TX Straight Bourbon Cognac Cask Finish

A gift from my father-in-law for our anniversary, which is certainly the type of present I favor regardless of the occasion. I recall my first encounter with TX bourbon years ago when I was beginning my spirit tasting journey, and I found it to be among the sweetest bourbons I had ever tasted. I didn't find it particularly amazing, but I was drawn back to its inherent sweetness, something other distilleries struggled to match. Now, with more distilleries and a wider array of flavor profiles available than ever before, I still consider classic TX bourbon to be one of the top three sweetest expressions for a relatively young bourbon. It's great for comparing against a spicy rye-based bourbon to help distinguish between sweet and spicy nuances in bourbon. The barrel finishing series offers an enjoyable way to explore those foundational bourbon flavors, especially since modifications to maintain the brand's identity are limited. Among the three available barrel-finished products from this distillery, I was most eager to try the port version and least interested in the sherry one, so this falls nicely in the middle. The proof is slightly insufficient to fully appreciate and analyze all the flavors from a secondary barrel, though it's high enough for the influence to be noticeable compared to the classic bourbon. I've never been fond of unspecified age statements (whether for the base spirit or the finishing period) on bottles, particularly when a second cask is involved. The "2023" bottling date creates a disconnect from the personal aspect of the distillery, especially since this is the only barrel-finished variant using a base spirit aged for only two years with no disclosed timeline. Nevertheless, I am intrigued by Texas's approach to barrel-finished whiskey. The color is quite dark given the very young age, with the caramel-walnut hue likely due to the longest barrel finishing period among this distillery's barrel-finished variants. The straightforward notes of sweet corn and cracked wheat lead the aroma (but are quite immature due to the short aging period), yet the musty grape from the cognac complements them well. Subtle hints of cherry, coffee fruit, and honey are present in the moderately strong ethanol aroma. The body is thin but still possesses a certain bite, with initial tastes of honey and cherry, but it's not excessively sweet or fruity. The cherry evolves into a chocolate-covered cherry cordial flavor, and the proof causes a slight numbing sensation on the gums. This warmth, however, is confined to the gums, as the back of the mouth and throat perceive the soft wheat body. These same flavors persist for a considerable duration, with the extended finish introducing a subtle floral, honey, and yeasty note alongside the other elements. My primary concern was that the short aging period would result in aggressive corn and wheat flavors overpowering the cognac barrel notes. While this didn't occur, this reasonably enjoyable product would undoubtedly benefit from at least three to four more years of initial aging and an additional five to ten proof points. That said, the cognac is genuinely detectable and clearly distinct from the regular bourbon. Given the limited distribution and high cost, I would not repurchase this unless the aging and proof were improved as recommended, but if you are absolutely determined to explore what Texas and its ingredients can achieve, and desire something unique beyond the TX bourbon or blended whiskey, this is likely one of your top choices, assuming you also appreciate cognac.

The aroma presents red candy and floral fruitiness, likely from the cognac barrel's influence. It's almost like a fruity bourbon. Apple is immediately noticeable on the palate, settling into notes of cherry and bubble gum. There's a touch of that characteristic Texas earthiness throughout, but the overall impression from beginning to end is "red candy". I actually quite like it. This is my first time sampling this distillery's offerings since being disappointed, like many others, by their TX Blended.

Interesting overall. Not as good as the sherry finish and definitely not as good as the tawny port finish. It has a sweetness to it, but it's overwhelming. Same oakiness on the nose.

Sweetness from fruit.

Very smooth.