A new bourbon brand is coming to North Texas with an ’1883’ face as brand ambassador
A new Texas-based bourbon inspired by the modern west, bull riding and action sports is bucking its way to Dallas-Fort Worth area bars and retailers in April.
Bucking Bull Bourbon is a 100 proof smooth, silky whiskey packaged with a bright, colorful label featuring a bucking bull.
Brand Ambassador and spokesperson Eric Nelsen said the label helps the bottle pop off the shelf and can be spotted by the viewer in a dark room.
Nelsen, a Fort Worth resident who played the character Ennis in “Yellowstone” prequel “1883,” said he was introduced to Bucking Bull during the Careity Celebrity Cutting event in December. “Yellowstone” series stars participate in Careity Celebrity Cutting events, which helps raise funds for North Texas cancer patients.
Nelsen said he met co-founders Phil Neason and wife Sarah Pfaff at the event and enjoyed hearing about their story.
“I tried the bourbon and completely fell in love with it,” he said.
The idea started about eight years ago when Neason bought a baby bucking bull during the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas while Pfaff was at work. Afterwards, as a speechless Pfaff walked with Neason down Las Vegas Boulevard, Neason bought a shot of whiskey and suggested the couple start a whiskey brand called “Bucking Bull Bourbon.”
“That was like his way of trying to make up to me for kind of buying this baby bucking bull while I was heads down in a business meeting,” she said. “That began our journey. From there we started researching the whiskey market.”
Pfaff said they had a strong response to the bourbon during its limited launch at the 2022 Careity Celebrity Cutting event and excitement was sparked during this year’s first fiscal quarter.
Outside of its unique labeling, Nelsen said Bucking Bull Bourbon’s flavor makes it stand out from other whiskey brands.
At 100 proof, the San Antonio distilled bourbon packs a punch, he said. Despite its strength, Nelsen said Bucking Bull Bourbon is aged five years and has a lot of sweetness to it with a silky finish.
“In my mind, it is the perfect Texas premium bourbon. It blew me away from the first sip and I know it will do the same for anybody who tries it,” he said.
Pfaff said she and Neason chose to launch Bucking Bull in the Dallas-Fort Worth area because it’s the home of the Professional Bull Riders World Finals. The PBR World Finals will be at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth May 12-21.
“Bucking Bull Bourbon and PBR, they should be said in the same sentence, so that was certainly a draw” Pfaff said.
Bucking Bull Bourbon will be available in North Texas April 1 with plans to expand throughout the state by the end of summer.
Local bars interested in serving Bucking Bull Bourbon can fill out a form through the company’s website.
