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Can cask finished whiskey technically still be considered bourbon? It’s a very contentious subject worldwide in American whiskey as the guidelines particularly mention that bourbon must simply be developed in “charred new oak containers.” There are some who think that whenever invested in a various barrels quickly disqualifies these scotches from being considered bourbons, while a case may likewise be made that maturation and completing are various periods of measurement, with maturation typically enduring years, and winding up lasting simply a couple of months.
At Whiskey and Babes, we see them as not rather the exact same but not so very different either agreeing with our colleagues at Whisky Advocate.
New and Diverse Cask Finished Bourbons and Ryes
Bardstown Bourbon Business Ferrand Finished Bourbon 93, 55%, $125 Completed in barrels from cognac maker Ferrand, to excellent impact. A hint of barrel char on the nose, along with charred brown sugar, baked peaches, taffy, grenadine, toasted almonds, nougat, cooked pears, crème de cassis, and banana flan. The palate is smooth and thick, with bakery tastes, manuka honey, and rhubarb pie. The finish is oak packed, however abundantly with cooked fruit, charred oak, iced coffee, and dark chocolate.– David Fleming
Sagamore Spirit Ale Cask Finished
Rye 92 points, 49%, $69 Fragrant with Grape-Nuts, grape tough sweet, caramel-covered marshmallows, and cinnamon bun on the nose. Extremely powerful on the taste buds, with a spicy, tough grip and notes of roasted coffee beans, spiced vanilla, and raspberry pie. Water brings out grain-forward and bitter lemon scents and sweet dessert notes, semi-sweet chocolate, and pepper spice. Terrific length on a surface offering orange-tart fruitiness, vanilla cream, bitter espresso, and fresh grain.– David Fleming
Ammo Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Finished Bourbon 90 points, 45%, $50 Sweet lemon drops and essential lime pie on a fruit-forward nose, with tips of licorice and fragrant oak. Water highlights vanilla, bitter cherry, and sweeter notes of fruit cocktail. Spice and sweet taste on the taste buds– and surface– of vanilla cream, citrus, and red berry notes, plus cinnamon cake, allspice, and coffee, stabilized with pleasant oak and earthiness. Well made, with pronounced but well-balanced and well-integrated flavors. (120,000 bottles)– David Fleming
Redemption Cognac Cask Finished Bourbon 89
points, 49.5 %, $70 Poached pears, peaches, and other soft cooked fruit fragrances, along with sweeter notes of honey and brown sugar. The mouthfeel is soft and gently sweet, with pear tart, baked apple, ginger, cinnamon, and chocolate. Lots of chocolate and spice, with water drawing out the alluring spice and sweet fruit. The finish provides melon, vanilla bean, scorched brown sugar, and gingerbread cookies. (8,400 bottles).– David Fleming
World Whiskey Society 6 years of age Tequila Cask Finished Bourbon 89 points, 56%, $80 Ripe fruit on the nose– almost overripe, but it blows off to bring fresher hints of vanilla, cardamom, chocolate, lime, and faint baking spice. The taste buds is rather dry in the beginning but then develops to bring Toblerone, taffy, circus peanuts, and butterscotch syrup. The surface is the best part– lengthy and smooth, with loads of chocolate and a sweet subtle finale of candied lime. (3,000 bottles)– David Fleming
Templeton Oloroso Sherry Finished Rye 88 points, 46%, $53 The annual sherry-finished rye release from Iowa’s Templeton Distillery. Sweet notes of honey, butterscotch, and raisins blend with buttered peanuts, grape, and orange oil on the nose. The palate is extremely velvety and filled with tastes of sweet grain, candied strawberries, milk chocolate, and a scattering of allspice. The surface is long, rich, healthy, and loaded with berries and dark fruit notes. Sweet taste and spice partner to good impact.– David Fleming
H/T Whisky Advocate
