Infused/Special Finished Whiskey Archives – Page 3 of 9

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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Hannah’s Whiskey Reviews
Whiskey Reviews

Basil Hayden Toast Bourbon

Posted on 13-March-202227-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Basil Hayden Toast Review:

reviewed 08-March-2022

BASIL HAYDEN TOAST BOURBON REVIEW:

Released in late 2021, Basil Hayden Toast Bourbon (BH Toast) is the latest addition to the Basil Hayden line-up. Its mash bill is made with brown rice instead of and I am intrigued. Still, at just 80 proof (like all Basil Hayden offerings), this sat on our shelves for about three and a half months before we decided to put it in the review rotation. While this is a simple whiskey, there are some nice nuances and I think it has a place in the bunker … Think gateway bourbon. It definitely will not wow the seasoned drinker and it should NEVER be bought above MSRP, but there are distinct aromas and flavors most novices should be able to detect.

BASIL HAYDEN TOAST VITAL STATS:

Category: Bourbon, Finished Bourbon
Region: Clermont, KY
Distillery: DSP-KY-230 James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Mash Bill: 63% Corn, 27% Brown Rice, 10% Malted Barley (brown rice replaces the typical rye to create a softer, less spicy taste)
Barrel Char: #4
Finishing Barrels: Slowly toasted. Toasted barrels add spice and vanilla notes.
Barrel entry proof: unpublished
Age: nas, an undisclosed portion of the bourbon receives approximately two months of additional aging in the toasted barrels then is reintroduced to the untoasted distillate.
ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 16685
Price: $49.95 (Idaho, February 2022)
No batch or bottle number identifiers

_{“The latest permanent release from Basil Hayden® consists of an entirely new brown rice mashbill and a secondary finish in toasted barrels. The result is a bourbon with less spice, and deepened notes of sweet caramel with a bright, light mouthfeel.”}
^{— Basil Hayden website}

Learn more at Basil Hayden® Toast 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!

BASIL HAYDEN TOAST NOSE:

The nose of BH Toast is light and while simple, there are aromas I rarely sense in a bourbon … a bit of faint finger nail polish for one, but not so strong it becomes off-putting. I also scent dried field corn, plum, banana and some undefined dried fruit. There is a trace amount of allspice but overall this bourbon smells sweet. I get rich vanilla, caramelized sugar, toasted marshmallows and faint notes of light brown sugar sprinkled over Rice Krispies cereal and cashews. These aromas dance with and around plenty of toasted oak.

BASIL HAYDEN TOAST PALATE:

The first sip of BH Toast presents with an unexpected sour unripe apple mixed with a little light citrus. After I recalibrate to this taste, I get plums and dried figs dusted with powdered ginger and a pinch of black pepper. But as mentioned above, sweetness rules here. Rich vanilla, caramelized sugar and maple syrup enhance faint almond notes. There is also some wood if I take my time. I taste light toasted oak, barrel spice and an earthy note from the barrels in the form of BBQ Applewood smoke. While this bourbon tastes fine, the flavors are quite gentle.

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
As I nose BH Toast, I see long clinging legs and hanging droplets in the glass. These leave a nice crown above a light russet colored pool. Imagine my surprise when my first sip though soft, smooth and warm left a watery mouthfeel. Of course it is easy to hold but I feel a bit cheated by the display

BASIL HAYDEN TOAST FINISH:

Basil Hayden Toast Bourbon has a short finish with mild warmth owing to the low ABV. As on the nose and palate, dried corn and light citrus pass through as does a hint of faint banana. There is a bit of pepper here too, as well as the rich vanilla, buttery sweet caramel and light toasted oak with the sweet Applewood smoke sensed on the nose and palate. And when the last dram is gone, a balanced perfume of all the aromas and flavors waft from the Glencairn.

MY RATING: 86/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? MAYBE
I would replace an empty bottle only if I were expecting novice guests and I was looking to introduce them to something mild and sweet.
_{Click to read Brian’s scoring process.}

Click 86/100 to review other whiskeys with awarded this score.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Basil Hayden.

WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:

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Brian’s Whiskey Reviews
Individual Whiskey Reviews