Litchfield Port Cask Finish Bourbon

Nose - Strawberry, raisin, butterscotch, coffee, vanilla, dark chocolate, lime, black cherry, mint, clove, star anise, rich oak, with a mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste - Strawberry, ginger, lime, raisin, lemon zest, clove, star anise, butterscotch, cardamom, vanilla, cherry, cranberry, black pepper, bitter oak, with a moderate alcohol bite. The finish is medium length with flavors of candied red fruit, butterscotch, and baking spice. This specific bottling is a 10-year bourbon from MGP, finished by Litchfield in port casks, and bottled at 50% ABV. The nose prominently features red berries. In fact, it has the same citrusy berry note found in a bottle of Del Maguey Tobala mezcal I own. The high-rye bourbon notes are in the background, with some butterscotch, coffee, star anise, and baking spices present. The palate echoes those same red berry notes with a strong dose of citrus and some bitterness on the mid-palate leading into the finish. This is certainly a port-finished bourbon, and one of the better ones I've sampled. The red berry notes are quite appealing, but the sourness and bitterness on the palate hold it back for me. Nevertheless, I would happily drink this most days, and the flavor profile seems especially suitable for the holiday season. A big thank you to a friend for the generous sample!

Visited the distillery today. Had a great time sampling whiskey and gained new insights into the distilling process. Tasted several of their offerings, including their Port Cask Finish... and purchased a small bottle to try at home. Smell: Didn't perceive much from the aroma at home. It's as if the time in the Port barrels negated the typical aroma I expect from straight bourbons. Taste: Spicy, slightly sweet, oak. I detected the "Port" character more during the distillery tasting than from my home pour. Finish: Short. This was my least preferred of the five I sampled today. Not bad, not exceptional. However, I wish I had more because I find I discover more with subsequent tastings as more notes tend to reveal themselves over time. More reviews of other distillery whiskeys to follow...

Glass: Glencairn, allowed to rest for 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Notes of apricot, plum, and raisin. Palate: Cinnamon red hots with some overripe fruit. Finish: Long duration with moderate heat. Splash: No new flavors emerge. Overall: Rated 8/10 - Considering it's 92 proof, the finish is unexpectedly long. The port barrel finish is noticeable, but a slightly higher proof would elevate it to a 9/10.

Banana taffy and red wine notes. The palate is balanced with grains, dough, and port. A touch of welcome heat.

Christmas, baking spice, dried fruit, oak on the mid-palate, thick, oily

It's smooth, but the flavor is lacking.