Thomas S. Moore Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finished Bourbon

Thomas S. Moore Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Cabernet Sauvignon Casks, 47.65%, Non-Chill Filtered, Natural Color Barton 1792 Distillery uses its high rye mash bill aged 5-7 years in new charred oak barrels. Then the whiskey is transferred to a secondary cask for “extended” finishing. Normally a finish is measured in months, in this case, they are finishing in wine casks for 1-3 years. The smell - sweet candy corn, corn husk, vanilla, brown sugar, maybe some dried red fruits. Very nice but I am missing the cab sauv influence on the smell.  The taste - There’s the cab sauv! Nice dried red fruits, figs, baking spices, and slightly sour red grapes but integrated nicely. Musty corn, caramel, fruitcake, vanilla, and some dill/menthol spice. This is quite enjoyable. With water, the wine influence fades to the back but remains integrated.  The finish - is medium with baking spices but the cab sauv influence is riding this out, fortunately it is well integrated with the bourbon and a very nice finish to this unique bourbon experience. This was the first one I had opened of the three Thomas S Moore’s and obviously (see picture) enjoyed it quite a bit before opening the others. After opening the others I think I’d rank this just behind the port cask but well ahead of the chardonnay cask. This is a good bourbon with a very well-integrated red wine influence.   Overall Grade: B (Good)

The nose has sweet, creamy notes of charred oak, stating that this is clearly bourbon. The wine influence is there, offering a semi sweet element. It isn't very complex but rather it is intense and captivating. The palate starts witb a burst of baking spices that swirl through the corners of the mouth as creamy oak splashes over the tongue. The wine does impart a tannic, dry sweetness that is noticeable and compliments the bourbon well. It definitely leans more towards spice, in contrast to how the nose was, which is disappointing. With some swirling and chewing, those creamy and oaky notes are there but they have to be coaxed out. The finish is medium long with a lasting tingle of baking spices while tannic oak stays in the background. It's enjoyable to sip, but a bit out of whack between the nose and the palate. The spice is definitely overpowering what you might be expecting. That is a common symptom of Barton, however.

Neat. Sample. I have a sample of the Pinot that I will be doing after this one. Undeniably Barton immediately. Banana nut bread with a bit of vanilla icing on top. That’s a pretty complete picture right there. I can’t find any other angles. Watery on the tongue. Banana nut bread is still the main flavor(s) throughout. The cab finally comes into play on the finish. The cab finish is pretty pronounced even though I couldn’t find it on the nose. The vanilla icing appears on the finish as well. Geez, this is a bit weak. Maybe I would be more generous if it was $40ish but $70 is too much. I’ve had 1792 BiB single barrels that were stronger Barton products than this. The finishing does come across well and I have little doubt it improved the base product, but it’s the bourbon side of this falling flat with me. I’ll reset my palate and try the Pinot next but overall I am glad this is a sample and not a bottle I bought.

NOSE: Caramel frosting, oak, toffee, grits, vanilla, white grape juice, green coffee beans, pastries and dark fruits with a hint of baking spice. The wine notes pop a bit and as it opens a hint of copper shows along with a deeper wine presence. PALATE: Oak, toffee, grits, vanilla taffy, coffee beans, white grape juice, pastries and dark fruits with a hint of cocoa and baking spice. The Thomas S. Moore Bourbon Cabernet Sauvignon Casks’ fruity grapey sweetness dies down a tad here. Though it’s far from removed and makes the underlying bourbon more pronounced. FINISH: Med-long -> Oaky, spicy, fruity with a touch of cocoa on an easy grapey fade.

Rating #2 from the three bottles from this series. Notably better than the Chardonnay, this is unmistakably red wine from the start - grape-forward nose, there's gotta be some bourbon underneath, right? Definitely sweeter than I'd expect a Cab, and hints of brown sugar hang around. Flavor carries some of the expected Cab Sauv dryness, but not the oppressive astringency of the chardonnay offering. Just a bit of a one trick pony...nothing bad, but just not 'good'. Medium finish...I'd nip this again, but not a go-to on any occasion

N- light floral- not very strong- smooth- citrus P- warm- but not very strong - F- chocolate and orange at the end- light vanilla and fruit- quick smooth burst of burn- quickly gone- but then a nice fruit aftertaste. Best part of the bourbon is the finish- would like to have some orange/chocolate slices to go with it.