Breckenridge PX Sherry Cask Finish

I was quite surprised by this. Given Colorado's high altitude and cold climate, I expected this young spirit (I think it's less than 5 years old) to be harsh and muddled. However, the PX finishing seems to smooth it out nicely. Last night, I brought this to a friend's house for dinner. Since I hadn't tried it before, I hoped it wouldn't be a disappointment. The nose and palate are very dessert-like, with creamy notes, raisins, and sweet fruits. It made for an ideal post-dinner drink. I believe I purchased this years ago for $50. At that price, it's an excellent, affordable way to explore less common Colorado whiskeys, as Stranahan's is the well-known one.

A complex Bourbon Whiskey. It is primarily aged for at least three years in new, #3 char American white oak barrels, then gets an additional four to six months in Pedro Ximenez casks. It starts aromatically with sherry, vanilla, and orange blossoms; develops a rich and creamy character with fig, raisin, toffee, vanilla, baking spices, almond paste, licorice, and orange marmalade; and finishes long and complexly.

Flaviar sample box "Spirit of the Rockies" December, 2022 Sample C Appearance/Color: The darkest of the three, but seems relatively light in viscosity Smell: Reminiscent of carpet cleaner from a specific apartment building or entering a new structure Initial Taste: Bourbon notes of vanilla, molasses, caramel, and chocolate are present but notably subdued Lingering: Dark chocolate and sweet notes remain Score: 3 (the best of the trio, would not purchase)

Vanilla and orange with spice on the nose. The taste features orange zest, a hint of spice and pepper, oak (bark), and a very cherry finish with brown sugar sweetness. The finish is quick and has a sharp sweet cherry. There's an almost astringent bitterness that keeps building. It's comparable to the bitter component of pecans. Overall, it's like drinking an Old Fashioned with a bitter pecan finish.

We had a private after-hours tour at the distillery and tried all but one of their products. This was my absolute favorite. I already liked their bourbon, and the PX Sherry casks enhance its smoothness and add a pleasant fruity aroma.

A wonderful syrupy texture comes from the highly viscous dessert wine casks it was aged in. This bourbon immediately presents sweet licorice and vanilla, with the latter present throughout the experience. Strong peppery spice is noticeable in the middle, leading to a bitter almond finish.