South Carolina’s Excessive Wire Distilling is understood for numerous brandies and Revival Rye, however its greatest declare to fame is undoubtedly Jimmy Pink Bourbon. The home model whiskey is distilled from 100% Jimmy Pink corn, an heirloom grain with kernels the shade of ripe pomegranate seeds.
Over time, Excessive Wire has expanded the Jimmy Pink line to incorporate bottled-in-bond and seven 12 months expressions, along with numerous finishes using peach brandy and sherry casks. However their newest twist is a doozy, no less than on paper. Three year-old Jimmy Pink Bourbon was completed in Matthiasson Napa Valley Pink Wine barrels (cabernet casks) for a full 4 years earlier than bottling, on this case at a strong 121.2 proof. These secondary barrels had been 4 separate 225 liter Taransaud French oak casks.
The venture is partly a collaboration with the Southern Smoke Basis (SSF). The muse is a nonprofit offering monetary assist for meals and beverage employees experiencing hardship, together with these in want of psychological well being care. Bottles from one cask had been made accessible to SSF Bottle Membership members, who make an annual $1,500 donation for the best to buy 4 unique releases per 12 months. Two different casks of the completed bourbon are distributed via Seelbach’s.
Like all Jimmy Pink expressions, this bourbon is distilled from 100% Jimmy Pink corn and makes use of a candy mash course of. The bottle we tasted is from batch quantity 1437. Let’s dive in.
Excessive Wire Jimmy Pink Bourbon Completed in Cabernet Casks Evaluation
The nostril begins off with a contact of recognizable grain and corn oil, which can be acquainted to repeat drinkers of Jimmy Pink Bourbon. However scents rapidly and forcefully layer on high of the grain, with a mix of darkish fruit, dry chocolate, tart rhubarb preserves, and closely spiced apple butter. That fruit particularly builds with time within the glass, evolving from crimson grape and golden raisins to tart cherry, raspberry, and pomegranate juice; apple butter stays pronounced and among the many most standout notes. Based mostly on aromas alone, it’s a charming, multifaceted construct atop a base of Jimmy Pink Bourbon.
A primary sip brings a spike of ethanol warmth, one which’s rapidly changed by cherry cordial (although the chocolate takes a particular backseat to the fruit). That’s adopted by a tiny pop of artful, funky earthiness, which I’m guessing is — no less than partly — one other results of the 100% corn mashbill. Whereas that may typically be an overwhelming flaw, right here, the earthen part segues effectively into candy dessert flavors on the midpalate: apple strudel, cherry cobbler, peppermint jelly, and strawberry rhubarb tart. Hefty spice joins across the similar time, just like what one would possibly anticipate from a French oak end.
Unsurprisingly, we’re left with a prolonged end someplace midway between fruit and spice. Lingering wooden spice, white pepper, and Szechuan peppercorns leads into cinnamon apple butter and a closing style of extraordinarily darkish chocolate.
From nostril to complete, it’s one of many extra enjoyable craft merchandise I’ve tried in current months — and to my palate, essentially the most standout Excessive Wire product so far.
121.2 proof.
A / $100
Excessive Wire Jimmy Pink Bourbon Completed in Cabernet Casks
USD100
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