Must-Try Port Finished Whiskeys

Aged initially in American oak, they are subsequently finished in Ruby Port, Tawny Port, and Vintage Port casks. Tricky business aging whisky in a tropical climate, let alone double maturing.

The Port Finished Rye from Milam & Greene is a sourced rye release, with the whiskey coming from MGP in Indiana. The whiskey is matured and batched in Texas, and then finished in port wine casks. The whiskey is bottled at 94 proof.

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban increased its age statement from 12 to 14 Years in summer 2019. The initial maturation remains the same with the first 10 years spent in ex-bourbon casks. But the whisky is finished for four rather than two years in former ruby port casks. Quinta Ruban is non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% ABV. The packaging has been updated from a black label to a green label.

A Midwinter Night's Dram is a seasonal release from High West and Act 12 marks the 12th annual edition. It begins with the brand's Rendezvous Rye, a blend of straight rye whiskeys which are made from two mash bill recipes: one is a 95% rye/5% malted barley distilled in Indiana and the other is an 80% rye/20% malted rye made at High West in Utah. Then the rye blend is further finished in ruby and tawny port casks. Note: The Act reflects the batch number (Act 12 is the 2024 release) while the Scene is the bottling date. Available in limited quantities at High West Distillery and Saloon locations and via High West's website beginning October 2024. (SRP $149.99)

This single malt is first matured in American white oak casks. Next, half is removed and transferred to Tawny Port barrels from W&J Graham's vineyard in Portugal. Finally, both are remarried and bottled at 46.5%.

Bushmills 16 Year is a triple-distilled single malt aged around 15 years in a combination of oloroso sherry and bourbon casks. Then the whiskey is finished in port wine pipes to finish maturation. The single malt is bottled at 80 proof. (SRP $149.99)

Virginia Distillery Co.'s core line of self-distilled American single malt whiskies includes three current expressions. The Port Cask Reserve is matured in bourbon barrels and is then finished in a combination of port casks, including tawny port casks from premium Portuguese bodegas, and Virginia port-style wine casks. The whisky is bottled at 93 proof.

Woodinville Straight Bourbon Port Cask is made by taking straight bourbon which aged for five years and finishing it in former tawny port barrels for an additional six months. Bottled at 90 proof. Limited availability at the distillery and select retailers in Washington State.

Angel's Envy was founded in 2010 by Bourbon Hall of Fame member Lincoln Henderson and his son Wes. This expression was the first released by the brand shortly after its founding and it remains a part of its Signature Series. The Kentucky straight bourbon aged from 4-6 years is finished for up to six months in port barrels from the Douro region of Portugal.

The Portwood 21 Year is aged initially in American ex-bourbon barrels before finishing their aging in Port pipes. A pipe is the name of the oak container and holds 500-600 liters where an American oak barrel is only about 120 liters. The port finishing will give the whisky a pinkish hue.