Mashbill – 76% Corn, 14% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley
Finished – Rosé Cask is finished in hand-selected French Rosé wine casks from the Southern Rhône region
Age – 4-5 years
Proof – 94
Other – Non Chill-Filtered, #4 Staves, #2 Heads
Price Paid – $59.94

Color – Golden Amber

Aroma – The rose wine is prevalent on the nose. There is also a light fruitiness, vanilla cream, and floral notes.

Tasted Neat – Rose wine is on the front of the palate followed by strawberry shortcake and vanilla cream with a finish of lingering nutmeg.

Tasted with dried cranberry – Fruit forward with floral notes as well as an herbal presence; very creamy. 

Tasted with a pecan – Fruitiness is gone, heavier in white pepper, but still creamy. 

Tasted with dark chocolate – Similar to the neat pour, but finishes with white pepper. 

Penelope Valencia

Mashbill – 75% Corn, 15% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley
Finished – Valencia is finished in Vino de Naranja casks
Age – 4-5 years
Proof – 95
Other – Non Chill-Filtered, #4 Staves, #2 Heads
Price Paid – $108.99

Color – Medium Amber.

Aroma – Toffee, orange cream, orange zest, and baking spices.

Tasted Neat – Floral notes and French vanilla on the front with burnt orange zest, moves to a rich fruit with pops of black and white pepper and a lovely creamy and savory finish where the orange peel reappears.

Tasted with dried cranberry – The cranberry negated the orange notes but brought in a hint of chocolate and remained creamy.

Tasted with a pecan – With pecan it is very woody up front and then the orange returns on the back end, but the creaminess was gone.

Tasted with dark chocolate – The dark chocolate enhanced the fruitiness and increased the boldness of the spices on the finish.

Discussion and Final Notes

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Spirit Requirements

Whiskey (generic) must be made from cereal grains, distilled below 190 proof, placed into an oak container, and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.

Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Such whiskeys have all the requirements of bourbon: Made in the U.S, distilled at <= 160 proof, barreled at <= 125 proof, aged in new, charred oak containers, bottled at >= 80 proof. Straight bourbon means it is aged at least 2 years (and must have an age statement if less than 4).

For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Bourbon Whiskey.

NOTE: The bourbons in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producers for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.