Rabbit Hole Straight Bourbon Finished in PX Sherry Casks

The backstory of this whiskey is fantastic: a young person flees their country after it falls under the control of forces aligned with the Ayatollah Khomeni. They relocate to the United States and pursue a career as a PhD psychologist. They marry an American from Louisville, KY, also a psychologist, who introduces them to the world of bourbon. They become captivated. Years later, after a successful career in psychology, the founder establishes their own distillery in Kentucky! Regarding this particular bottling: there's a wine-like quality to the scent, suggesting it was finished in sherry or port casks. It has a generous alcohol content and a decent mouthfeel. Then, the oak emerges, creating a contrast with the sweet notes through a woodiness that doesn't quite integrate seamlessly – like an element standing out from a flow of flavors. The aroma after the initial taste is rich, sweet, and almost scotch-like. This bourbon certainly has character. After subsequent sips, the oak notes begin to blend harmoniously into the finish. What's surprising about this whiskey is that despite being PX finished, the aromas aren't as sweet as those found in the Belle Meade Sherry (Oloroso) Cask Finish. They aren't particularly nutty either. (Please inform me if my understanding of the differences is incorrect.) The PX dark fruits are present on the palate, but they don't quite deliver the same depth as those from Belle Meade. Nevertheless, it's a pleasant bourbon, considering its younger age – 6 years compared to 9 years. (Hopefully, older stock will become available in the future. With new ownership by Pernod Ricard, this is a likely possibility.) If you're exploring finished bourbons, this is a good starting point. While not as exceptionally good and sweet as Belle Meade, this one retains enough bourbon characteristics that you'll recognize its Kentucky origins (and the extra finish is a bonus). Thanks to a friend for the 50ml sample and introduction to a very fine craft distillery.

This is in the sherry-finished category of my finished bourbon comparison. It was Rabbit Hole versus Wild Turkey Revival, with the winner advancing to face Joseph Magnus. In a blind tasting, Wild Turkey Revival won. This is all for scientific purposes, as always. This was much closer than I anticipated. WT typically costs around $140, and Rabbit Hole around $70. I would love to claim this bourbon is half as good as WT, but that's not accurate. WT simply hit more positive notes and was slightly more complex. As for this one... The aroma smells of sugar and butter. The body has a genuinely good flavor. I detect watermelon, cherries, and the same buttery note from the aroma. The finish is somewhat disappointing for me, taking a distinctly bitter turn away from the body, fading out with walnuts and raw wood. This bourbon is quite interesting. When compared to WT, it offers good value for the price. Compared to other finished bourbons (like port-finished ones), not so much. Am I to believe that finishing in sherry barrels costs 50% more than port? Rabbit Hole, I can tell you're a young spirit. Overall, very tasty, I'm a fan, though it's not my absolute favorite, and I will likely purchase another one at some point. Is that fair? Edit: WT Revival won the Sherry bracket, defeating Joseph Magnus.

Roxanne: The aroma reminds me of damp laundry that's been left too long before washing. Fortunately, the flavor is much better. It's very woody with some sweetness, likely from sherry, but it's still a potent drink. Tom: It was like having a glass while watching a body burn in a bonfire. At least the wood wasn't hedge.

This is acceptable. I believe it is too expensive. Given that this is completed in PX barrels, I'm uncertain of my anticipation. It possesses a mildly sweet, grape-like aroma and flavor reminiscent of Cognac, but then concludes with something akin to a sour fruit remedy. Thus, I might genuinely enjoy this, but I would prefer a straightforward bourbon or a bottle of PX. It doesn't suit my palate.

Started neat, then added ice halfway. Nose: Immediately floral. Smells like fresh hay. Palate: Quite intricate and engaging to figure out. I'm getting blackberry jam, a red wine reduction, and toasted spice. Finish: Long-lasting with the grassy/hay aroma. Subtle spice returns as the ice melts. Overall: An entertaining experience due to its complexity and deeply integrated flavors.

The nose is mostly just alcohol with a hint of syrup and floral notes underneath. The palate is smooth, sweet, and rich with notes of syrup and baking spices. The finish is very smooth, with just a hint of spiciness lingering on the tongue.