MB Roland Straight Bourbon Whiskey
🤙 Intro
Ah yes… the MB Roland Straight Bourbon Whiskey: U.S. Army Edition. A bottle so sharp it practically called me to attention when my father-in-law handed it to me. If memory serves, Frank the Tank from the Ol’ Man Posse is a big MB Roland fan. So either he gave it to my father-in-law to pass along, or someone somewhere lost a bet, and this bottle ended up in my hands. Either way, I’ll take it.
Nothing says “I support you” like a bourbon etched with the branch that taught me how to run, ruck, and swear creatively in 115-degree heat. This is an amateur review, which means the notes are honest, the opinions are mine, and the professionalism is… optional.
📜 MB Roland History
MB Roland is a grain-to-glass craft distillery down in Pembroke, Kentucky, started by Paul and Merry Beth Tomaszewski. They’re known for doing things a little differently — like using locally grown smoked corn for certain releases and refusing to proof things down just to appease the masses. I respect that level of stubbornness. This place has old-school charm, small-batch technique, and serious pride in their craft. And honestly? It shows.
🍾 Bottle Design
Let’s talk about this U.S. Army etched bottle. Clean. Crisp. Patriotic enough to make a bald eagle salute. The Army emblem etched into the glass gives it instant shelf appeal. It’s the kind of bottle that makes visitors say, “Dang… is that a limited release?” and you respond with a mysterious nod like you had to rappel into a warehouse to get it. In reality, it was gifted by my father-in-law, which automatically makes it special and also means I'm morally obligated to like it at least a little. And in case you have a service member in mind, yes, they do etch other branches. Christmas is near…. you're welcome!
🥃 The Pour
In the glass, it has a nice warm amber color — not super dark, not super light, just that comfortable “I’m about to make your evening better” shade. The legs were there but not long, hanging on the glass like a private clinging to the last five minutes of chow time.
👃 The Nose
Right off the bat: toasted oak, vanilla, and a little caramel. There’s also a dry corn sweetness that reminds you this is a craft Kentucky bourbon doing its own thing. Nothing wild, nothing funky — just reliable, straightforward bourbon notes that won’t try to confuse your senses or make you pretend you smell “crème brûlée dusted with unicorn tears.” This is a blue-collar nose. A support-your-local-distillery nose. I appreciate that.
😋 The Palate
On the first sip, you get sweet corn, light caramel, a touch of spice, and some oak that creeps in gently like, “Hey man, I’m here too.” It’s simple, friendly, and it doesn’t try to do backflips. This isn’t the kind of pour that sends you into a deep existential crisis about tasting notes. It’s the kind that makes you say, “Yep… that’s bourbon,” and then you take another sip. Straightforward. Balanced. Approachable. If bourbon had a motor pool sergeant, this would be it — no nonsense, no drama, gets the job done.
🔥 The Finish
Medium finish with a little oak and a little warmth. Doesn’t burn unnecessarily. Doesn’t disappear like it owes you money. Just a clean, easy finish that lets you know it showed up to formation on time.
💭 Final Thoughts
Honestly? I liked it. It’s not the best bourbon I've ever had, but it doesn't need to be. For the price, I would buy it, or another bottle in their line-up, and the Army edition makes it even cooler. I wish it were at least 4 years old for $65, but it’s a solid, dependable pour that feels right at home in the rotation. When looking at their line-up, I can see that the MB Roland folks put care into their craft, and it shows. Plus, anything gifted by the father-in-law automatically gains +10 sentimental points and +5 “display on the shelf with pride” points. If you want a bottle with character, history, and a patriotic flex? This one does the trick. Good bourbon. Ok value. Good story. I’d pour it again without hesitation.
Cheers to a dram good time! 🥃✨
The Details:
Proof: 100 • Distillery: MB Roland Distillery • Mashbill: Undisclosed • Aged: 2yrs •Price: $65
Brown Water Rating Scale:
Nose: 2 • Palate: 3 • Finish: 3 • Uniqueness: 4 • Value: 3 • Overall: 3
This is a 5-point scale based on my own preferences. This was also tested by my father-in-law, another whiskey lover. 