our heritage
At Doc Brown Farm, our grains are the heart of everything we do — and their story is one of heritage, stewardship, and an unwavering commitment to doing things right. We grow two exceptional heirloom varieties: Jimmy Red Corn, a rare and storied grain with roots deep in Southern moonshining tradition, and Abruzzi Rye, a time-honored variety prized for its resilience and rich, full flavor. Every seed we plant is grown organically, free from synthetic chemicals, and pollinated with the help of our own bees — because we believe the health of our crops begins with the health of the ecosystem around them. We farm with a blend of traditional practices passed down through generations and modern technology that allows us to work smarter and more sustainably, always with the goal of treating our land and environment with the care and respect they deserve. The result is grain grown with genuine intention, nurtured by healthy soil, clean air, and the kind of thoughtful farming that you can taste in every harvest.
JIMMY RED CORN
Jimmy Red Corn is more than a grain — it’s a legend rescued from the edge of extinction. Once grown in secrecy on James Island, South Carolina, by moonshiners who prized it above all other corns for making whiskey, this striking heirloom variety nearly vanished forever when its last caretaker passed away. Only two surviving ears remained, and from those, a remarkable revival began. Today, Jimmy Red stands as one of the South’s most storied and celebrated crops, recognized by chefs, bakers, and distillers alike for its extraordinary character.
Visually, Jimmy Red is unmistakable — its deep burgundy, pearl-like kernels set it apart from any ordinary field corn. But it’s what’s inside that truly makes it special. Jimmy Red boasts an exceptionally high oil content compared to conventional corn varieties, which gives it a richness and depth that standard yellow dent corn simply cannot match. The grain is naturally nutty, buttery, and sweet, with a complexity that carries through from the field to the glass.
When distilled into bourbon, Jimmy Red’s high oil content creates an unusually creamy, full-bodied mouthfeel — a lush, almost velvety texture that sets it apart from the moment it touches your lips. On the nose, expect aromas of sweet corn, honey, caramel, and roasted nuts, with subtle hints of vanilla and toasted oak. The palate opens with waves of honey, toffee, cornbread, and butterscotch, layered with a gentle earthy sweetness and a whisper of white pepper spice. The finish is warm and lingering, with notes of vanilla and oak, rounding out a rich, smooth, and deeply satisfying sip.
Perhaps most remarkable of all, Jimmy Red’s flavor is shaped by the very soil it grows in — a true expression of terroir. The land it’s grown on leaves its fingerprint in every kernel, making each harvest and every bottle of bourbon it produces a genuine reflection of place. At Doc Brown Farm, that means our Jimmy Red carries the character of our specific soil, our climate, and our care — a bourbon flavor that simply cannot be replicated anywhere else.
ABRUZZI RYE
Abruzzi Rye is a grain with a journey as remarkable as its flavor. Originally from the Abruzzo region of Italy, it made its way to the American South as an early seed import, where it became a primary grain source for centuries — prized by farmers and distillers alike for its hardy nature and exceptional character. Over time, as industrialization pushed agriculture toward high-yield, low-flavor commodity grains, Abruzzi faded into obscurity, nearly forgotten by the modern world. Today, a new generation of craft farmers and distillers are bringing it back, recognizing what those early Southern growers always knew: that Abruzzi is simply one of the most flavorful rye varieties ever cultivated.
What makes Abruzzi so special — and so different from the rye used in most commercial whiskeys — is its lower starch content compared to modern varieties. This means distillers must use a greater quantity of grain per batch, but the reward is a far more concentrated, dense, and complex flavor profile. The grain is celebrated for its robust character, rich nuttiness, and layered depth that modern hybrid ryes simply cannot replicate.
When distilled into rye whiskey, Abruzzi reveals a flavor experience unlike anything in the conventional whiskey world. On the nose, expect sweet cereal warmth layered with roasted nuts — almonds and hazelnuts — alongside notes of dark fruit, herbs, and a gentle earthiness. The palate is full and warming, with waves of spice, stone fruit, cacao, and mint, all wrapped in a silky, oily mouthfeel that speaks to the grain’s natural richness. The finish is long and satisfying, with herbal and peppery notes that linger beautifully. It is a whiskey that tastes of history — bold, complex, and deeply rooted in the land it comes from.
At Doc Brown Farm, growing Abruzzi Rye is an act of preservation as much as farming. Every stalk we raise is a connection to centuries of agricultural heritage, and every harvest carries the story of a grain that refused to be forgotten.
