whiskeyfortheages, Author at Whiskey for the Ages

Daviess County Cabernet Sauvignon Finished Bourbon

Posted on 23-May-202228-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Daviess County Cabernet Sauvignon Finished Bourbon Review:

reviewed 17-May-2022

DAVIES COUNTY CABERNET SAUVIGNON FINISHED BOURBON REVIEW:

Daviess County Cabernet Sauvignon Finished Bourbon (Daviess County Cab) is influenced by the cabernet as wine tannins are easy to distinguish from the aroma through to the finish. The nose offers a bit of corn, fruit and sweetness as does the taste. However, neither the spice or sweets dominate, but it is in the depth of the dry old oak, hazy barrel char, and leather which provides the the foundation for this blended bourbon.

DAVIESS COUNTY CABERNET SAUVIGNON FINISHED BOURBON VITAL STATS:

Davies County Cabernet Sauvignon Finished

Category: Blended and Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Region: Bardstown, Kentucky
Distillery^*: undisclosed
Producer: Lux Row Distillers
Company: Luxco, MPGI
Master Distiller/Master Blender: John Rempe
Mash Bill: blend of ryed and wheated mash bills (specific volume ratios undisclosed)
Rye Mash Bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley (for spice)
Wheat Mash Bill: 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley (for smoothness)
Barrel Char: undisclosed
Barrel entry proof: undisclosed
Finish: Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon barrels (6 mo)
Age: nas
ABV: 48% (96 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 86536
Price: $49.95 (May 2022, Idaho)
_{*Bottle label notes: “Distilled and aged in Kentucky. Bottled for Lux Row Distillers, Bardstown, KY”}

^{This unique bourbon features a combination of two bourbon mash bills – one wheated, one ryed – and is finished for six months in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon barrels for unforgettable layers of complexity.
_{— Daviess County Bourbon}}

Learn more at Daviess County Bourbon.

ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:

Alternate pours, equaling about four ounces, were added into two Glencairns. My daughter and I enjoyed the bourbon neat for this review.

Check out her review for this bourbon here!

DAVIESS COUNTY CABERNET SAUVIGNON FINISHED BOURBON NOSE:

When I bring Daviess County Cab to my nose I smell wine tannins. As I breathe in, traditional bourbon aromas of corn, wheat, currants, and stale raisins along with a touch of citrus and faint tart apple come forward. The spices are few and faint and are more like hints of cloves and white pepper. I get some nice toasted rye biscuit aromas and sweets of cocoa, vanilla, and honey as well. But it is the depth of the dry old oak, hazy barrel char, and leather which provides the aromatic foundation for this bourbon.

DAVIESS COUNTY CABERNET SAUVIGNON FINISHED BOURBON PALATE:

The first sip of Daviess County Cab is straight up tannin and dried dark fruits of currant, raisin, and fig. There is a bit of dusty grain here too, along with ginger and black pepper which compliment the flavor of toasted rye and notes of cocoa, flame toasted (and nearly burnt) sugar sprinkled over vanilla custard. And as noted on the nose, dry old oak, hazy barrel char, and dampened old leather make their way to the palate as well.

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Not quite a bourbon (and definitely not a wine), cabernet barrel finishing heavily influences Daviess County Cab. Tannins and dark fruit dominate as does the woodiness making this pour a bit unbalanced (for my tastes). In my mouth the liquid is not quite creamy but is relatively easy to hold although I get a surprisingly rough and gritty back of tongue tickle. In the Glencairn, a thick curtain clings between sips. As it breaks, long legs transport the liquid back to the tawny pool before a well defined inverted crown hangs in the bowl.

DAVIESS COUNTY CABERNET SAUVIGNON FINISHED BOURBON FINISH:

Daviess County Cabernet Sauvignon Finished Bourbon lingers warmly in my throat with the noticeable tannin, and touch of dusty grain, dark fruit, ginger and pepper. While the finish is not sweet, I do sense the presence of an oddly bitter dark molasses after each sip. And when there is no more, dry toasted oak and a little woody caramel wafts from the empty Glencairn.

MY RATING: 85/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? NO
While the score indicates a solid above average performer, there are others I would rather have in my bunker. But for people who seek a tannin and oak filled treat, Daviess County Cab Bourbon might be the one.
_{Click to read Brian’s scoring process.}

Click 85/100 to access other whiskies awarded this score.
To see other whiskies from this brand, click Daviess County.

WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:

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Daviess County Cabernet Sauvignon Finish Review

Posted on 23-May-202228-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Daviess County Cabernet Sauvignon Finish Review

Original review written May 17, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Dry wine, wood, and occasional dark fruit, this is unlike any bourbon I’ve had before – finish or no. It’s decent, and I remain intrigued by the line. Would I buy this particular special finish again? Perhaps not, but I won’t struggle to finish this bottle. 86/100

VITALS:

Daviess County Cabernet Sauvignon Finish Review

– Made In: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Lux Row Distillers (specific distiller undisclosed)
– Classification: Special Finish Blended Bourbon
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: blend of ryed and wheated mash bills (specific volume ratios undisclosed)
Ryed: Corn=78%; Rye=10%; Malted Barley=12% (for spice)
Wheated: Corn=68%; Wheat=20%; Malted Barley=12% (for smoothness)
– Casks: undisclosed char; finished for six months in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon barrels
– Barrel Entry Proof: undisclosed
– ABV: 48% (96 proof)
– Price: $49.95 USD in Idaho in 2022

Visit daviesscountybourbon.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the spirit neat from a Glencairn glass with sister, as well as father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

This bourbon is reminiscent of drought, where each sip makes you want more – not necessarily ever feeling entirely quenched. Instead of choosing a setting to balance this dryness, I wonder if finding someplace perhaps even drier would push this bourbon to perform with the potential I know it is capable of. Find dry earth with dusty air and let this bourbon stretch its legs with depth, fruit and richness – I know it can do it.

Photo by Micaela Parente on Unsplash

NOSE:

Despite this being a special finish, this is immediately recognized a bourbon even on the first inhale. It smells sweet with corn and deep with age. There are plenty of dark, dried fruits – like dry raisins, fig, prunes, currants, and a hint of ripe plum as well. These are coupled with a mixture of cinnamon and ginger that brightens the tone of this bourbon. There is earth here also with leather, and of course, the aforementioned grain. Caramelized oak and waffle cone round out the complex nose, absorbing any kind of alcohol burn right along with it. It’s a nose that’s right up my alley with fruity darkness, and I’m looking forward to taking a sip. This doesn’t necessarily smell like wine, but the wine influence is certainly there.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: There is a bit of raspiness, but it doesn’t cling to the palate at all.
– Balance: It’s on the simpler side with the notes it provides, but the flavors are unique to our bunker, all the same.
– Visual: Honey in color, there are many long legs that fall from a well-defined ring. They don’t cling much, but they are thick.

– Taste: There is little to no alcohol to be found on the palate, and I can sit with it for some time before feeling any kind of urge to aggravate it at all. When I do, I am met with a staunch black bread heavy with dark bittersweet molasses. The wine barrel tannins are more pronounced here on the palate than they were on the nose, and that depth is backed by sharp currants and a type of sweet custard spread, like what you’d find in a Boston Cream Pie. Additional richness comes from a nutty essence, like unsalted, chopped peanuts.

The fruitiness of wine influence isn’t as apparent as it was on the nose; however, the dryness coupled with oak, yeast, and earth is very strong. None of this affects the alcohol, which is inoffensive and gentle. At its most aggressive with a Kentucky chew, wood dominates and very little else comes through.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium. I find a little remaining warmth at the back of the throat, and minor aftertaste.
– Between Sips: Yeast and wood are the most pronounced between sips, and it does feel a little like a one-note wonder, but it’s decent enough.

– No More: This grows a bit simpler and drier the further into the glass I get, with the pre-existing, minimal fruit becoming even more faint. It’s disappointing, as I was hoping for the fruit to be more intense.

The empty Glencairn smells like a pure bourbon with heavy rye, and spicy oak. I wish a bit more of that bite was in the pour itself, as this smells heavenly.

WORTH THE PRICE?

While this is decent, and while I also appreciate that each of the Daviess County offerings received by our stores hover at $50, I would say this is not their strongest pour. If you like dryness with oak and bread, this is beyond worth the price, but if you’re buying this, thinking that you’ll find a great deal of fruit, prepare to be a little let down. I won’t have any difficulty finishing this bottle, and despite this being unique to our collection, I’m not entirely convinced I’ll need another. That being said, I would be intrigued to try the French Oak Finish of this line just to know what it offers. $50 isn’t an offensive price (to me), and it’s an experimental price I don’t usually mind paying.

DAVIESS COUNTY CABERNET SAUVIGNON FINISH REVIEW RATING: 86/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 86/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.
To see other whiskies from this brand, click Daviess County.

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Little Book Chapter 3: The Road Home

Posted on 15-May-202227-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Little Book Chapter 3: The Road Home Review:

reviewed 10-May-2022

LITTLE BOOK CHAPTER 3: THE ROAD HOME BOURBON REVIEW:

Little Book Chapter 3: The Road Home (Little Book 3) is a near perfect pour for those of us who love high proof heat. Its nose, palate and finish balance with the essence of soft apples, robust baking spices, and leathery depth which fade in and out as the pour is enjoyed. But be forewarned, this bourbon blend drinks hot. As a pre-pandemic release, Little Book 3 will be hard to find, but if I were to see it on the shelf at or under $225, I would bring it home for a special evening treat.

