Whereas it’s predominantly related to cachaca or barrel-aged beers, just a few American distilleries (possibly quite a lot of) have experimented just lately with ending their whiskeys in Brazilian oak (additionally referred to as Amburana). None, nonetheless, has supplied such a luxe rendition as Kentucky’s Rabbit Gap. The distillery’s Founder’s Assortment, the place this newest providing is housed, is the tip high of the Rabbit Gap line, showcasing their rarest and incessantly their most unique whiskeys with wholesome costs to match; some, like this one, more healthy than others. For the newest version to this elite line, Rabbit Gap has blended a sourced 12-year-old bourbon and completed it for an unspecified period of time in these uncommon casks, that are notoriously difficult to work with given the massive, intense flavors they convey. Let’s see the way it all turned out.
The nostril is predictably daring, closely perfumed with Ceylon cinnamon, bergamot, cedar closet, and sticky vanilla pods. Because it opens candied ginger arrives and the aroma warms slightly, changing into nearly buttery like a Snickerdoodle contemporary from the oven and heavy on the baking spice. The palate is good and vivid and packed stuffed with vacation spices. Extra floral ginger root, Graham cracker, cardamom pods, and sandalwood give strategy to hotter notes of wealthy easy syrup and black tea with lemon. The oak feels prefer it ought to be punchier than it’s with all these dusty, darkish spices, particularly at cask energy, nevertheless it’s impressively balanced from sip to swallow with a protracted, heat end of chai spice and darkish caramels. Whereas I’ve but to discover each amburana-finished bourbon hitting the market, I can confidently say that is my favourite thus far. Price all that cheddar? That’s a debate for an additional day.
125.4 proof.
A- / $1100 / rabbitholedistillery.com
Rabbit Gap Founder’s Assortment Amburana
$1100
