Belle Meade Bourbon Madeira Cask Finish

Belle Meade - is the name French or Old English? What does it matter - they are producing amazing bourbon journeys that drink like, and approach, single malts. I acquired this collection of 3X375ml bottles for $89.95, featuring three cask expressions: this one, the Cognac Cask, and the Sherry Cask. It's a great value in my opinion, and I appreciate the direction Belle Meade is heading with all of them. In my ideal world, if I were the top executive of bourbon, I'd name this 9-year-old spirit, 'Chest Candy'. The professional tasting notes are concise, without exaggeration or mystery. Once again, the flavor profile matches some beginner scotches, minus the nuttiness. Is this a rare find at a low price? No... but it's certainly enjoyable to drink. Recently, after a sip of this, I poured myself a "regular"-casked bourbon. And surprisingly, that was incredibly delicious. I believe a bottle of this can, and will, enhance your existing collection of spirits. It certainly did for mine. My Rating Scale: Two Stars: "I'd prefer drinking light beer." Two 1/2 Stars: "Pretentious nonsense." Three Stars: "I love whisk(e)y. This is standard affection." Three 1/2 Stars: "I might purchase it again." Four Stars: "I need this in my life." Four 1/2 Stars: "Superior to illicit substances." Five Stars: "Life is good. Whisky improves it."

This is the second in the cask finish trio. Now we're talking. I enjoy this much more than the cognac finish. It has a deep, rich color, a potent aroma, strong flavors, and a lengthy finish. Served neat, the nose presents meaty dark red fruits (primarily black cherry), sweet pipe tobacco, salted nuts, and varnished oak. After airing, it reveals super ripe peach and a spicy rye note emerges. The mouthfeel across all of this distillery's offerings is excellent, and this is no exception. The palate delivers a solid hit of toffee, cherry, and spicy rye. Dark chocolate, nuts, and sweet barrel notes are present. It's packed with enduring flavors that extend to the finish. Cocoa and molasses with rye and oak fade into the background, with the fruits lingering to complete the experience. It's a little hot for its proof, but it's so good it doesn't detract. This is very reminiscent of some superior Old Forester expressions, so if you appreciate OF100 or 1920, you'll likely be a fan. Is it worth the premium price tag ($70-$80)? That's subjective. I find it more complex and refined than Old Forester, and the bottle has improved significantly since opening, so I might even purchase the 750ml version. 90/100. Only the sherry finish and another expression remain, and a clear favorite has emerged.

Consumed neat, directly from the bottle. The wine influence is very apparent initially, resembling a dark raspberry jam. Following this is oak with a touch of peanut. Vanilla becomes noticeable as I adjust to the other flavors. Baking spices are prominent from the start. An ideal bourbon to sample just before Thanksgiving, as it could pair wonderfully with turkey, gravy, and cranberries. It has a rich, coating mouthfeel, but not creamy. The texture is medium oily. The vanilla and wine notes are intense on the palate from the beginning, hitting you strongly with raspberries and berries, akin to biting into a berry that bursts with flavor throughout your mouth. Vanilla, oak, and a hint of chocolate linger in the medium-short legs. I am very impressed. The Madeira finish leaves a more significant impact than the Sherry and Port finished whiskeys I have previously tried. The intense, deep fruit/jam flavors are powerful but eventually recede, allowing the whiskey's character to emerge. I am quite pleased with this.

Sampled as part of a three-bottle pack featuring cask finishes (Sherry, Madeira & Cognac). I typically prefer traditional spirits and am not always fond of cask finishes, but this producer skillfully highlights the cask influence while preserving the bourbon's character. My preference order is Sherry, then Madeira, then Cognac. All three are quite smooth. The Sherry offers a pleasant sweetness and is the most engaging. The Madeira has an earthy profile with moderate sweetness. The Cognac presents as the most potent of the trio.

I enjoy their standard bourbon, so I decided to try this variation. The aroma presents vanilla, sweet leather, baking spices, some smokiness, a bit of rye, and plum. Raisins are also detected with further nosing. The palate is rich, oily, and possesses a pleasant sweetness. Oak, cherries, and some rye spice are present. The finish is nice and long, with a subtle bitterness at the end. It's relatively easy to drink and offers some enjoyable flavors. This is a welcome alternative to their bourbon, which I also like.

A 375ml bottle from a special three-bottle cask finish series box. This particular bottle is Batch no. 18-04, number 4606. It was actually a great value at $99.99, considering the three 750ml bottles would total $225. I sampled all three consecutively: Cognac, Madeira, and Sherry. Tasted neat in a Glencairn glass at home. The nose features notes of candied orange peel, astringent oak, subtle baking spices, and sweet grape must. The taste is richer and less astringent, with apple and cloves appearing over sweet vinous notes, accompanied by lingering orange peel and spices. It's tasty. Sampled on 1/30/2020.