Bardstown Bourbon Co. Phifer Pavitt Reserve Finish

Looks like some people are trying to manipulate the scores on this one. Maybe I've just never seen someone give 5+ tastes on a whisky that's had one batch with no review and all the same score. Nose - There's a dusty and musty note. Some oak. There's a clear red wine note. I get a bit of vanilla. The caramel I think is all mixed up with the red wine. There's a bit of spices (not great with spice notes). Taste - Intense, the abv is just perfect for this expression. The red wine perfectly mixes with the sweetness of the barrels. I don't get up front bourbon or wine, instead I get something new and unique. Sweet, fruity, not overly citrus, not overly dry, yet not so sweet that it is over the top. It's really what you'd most want if you wanted the wine barrels to really come front and center but not remove the feel and nature of bourbon. Following that you get the oak and the vanilla and a hint of caramel from a bourbon. Swallowing really brings back in some bourbon and the finish even lets some nutty bourbon character come through. I'm awful with red wine notes but trust me when I say we're really getting the best of these wine casks here. I so often feel that bourbon is the perfect spirit to be finished on secondary casks and for far too long bourbon makers have ignored this. It's a serious shame, especially today when prices are sky rocketing, bourbons are getting younger, quality is going down, and simple finishing can help these under aged spirits that we're seeing sold for excessive prices and help justify paying higher premiums. One of the most enjoyable bourbons not from MGP or buffalo trace I've had in some time. I think if they could have used some older bourbon and I know this is their thing but a bit higher abv wouldn't hurt this one at all. This is worth a splurge and a great example of what bourbon should be moving towards at least for my tastes.

Some musty barrel notes on the nose, that I tend to get with wine finishes. Herbal, clove honey notes, nice spiciness. Musty dark fruit that lingers. Long finish, with a hint of chocolate. Another solid offering from Bardstown. 9/2/19