Lonerider Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon

This tasting is going to be tough for me. I encountered the individual responsible for Lonerider a few years back at a food event in Raleigh, NC. He's a great person, and his small-batch beers are excellent. I particularly enjoy the Shotgun Betty hefeweizen. Someone gave me a small amount of the bourbon that was finished in a Sherry cask to try. The tastes, while not exceptional, aren't unpleasant. There are no strange notes or lingering bad finishes. The aroma and first sip present apple and other fruit notes, but nothing particularly noteworthy. The Sherry cask impact is evident, mellowing the flavors somewhat. I appreciate what this offers, but I have a couple of issues. This spirit is sourced. I grasp the "need" and I'm fine with it. It's finished and bottled locally, but why choose this one? It truly adds little to the selection. Furthermore, it's not a particularly cheap bottle either. For the price, I can get several of my preferred bottles (check my unbiased scores). I'm aware the people at Lonerider have confidence in their abilities and know how to make quality drinks. I'll just need to be patient and wait for their own distillate in a few years. This is why distillers like New Riff earn bonus points from me. Whenever you find Lonerider Shotgun Betty available at a bar, get a glass. It pairs especially well with bold dishes (like ribs, wings, etc.).

This is a sourced High Rye Bourbon that has undergone a Sherry Cask finish. It has a strawberry blonde appearance. The nose suggests youth with heat, spicy rye, young oak, and prominent sherry, giving it a floral and fruity, almost Scotch-like aroma. Consumed neat, the youth is evident: thin and hot, with slight oakiness, astringency, and spice. The sherry heavily influences the profile, masking other potential notes, though hints of apple and pear emerge with time. The finish is hot, with sherry, oak, and a tingling pepper coating. Adding a splash of water tames the nose's heat and brings fruit forward, but only slightly reduces the finish's heat. As a supporter of their beers and a fellow North Carolinian, I wanted to enjoy this more. There's potential, but the sourced whiskey appears quite young. It seems counterintuitive to go to such lengths to source a product that lacks significant age. I hope to revisit this in a few years for a potentially better experience.

It's very hot. The alcohol burn clearly indicates that whiskey is not their expertise. Beyond that, this is pretty much exactly what I was hoping for. The finish is almost entirely burn, but the palate has spicy, dark fruit flavors. Merry Christmas!

Young, harsh, and spicy. No distinct flavors besides cinnamon. It overpowers any mixed drink. You can find much better options for the $40 price point.

This bourbon offers more spice, beginning with cinnamon and anise, layered heavily with sherry. The finish is astringent, suggesting it could benefit from further barrel time.

The aroma is subtle, and the palate has a gentle texture. Hints of sherry cask aging emerge as a mild sweetness in the finish. A welcome departure from typical Kentucky bourbon.