McFarlane's Reserve 12 Year Finished in Cabernet Sauvignon Barrels

Received this as a Christmas present. It's a Total Wine brand and quite expensive at $99.99. This is a 12-year-old sourced bourbon, finished in Cabernet Sauvignon casks, with a marketing tale about a whiskey tax shooting during Washington's presidency. The spirit itself is decent, but the price is outrageous. It offers abundant rich red fruits and robust spicy oak, with a coconut milk characteristic present all the way through. Tobacco and tannins provide the finish. It's a bit thin, but the flavors are enjoyable. The Cabernet barrel finish is an intriguing addition, and the bourbon is acceptable, but the high cost is a dealbreaker. I'm enjoying this bottle, but I won't buy it again. This bourbon earns 3 stars, with a significant deduction for its value... 75/100.

A refined, Kentucky Straight Bourbon crafted by incorporating wheat into the typical corn & barley mash bill; alongside Kentucky limestone filtered water. It matures for 12 years in American oak casks before resting for 9 to 12 months in Cabernet barrels. It begins aromatically with hints of grain, red fruits, spices & wood; followed by a mellow profile adding notes of wheat, corn, vanilla & cranberry; culminating in a mildly dry, medium-length finish with Sherry & oak essences. October 2021 / August / November 2022 / October 2024

Similar to the 13-year expression. Possibly slightly less intense, but very minor differences, as expected. Aromas of red wine barrel, grape, berry, vanilla, cedar, char, and caramel. Flavors of red wine barrel, grapes, vanilla, and pepper. A sweet conclusion.

Enjoyable on its own with a hint of Cabernet. A bit expensive at $100, but I feel it's justified.

Received a small complimentary sample at the local Total Wine.