Thomas S. Moore Chardonnay Cask Finished Bourbon

The aroma offers a classic bourbon scent, with little indication of Chardonnay. Corn husk, caramel, honey, a touch of rye/dill spice, and vanilla are present. The flavor reveals the tartness of the Chardonnay. The initial taste is a confusing blend of Chardonnay and bourbon. The tartness lingers, but eventually, notes of candy corn and spice emerge, though the Chardonnay's sourness persists too long. Diluting it with water mellows the spirit, but the sour Chardonnay element overshadows the other flavors. The finish is of moderate length, with the sour white grape notes of the Chardonnay continuing to dominate. Rye spice attempts to surface but is surprisingly suppressed by the Chardonnay's tartness. It's remarkable how a white wine like Chardonnay can so significantly impact a high-rye bourbon. This might be an acquired preference or simply a failed attempt. It doesn't work for me. However, I'll experiment by mixing it with other bourbons. I'll share any successful blends I discover. General Assessment: C- (Less than average)

Alright, I wasn't really looking forward to these, but it seems like there's some interest and I've heard this was one of the better ones to try. My expectations are low. Nose - Sweet scents like pears and apples, more than expected from a young, high-rye, a bit intense but not a well-made bourbon. I have to be upfront, I really don't want to drink this based on the smell. Taste - Initially, it's what I appreciate about 1792, with vanilla and some nice fruity bourbon distillate, perhaps some lighter fruits from the wine, and then it's harsh and unpleasant on the finish. You experience some interesting shifts and flavors. I detect a cool minty sensation on the finish, similar to wintergreen gum. Adding water doesn't tame that spicy kick on the finish. I don't understand what's going on with this one, but I genuinely do not like it. I believe these folks are producing some good bourbon, but it seems like they are just obtaining all the quality ingredients elsewhere or, even worse, they simply lack competent staff for their own blending. 1 star. It's drinkable and you might like the intensity. But I definitely won't buy it again.

It's distinctive and suits my taste. I've consumed a lot of wine and can say I dislike most Chardonnays. However, knowing Chardonnays, I was curious about this potential pairing. The barrel aging is most evident in the aroma and the finish. The taste takes you on a progression from light, airy, and crisp at the start to a typical bourbon middle, then abruptly to a Chardonnay finish. This finish can be described as sweet with a touch of cinnamon to apricot, ending with a dry white wine oak lingering sensation. I have to concur that the barrel aging doesn't enhance the traditional sweet richness of a bourbon like a port finish (consider Angel's Envy), but rather creates a pleasant and satisfying new creation. Furthermore, to bring out more of the bourbon's sweetness in the taste and finish, add a little water or let it dilute on ice. In any case, this is a flavor journey that has earned a place in my collection.

A companion acquired all three TSM bottlings (Port, Cabernet, and Chardonnay finishes), so I will be rating them sequentially. This particular pour, the chardonnay, was a profound letdown. To be clear, I'm not a significant admirer of chardonnay, particularly the 'buttery' style, but it wasn't the buttery notes that were off-putting here. Beginning with the aroma, it offered a 'redemption' for this whiskey – fairly intricate, but heavily influenced by oak... plenty of medium fruit, a mild sweetness – it sparks interest. Then, upon tasting, a very strong astringency is present from the outset... almost like a hydrogen peroxide mouthwash. I realize this sounds unusual, but I sampled it on a different evening with a clear palate, and the experience was similar. Abundant oak... this merely transformed what might have been a decent base bourbon into something nearly undrinkable for a $70 bottle.

NOSE: Oak, caramel, slightly herbal baking spice, dried dark fruit, vanilla frosting, a bit of nuts and peanut brittle. The spice slowly grows bolder as it opens and brings a bit more fruit with it. I can’t say I’m really getting much in the way of wine notes on the aroma and it just reminds me of their bourbon. PALATE: Oak, caramel, baking spice, dried grapey fruit, vanilla, roasted nuts and a slightly earthy herbalness. There’s the wine. It really pops on the palate of this Thomas S. Moore Bourbon Chardonnay Casks, but I don’t get a nice, integrated, delivery. The wine and the bourbon are fighting more than they’re complementing. FINISH: Medium -> Grapey sweet, oak, nuts, and a slightly metallic off-note fades to a slightly off wine note.

The aroma is like grape soda, with notes of grapes, sugar, raspberry, mint, and caramel. The body has the texture of gummy bears. I suspect this is a Jefferson's product. It also has hints of melon, cherry, and leather. This is the most enjoyable aspect of the drink. The finish is dry wine. There's a slight spiciness on the sides of the tongue, but this is where the Chardonnay truly dominates. It's peculiar to transition from those sweet notes to the dryness of the finish. This is unusual. I prefer it less than their port finish, but I believe its Chardonnay finish is more compelling than the port finish in a market already saturated with port-finished spirits. It offers intriguing characteristics, but I can't say I enjoy it. It's drinkable and interesting, but I won't repurchase it.