LITTLE BOOK CHAPTER 3: THE ROAD HOME BOURBON VITAL STATS:

Category: Straight Bourbon
Region: Clermont, KY, USA
Distillery: Jim Beam
Company: Beam Suntory
Master Distiller: Freddy Noe, 8th Generation Beam Family Distiller
Blend Overview:
9-year-old Knob Creek Bourbon
9-year-old Basil Hayden’s Bourbon
11-year-old Booker’s Bourbon
12-year-old Baker’s Bourbon
Mashbill: Blend of 77% Corn, 13% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley (Knob Creek, Baker’s, and Booker’s) and 63% Corn, 27% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley (Basil Hayden’s)
Recipe: 51
Casks: New charred oak
Barrel Chars: #4
Barrel entry proofs: 125
Age: 9 years old
ABV: 61.3% (122.6 Proof)
Release Date: September 2019
Purchase Price: $124.95 USD (2019 – Idaho)

LABEL INSPIRATION:

_{“The Road Home” batch pays tribute to my grandfather as the name Little Book is actually the childhood nickname that he gave me. And so I thought after having a couple of chapters under my belt that it would be a great time to pay honor to him and blend some of the liquids that he gave the bourbon industry.}
_{The four liquids that I chose to go into this batch of Little Book^® are from the original small batch collection that my grandfather, Booker, created. The Road Home is a blend of nine year old Basil Hayden^®, nine year old Knob Creek^®, 11 year old Booker’s^® and 12 year old Baker’s^®, and as always with Little Book^®, these liquids are at barrel strength and will be bottled at barrel strength as well. The name “The Road Home” references the road that I travel to and from on a regular basis, the same road my grandfather, Booker, traveled back when he used to work here at the distillery.
^{— Freddie Noe, 8th Generation Beam Family Distiller}}

Click Little Book to learn more.

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

Taken from the newly opened bottle, the first one and a half ounces mixed with the bourbon in our Infinity Bottle Project. Then, by alternating the pours, four once review amounts went into two Glencairns. My daughter and I enjoyed the bourbon neat as we prepared this review.

Check out her review for this bourbon here!

LITTLE BOOK CHAPTER 3: THE ROAD HOME NOSE:

Little Book 3 has one of the hottest noses I’ve had in some time. My nose tingles with the strong ethanol presence. It takes time to acclimate, but even then care is needed. As I work my way around our Flavor Wheel, I pick up faint apple blossoms, sweet corn and sense undefined stone fruit as well as acidic citrus. But there are plenty of baking spices … I get cinnamon, ginger, green pepper, rye and yeasty notes as one might smell in warm apple pastry lightly dusted with cocoa powder. There is vanilla here too, which blends with the aromas of caramelized sugar and orange blossom honey drizzled over finely chopped pecans. Best of all are the woody elements – plenty of dry seasoned oak, hazy barrel char and for added depth some old leather.

LITTLE BOOK CHAPTER 3: THE ROAD HOME PALATE:

Little Book 3 is warm bordering on hot with quite an alcohol bite. The fruit tree blossoms sensed on the nose come through as do the sweet corn, faint soft apples, and now some apricot and I can feel citric acid. And like on the nose I can taste the cinnamon, ginger, rye, and black pepper. And in keeping with the baking theme, the flavors of apple pastry infused with rich vanilla and caramelized sugar fade in each sip as do the woody notes of seasoned dry oak, hazy barrel char and the added depth of leather.

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Little Book 3 is well balanced from the nose to the finish. Somehow the added heat works here and is welcome. Could it be the influence of the high rye barrel proof Basil Hayden? The first sip is prickly on tongue and challenging to hold. When I set the Glencairn down, a curtain of liquid coats the inside of the glass before breaking into long clinging legs to transport the dregs back to the dark, old oak colored pool. Left behind is a well defined inverted crown.

LITTLE BOOK CHAPTER 3: THE ROAD HOME FINISH:

Little Book Chapter 3: The Road Home has an exceptionally long, bordering on almost hot finish. It bites at the back of the tongue as it slides into the throat. Each sip tries to give a Kentucky Hug, however I am fortunate to have enjoyed many high proof bourbons. As I rest between sips, I sense roasted corn, soft apples, apricots and acid. The baking spices of cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper come through as well as do bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, caramel and dark molasses. The balance continues, as seasoned dry oak, hazy barrel char and the leather flows through the finish. And as I finish the last drops, fresh cut oak wafts from the empty Glencairn.

MY RATING: 92/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
_{Click to read Brian’s scoring process.}

To access other whiskeys awarded this score, click 92/100.
Click Little Book to read my thoughts on other whiskies in the series from Freddy Noe.

WHISKEY TRAITS AND FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:

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Brian’s Whiskey Reviews
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