It’s 2020. It’s December. Let’s shut this year down with a brand new whiskey (or whisky) every day. It’s my own personal whiskey advent calendar. +6! Dec. 11, 2020 This is 9 year old Tennessee bourbon finished in French Oak red wine barrels for a 18 months. Overall big fan of Bardstown, with a big letdown from Destillare. Hoping for a comeback story with this one. Nose is nose hair singing. This is hot. There’s grapes, raisin, sugar, ice cream. It’s on fire, but it’s delicious. Body hits gentler than expected in mouth feel. In flavor, there’s a heavy oak wall, higher than you’d expect for a 9-year bourbon. Get past it, and you’re rewarded. There’s lemon, fruit punch, sangria, cherry. This is delicious. Finish is gentle. There’s lingering sugars, but also tannins and a hint of cherry. There’s a nice buzz, and some cinnamon. Like most red wine finished bourbons, you can find that almond aftertaste, but the other flavors are too rich to make that a dominant finish note. This drink is phenomenal. It’s the best red wine finish I’ve ever had. And yet... it’s still not my favorite bardstown. They nailed this one out of the park, as they often do. It’s a bourbon for red wine lovers, finished bourbon fans, and anyone open to something new and well crafted. ‘Tis the season. I’m day-to-day on my whiskey selection, so if you’re reading this and there’s something readily available out there you’d like me to enjoy/suffer through this holiday season, leave it in the comments. Merry whiskey to all, and to all a beer flight!