The well-known California winery Fetzer Vineyards first released its bourbon barrel-aged Zinfandel called 1000 Stories back in 2014. The bourbon barrels used by winemakers are therefore likely single-use vessels, more aggressively charred than traditional wine-aging barrels. It would make for a fun experiment to ask someone to taste without showing the label, to see if they pick up the bourbon flavors. Of all the bourbon barrel-aged wines I tried, this was the sweetest. Wines might not be in stock at every listed store and might be sold at additional stores. It wasn’t the first time that American winemakers had used bourbon barrels in winemaking, however. Cooper & Thief Red Blend is a dark and jammy red wine blend loaded with bourbon-inspired flavors and aromas. The used barrels—selected from a renowned Kentucky distillery—exude notes of vanilla and dried herbs, hinting at the fine bourbon that once graced these casks. I could only find four, two aged bourbon barrels, one in an Irish whiskey barrel and one in a Scotch barrel. While bourbon barrels are slightly taller and skinnier than standard oak barriques, increasing the wine-to-wood ratio, the alleged difference in flavor and richness comes from the fact that bourbon barrels are legally required to be made from new, heavily toasted American oak. The leading note is how smooth and delicious this is amid smoke screen of bourbon barrel … We have made that wine every year for 10 years now.”, “We noticed some wineries out on the West Coast were making reds with bourbon barrels, and that stimulated me to try it,” he explained. Bourbon barrel-aging effects noted by winemakers include caramel, maple, vanilla, brown sugar, sweet spice flavors, and, allegedly, a subtle bourbon character. And, of course, I love wine. The palate is smooth and elegant, followed by a lengthy finish. Here, the bourbon notes are an accent, like the squeeze of lemon that brings a dish to life without making it “lemony.” The wine is a bit sweet, with aromas of dried plums. Some, such as Bending Branch, Steele and Gnarly Head’s 1924 Double Black, were well-made wines. “So with bourbon barrels, you should expect that smooth sweetness of a bourbon.”. Young speaks in a deep Southern drawl, with frequent asides interrupting his train of thought, but a good storyteller’s knack for getting back to the point. Our bourbon barrel aged red wine is fermented in American stainless steel and then aged for 3 months in Kentucky bourbon barrels. ABV: 14.5 percent. Prices are approximate. The result is a bold, flavorful wine, unlike any other Cabernet. The barrels also add alcohol. Buy Online. Availability information is based on distributor records. Best of all, it’s dry. Bourbon barrel aging offers aromas of fire toasted oak, baking spice, caramel and loose-leaf tobacco. December 14th, 2019 By Loren Sonkin. Available in 75cl bottles, distributed in the UK by Terlato Wines International. While the bourbon-like alcohol burn may distinguish it from a standard barrel-aged wine, it isn’t necessarily a positive attribute. Distributed by the winery in Texas, available elsewhere online from the winery. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. “We don’t want it to taste like bourbon, just to add a bit of complexity.”. While natural and minimalist winemaking may get a lot of buzz, another trend is taking over American wine shops, liquor stores, and grocery shelves. Style. But this Belgian-style ale—aged in American and French oak red wine barrels—is a delicious change of pace from many of the bourbon-focused barrel brews on the market. # Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Zinfandel, California. This is another of the bourbon barrel aged wines. 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