Belle Meade Bourbon Cognac Cask Finish

Released in 2016. The team at Belle Meade likely anticipated consumers would react in one of two ways to the XO Cognac finish: either appreciating the unique fruity and spicy sweetness it imparts to the bourbon, attributing it to the cognac, or dismissing it as a poorly made bourbon, blaming the cognac influence. I fell into the latter category, and a significant portion of this bottle ended up being used for cooking. The resulting dishes weren't particularly impressive either. This is unacceptable for an $80 product, especially given the red flags: NO AGE STATEMENT. The age should be clearly stated on the bottle, regardless of font size or numerical value. The absence of an age statement often suggests an attempt to conceal a subpar product. LOW PROOF. For a no-age-statement whiskey, a higher proof (like cask strength or at least 50% ABV) should justify the price. This 45.2% ABV is questionable for a bourbon costing over $50. Calling it "drinking strength" is a misleading tactic to increase volume and profit. Alcohol content should not be manipulated with euphemisms for reduced potency. CASK FINISHING. This trendy approach to whiskey production is often overemphasized. When the primary marketing focus is on the finishing cask, be skeptical. It's akin to advertising a car based solely on its alloy wheels. At best, Belle Meade Cognac Cask Finish is a barely passable whiskey. After about a year of being open, the finish seemed to integrate better, and the remaining sips were akin to a sweet bourbon, comparable to Angel's Envy Port Cask Finish, which is already overpriced for its $50 market value. This is profoundly disappointing at $80. Rating: 0 (forgettable) Price range: $60-100 Perceived value: $20

Cask no 4917, Bottle no 130, at 116.5 proof. Nose: While it doesn't have the immediate impact of an oloroso sherry finish, the cognac is a wonderfully sweet and pleasant addition on top of this already well-crafted bourbon. This version is less assertive than the sherry nose, offering more balance and complexity, but a much better overall character. The palate starts nicely with sweet cognac grape notes, then transitions into some excellent rye and bourbon characteristics. It's spicy, yes, but complemented by numerous caramel candy and red fruit flavors alongside the bourbon's brown sugar and vanilla notes. The texture is fantastic; perhaps the higher proof barreling compared to the sherry finish, along with the high rye content, is responsible for this exceptional product. The trade-off of a slightly less robust nose for a significantly bigger and bolder bourbon-rye body on the palate is a clear advantage. Finish: It finishes like a good barrel-aged rye and bourbon with a sweet heat. I was eager for the next sip; this was almost the opposite of the sherry Belle Meade, which excites you only to disappoint in the end. For fans of bourbon and rye, this is a definite recommendation. The cognac is an ideal addition to the flavor profile, providing just the right positive boost of sweetness you'd expect from such an experiment. I'm somewhat surprised after the sherry attempt, but this Belle Meade expression gets a big thumbs up as a winner.

Received the three-bottle gift set of BM cask finishes. 375ml bottles for $89, a decent value to try all three. This is the first one tried, and as expected, it's the least impressive of the three. This isn't a major flaw, as it's still quite good. Poured neat, the nose is rich and sweet. It's a blend of candy cigarettes, mini marshmallows, and honey with a floral note and waxed wood. As it rests in the glass, notes of butterscotch and rye spice emerge, with just a hint of dill. The palate features spicy rye alongside Bullseye crème caramels and polished oak. The vanilla is bold and enjoyable. A floral essence permeates the entire experience, carrying cognac-like qualities. The finish has drying oak, lingering vanilla, and rose petals. It drinks a bit hot for its proof, but I actually appreciate that in a spicy bourbon like this. Overall, the cask profile isn't my top preference and doesn't justify the regular full bottle price for me (around $70). I'm glad I tried it, and I like it a lot, but not enough to purchase it normally... 87/100... If this were priced at $40-50, I'd be all over it.

Enjoying the initial aromas and the cognac notes that accompany them. Nose: rye spice, strawberry, cherry, light fruit, and vanilla. The taste is sweet and easy to drink, but it lacks distinct character. The finish brings back the aromas from the nose, making up for the palate. Final Assessment: 7-7.5/10. It's a smooth, approachable drink. If available at your bar, it could be a great whiskey for sipping with friends who are new to whiskey appreciation. However, if you don't have it, I don't believe it's worth the $65-80 USD price tag. There are many other bottles available for half the price that are preferable.

Tasted as part of a cask finish set including three 375ml bottles (Sherry, Madeira & Cognac). I typically prefer to stay traditional and don't always enjoy cask finishes, but Belle Meade manages to make the cask finish prominent while maintaining a balance with the bourbon. I favor the sherry the most, followed by the madeira, and then the cognac. All three are very smooth. The sherry offers a pleasant sweetness and is the most engaging. The madeira has an earthy flavor and a moderate sweetness. The cognac is noticeably the warmest of the three. The set of 3x 375ml bottles costs $100.

Part of a special three-bottle cask finish series, presented in a 375ml box. Batch number 18-04, bottle number 1331. An excellent value at $99.99, considering the 750ml versions of the three bottles would total $225. I sampled all three sequentially: Cognac, Madeira, and Sherry. Tasted neat in a Glencairn glass at home. The nose reveals vanilla, orange zest, and a pleasant sweet spice. The palate offers oily notes from the cognac cask, grape must, candied orange peel, clove, and apples. The finish is characterized by lingering oil and spice. Enjoyable. Dated 1/30/20.