 MSRP, but I found mine for $35.

The Story

Barmen 1873 represents Coors’ broader move into spirits, following the release of their blended whiskey, Five Trail, in 2021. With this bottle, they’ve leaned into both history and marketing, aiming for an “approachable super-premium” tier. They even suggest pairing it with a Coors Banquet—a nod to their beer roots and a bit of playful brand synergy.

Availability can be spotty. In Florida, Publix carries it in limited quantities, and shelves empty fast when it shows up.

My Tasting Notes

Color: Light copper.

Nose: This is really one of the best aspects of Barmen 1873. The aromas beckon with creamy caramel, vanilla, tree fruit and a hint of oak.

Palate: In spite of the lower proof (92), there’s a bit of creaminess to the mouthfeel, which communicates cinnamon, apples, butterscotch, brown sugar and light oak. It’s more complex than I expected.

Finish: This is where Barmen 1873 loses a little bit of steam. The flavors are nice enough, but the finish simply doesn’t linger as much as I’d like. The butterscotch and apples try to hang on, but they’re gone much too quickly.

Final Verdict

For the price, this is a big winner. The aroma and flavors are fantastic, even if the finish leaves me wanting more. But for $35, you won’t find many better bottles. If you come across Barmen 1873 in your area, it’s worth grabbing—one you can pour for friends any time, and they’ll never feel cheated.

Cheapskate Score: 80.7

About Douglas Blaine

Capnpen is a writer who was a newspaper and magazine journalist in a previous life. A college journalism major, he now works as an English teacher, but gets his writing fix by blogging about a variety of topics, including politics, religion, movies and television. When he's not working or blogging, Capnpen spends time with his family, plays a little golf (badly) and loves to learn about virtually anything.

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