The influence of cognac is clearly on the nose, showing notes of grape jam, vanilla, gentle oak, clove, and butterscotch. The overall scent is quite subdued. The ethanol is a bit strong for the proof, but it's not a major issue. The palate offers some intriguing elements like grape and strawberry preserves, whipped cream, the butterscotch from the aroma, hazelnut, and a touch of chocolate. The flavors have some depth but lack impact; they feel a bit dull. The brief finish includes clove, cinnamon, a whisper of white pepper, and green oak. It tastes "young" and unremarkable. A small amount of grape must carries through from the nose to the palate and finish. The texture is exceptionally smooth and medium-bodied, which is indeed a standout quality. While the cognac finish adds some positive aspects, it cannot mask that the underlying bourbon is quite ordinary, likely very young. At $39.99, the price is excellent in the current market, but it's not even the top choice from this brand, as I'd prefer the bottled-in-bond version for the same cost. It doesn't quite make the cut for a repeat purchase.
1792 Cognac Cask Finish
3.76 Decent
Whiskey Bourbon Kentucky No age statement 47.5% ABV
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About this bottle
1792 Cognac Cask Finish, produced at Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, utilizes the same high-rye mash bill, fermentation, and distillation as 1792 Small Batch Bourbon. After its initial aging, it spends at least six months in cognac casks for finishing. These barrels were situated on the upper levels of the rickhouses to enhance aging and wood interaction due to increased temperatures. This marks the first cask-finished expression to become a permanent offering for the brand, available nationwide from September 2025 at an SRP of $37.99.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 8 parsed reviews.
The nose opens immediately with stone fruit and sweet vanilla. After 30 minutes of airing, it completely changes. It's super smooth, like a dessert wine you can drink a little of and feel full from the richness. I saw a review mentioning it tastes almost like banana foster in the mid-palate, which I can see; it's hard to pinpoint. A good pour for the price. Very unique.
The aroma is very sweet, which is its best feature. The palate suggests a finished expression of a well-known bourbon, with some notes reminiscent of cognac. It's enjoyable for sipping but comes across as one-dimensional. It might improve as the bottle airs out. For the price, it's worth acquiring another bottle.
Nose: Sweet dark fruit (apricot or plum), toasted oak, fig or floral notes from the cognac. Taste: Banana foster, sweet, dark fruit (apricot or plums), spicy, oak and toasty, vanilla, orange zest, and fig or floral notes from the cognac.
Considering this is an allocated spirit with a reasonable price, I'm quite pleased with this acquisition. While my palate isn't expert, I found it enjoyable. It's smooth, not harsh at all, possibly a bit oily; overall, it's delicious! I hope the producer reintroduces it!!
The aroma has notes of grape and fruit. The palate is characterized by dry oak with subtle sweetness. The finish is brief and light. It possesses a strong fruit presence and is drier than anticipated.
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