On Your 6 Bourbon Review (2025)

On your six! That’s military slang for I’m directly behind you. Why six? Military terms should be easy to understand and universal, and on your six! (or variations thereof, such as, I’ve got your six! or watch your six!) is a good example.

 

Why six? Think of an analog clock. There are twelve positions, the four main ones being three o’clock (right), six o’clock (back), nine o’clock (left), and twelve o’clock (front). Since you don’t have eyes in the back of your head, your “six” is considered the most vulnerable part of your body.

 

On Your 6 Bourbon was founded in 2023 by US veterans who wanted to honor not only American servicemen but also everyone who could be considered everyday heroes, such as first responders, nurses, and teachers.

 

“On Your 6 is a glass raised to the camaraderie and dedication of the most inspiring people on earth. It’s a celebration of commitment, sacrifice, and leadership. A salute to the ones who have our back. And a thank you to all those who work in the service of others.” – On Your 6 Bourbon

 

The bottle is shaped as a vintage military canteen. The label is embedded with NFC technology. I tried it out; it took me to a page on On Your 6’s website entitled Hero Stories, which (at the time of this review) provides the background stories of 58 everyday heroes. It is a heartwarming way to honor those who served in those capacities, and I recommend taking the time to read through them.

 

On Your 6 Bourbon is aged at least two years in #3 charred oak barrels, yet lacks a Straight designation. That could be by choice or because it wouldn’t qualify. Its mashbill of 72/18/10 is a familiar one used by several Kentucky distilleries, so your guess is as good as mine as to who is responsible for the distillate.  

 

On Your 6 is billed as a premium Bourbon that the team chose after sampling 40 different blends. A portion of each sale supports the On Your Six Foundation, which donated to 46 organizations in 2024.

 

How does On Your 6 Bourbon fare? That’s the big question. I must thank On Your 6 Bourbon for providing me with a sample of their whiskey in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s #DrinkCurious.

 

• Whiskey Type: Bourbon
• Distiller: Undisclosed Kentucky distillery
• Age: 2 years
• Mashbill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
• Cooperage: New, #3 char 53-gallon oak barrels
• Entry Proof: 59% ABV (118°)
• Alcohol Content: 40% ABV (80°)
• Price per 750mL: $39.99

 

Appearance: I poured this Bourbon neat into my Glencairn glass. Inside, the color was yellow gold. A medium rim formed, creating widely spaced, slow, thicker tears.

 

Nose: Despite the lower proof, I opted to let On Your 6 sit for about 15 minutes to acclimate. When I was ready to explore the aroma, I detected notes of corn, caramel, toffee, and oak. Drawing the vapor through my lips provided a more intense corn flavor.

 

Palate: The mouthfeel was soft and creamy. There was no obvious palate shock, and I discerned corn and pecans on the front of my palate. Midway through, I found flavors of vanilla and orange zest. I tasted mild oak and rye spice on the back.

 

Finish: Pecans, corn, and mild oak carried through to the end. It was an even-keeled finish that lasted 1:10, making for a medium duration.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I love causes that benefit charities. Helping “everyday heroes” seems like a great cause to me. KUDOS to On Your 6 Bourbon for doing that.

 

"Premium" is a term often used; it typically refers to a higher price. On Your 6 Bourbon absolutely does not carry a premium pricetag. As for premium taste, that’s subjective and lacks a legal definition. So, I won’t tell you it is or isn’t a premium Bourbon.

 

What I can tell you is that it is an extremely easy sipper, which is credited to its minimal alcohol content. I suspect that this went through a charcoal filtration process, as there was no harshness whatsoever, which is something you’d expect from a two-year-old Bourbon, low-proofed or not.

 

On Your 6 Bourbon is, however, unmemorable. There’s nothing to dislike; yet I can say the same thing about its ability to stand out in a crowd of minimally proofed whiskeys. It would be interesting to try it at, say, 86° or 90°. Those would likely add much-needed character to this Bourbon.

 

So, what’s my rating? If spending money to benefit a cause in exchange for a clean, attractive package is worth a premium to you, go ahead and grab one. As far as the Bourbon inside, you’ll want to try this at a Bar first. Cheers!

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.