Jefferson's Reserve Groth Reserve Cask Finish

Nose is rich, sweet fruits abound and a surprising alcohol sting. Very smooth, wood notes on the palate. Full mouthfeel. Finish is short. Some slight bitter notes appear later. Easy sipper. 3/31/17. TWCP store pick. This is bright, but still with the heavy cab notes. Tannic at the end. 10/27/17 Broudy's store pick. Rich fruit, but it's not heavy, this is very bright and has a pleasant caramel, vanilla, and honey tone to it. This is accessible to newbies but also has enough there for veterans. Crowd pleaser. 1/20/18

As the end of the work week closes, I look forward to sitting back and tasting one of many samples (and then some). I decide to deviate a bit from the Scots and go American. I sit back and pour myself the Groth while catching up on ‘Billions’ and ‘Homeland’. This American pour was not what I expected at all. A pour and a nose exposes sweet, dark fruit; port-like wine notes. But this fruity juice also has a inviting, balanced spicy side of rye and cinnamon. As it opens, the wine notes tend to dominate but the spicy notes remain and that rye-ness becomes more of an allspice. The bourbon traits of vanilla and brown sugar also rise up and this dram becomes a lovely potpourri. The first sip is initially spicy-hot blast from the nice higher proof. The medium viscosity liquid, upon the initial sips, reveal the Cabernet finishing as the grape notes are slowly drawn out as well as wine-grape tannins. So far, this sounds like a wine review, however, this is definitely a whiskey. Those wine notes blend and intermingle with bourbon flavors: corn, vanilla, rye, brown sugar. The blending creates a mulled-wine effect. As all this intermingling and dance of flavors begins to wind down, the fruity wine notes remain on the palate, along with wood/oak and vanilla, however, unfortunately and surprisingly, brief. I was actually impressed by this whiskey as this was something rather unique. The wine casks actually provide a pleasant twist to a bourbon. The darker wine provides a counterbalance to the sweet and spicy flavors. A versatile whiskey that can pair well as an aperitif, a main meal or with dessert. The only negative is not of flavor, but as accessibility, in terms of price. The whiskey sells for upwards of $86 and that places it in the upper range of cost and will price many out. However, this is worth seeking out in a bar or restaurant, if not to own. Thanks Lee! [Dry Glass: Grape juice and butterscotch][89/100][Tasted: 3/10/17]

Another sample courtesy of Lee, as part of our tasting team. I've not had many bourbons, but I feel if they taste like this, I need to replace Scotland with America (and Mexico...been falling in love with Mezcal lately). I love the complexity in this. Fruity aromas followed by a some Indian / Asian spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and cardamom. This is the whiskey I'd like to keep as a regular go-to dram...really well made. Thanks to Lee for the sample!

Very well balanced, great taste but good kick also

The train taking me on the Scotch Distillery Tour is making a stop in Kentucky. It's possible due to some quantum mechanics coupled with a flux capacitor, very scientific and I won't bore you with the details. Anyways, this Kentucky straight bourbon is aged 6 years in new America oak and then finished for 9 months in French oak barrels that were used to age Cabernet Sauvignon from the Groth Vineyards in Napa Valley, California. It is 45.1% ABV and as all Kentucky straight bourbons are, it is natural color of what I would call deep copper amber. I don't know if it is chill filtered or not. This one is from batch #6. Very mint forward initially on the nose, which surprised me. The fruity wine notes take over quickly. Very similar to a port wine finished whisky but with some differences. Oak, vanilla, toffee, caramel and butterscotch make themselves known once the strong wine notes start to subside. There is a corn sweetness typical of most bourbons and then a definite bubblegum note pops in. Brown sugar, cinnamon and clove after it sits in the glass for a while and then some similar spices like mulling spices. I have a small jar of mulling spices so I took a quick sniff, it's similar but not as intense. There is something else as well. Something very nice that I just can't seem to identify. A complex nosing whiskey. Mint forward again on the palate. A good strong vanilla note follows the mint. Fruity wine notes and mild oak. There is a rye-like spice to it. I'm not sure if there is rye in the mashbill but that's what it reminds me of. Fairly light mouthfeel that is semi dry, but mouthwatering at the same time. Medium long finish that is fruity sweet like blackberries/raspberries with some oak. I have to say I was very surprised at how good this bourbon is. This is my first from Jeffersons but it won't be the last. Sweeter and smoother with much more complexity than I expected. I am really loving these wine finished spirits. I believe this bottle went for around $90, which is high for a bourbon, but a decent price for a good scotch so I would not hesitate to buy a full bottle. One of the only criticisms I have is that I feel bottling at 48% vs 45.1% would have pushed it over the top. Thanks to Lee for the sample. 4.25. Cheers