I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve Bourbon

This Bourbon was sampled at the lovely Stitzel-Weller distillery. It presents as a medium-bodied Kentucky Bourbon with moderate legs and a pale amber hue. Initially, caramel and toffee were detected on the aroma. After some patience, it evolved to reveal more woody and spicy characteristics. I perceived damp pine wood, wood shavings mingled with mint, dill, pepper, and lime. The taste is more focused on lime and orange, accompanied by pine wood and nutmeg, and a hint of smoke. Following a neat tasting, a few drops of water were added, which enhanced the orange notes on the nose and provided a more extended finish with faint vanilla. It's a decent Bourbon overall, lacking the typical Kentucky warmth and not overly influenced by a Cabernet Sauvignon finish.

Nose: sugary and ripe. A whisper of the cabernet is present. Taste: undeniably fruity. Not bright citrus, but deep berry notes. A quick burn at first, then a pleasant finish. It's good, but not overwhelmingly complex. It's not a "slight" in the way one might think, but rather tasty and easy-drinking. A fantastic starting point for bourbon drinkers.

I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve evokes the essence of a distinguished gentleman's whiskey from over a century ago. Notes of leather, oak, pipe tobacco, caramel, and baking spices emerge to delight the senses. The entry is sweet, featuring caramel, stone fruit, and oak. The finish offers baking spices and vanilla. It's first-class all the way.

Without having any of their regular products to compare, it's hard to say how much the Cabernet influences things. Overall, it's a mild, typical Bourbon, maybe a little sweeter and with a hint of that Cabernet fruitiness. Very easy to drink straight.

The cabernet cask is very evident and stands out towards the end. However, as is typical with 90 proof spirits, the finish is brief and leaves something to be desired. Overall, a respectable offering from the creators at Stitzel-Weller.

This is the second bottle of the Cabernet Cask I've had; this one is slightly more wine-forward than the cinnamon notes I detected in the first bottle. I'll observe how it evolves over time. It's still a delightful drink for sipping at $50.