Zanja-Madre Bourbon Whisky Shelf Review

Shelf Review

Designed to give you all the quick hit information you need when you’re standing in front of your local liquor store’s whisky shelf.

Odds are, you couldn’t name a distillery built into a former mortuary - until now. Founded in 2016, Hollywood Distillery has taken up residence in a former mortuary across the street from the famous Hollywood Forever cemetery in Los Angeles. Created by three guys (“partners in hooch”), they have built the distillery “as an homage to the community of Hollywood” with a focus on using local ingredients to make their expressions.

Today, we are going to be diving into their bourbon – distilled in El Segundo, and aged for at least 7 years. These bottles are only sold as 375mls and clock in at 46% ABV with an MSRP of around $40. I couldn’t find much about who is helping them distill, or what the exact mashbill is, but a little mystery never hurt anyone. The distillery is also producing vodka, gin, and rye whisky while also offering tours and tastings. I was graciously gifted this bottle over the holidays and am excited to have a new distillery in my own backyard. Let’s dive in and see what this former mortuary is cooking up.

  Age: At least 7 Years

ABV: 46%

Cask: New Oak

MSRP: $39.99 (375ml)

Distillery Name: The Hollywood Distillery

Review Date: 12/27/25

Nose: Fresh cedar, bubblegum, sawdust, wood veneer, with a big grassy note over top. There’s a craft funk here that creates an earthy confectionary sugar character.

Palate: White chocolate, green melon, earthy sweetness, and a touch of young, unmalted grain. Mouthfeel is solid, with a well-restrained heat that lets the flavors take center stage.

Finish: Short to medium finish with flashes of tropical fruit, fresh wood, and raw coffee grounds.  

Score: 85

Would I buy again? Hollywood Distillery’s Zanja-Madre bourbon is a good first release but still has a few years to go before it reaches its full potential. It’s craft whisky through and through, leading to a few rough edges, but is also full of a lot of promise. While the nose can struggle to combat its young grain note, the strong 7-year age statement helps bring the palate together in a way that gives a glimpse to how good this can get with a few more years in the barrel. I’d grab this bottle if you want to be a part of a young distillery journey – and compare to what they bring to market in a few years.