Darkish Arts Whiskey Home was based in 2023 by Macaulay Minton and David Peet with a transparent deal with mixing, re-barreling, and secondary maturation by way of non-traditional strategies. Minton serves because the model’s Chief Alchemist, a title that displays greater than aptitude. Alchemy, an historical philosophical and proto-scientific custom, sought transformation above all else, most famously the elevation of base metals into gold and the creation of an elixir able to perfecting life itself. At its core, alchemy represents purification by way of change, the refinement of the bizarre into one thing rarer and extra full.
That ethos defines Darkish Arts Whiskey Home. Slightly than distilling in-house, the model sources whiskey from choose distilleries and reshapes it by way of mixing and ending, aiming to raise present spirits into one thing better than their origins. Minton typically frames this pursuit as a seek for liquid gold, an concept that informs each the inventive course of and the completed consequence.
Within the winter of 2026, Darkish Arts launched Batch BWTH2 of the Mix of Candy & Bitter Mash Straight Bourbon Completed in a Honey Cask. The title carries intention. Darkish Arts holds the federally registered trademark for the phrase “Candy & Bitter Mash,” a time period the model coined to offer readability for shoppers whereas signaling blends that exist solely by way of Darkish Arts’ imaginative and prescient. This launch unites two totally different fermentation kinds, two mashbills, and two states of origin.
The candy mash part was distilled in Danville, Kentucky, utilizing a mashbill of 64% corn, 24% rye, and 12% malted barley. It matured for greater than 5 years in barrels from Unbiased Stave Firm. The bitter mash part was distilled by MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, with a mashbill of 75% corn, 21percentrye, and 4% malted barley. That bourbon aged for greater than 8 years, additionally in Unbiased Stave Firm barrels. Whereas the barrel mix ratio is near equal, the marginally fuller youthful barrels end in a touch greater proportion of the candy mash bourbon.
After mixing, the whiskey was transferred into barrels that beforehand held honey, the place it rested for an undisclosed interval. The consequence brings collectively differing fermentation philosophies, contrasting mashbills, and a crowning glory that provides one other layer of transformation. The query stays whether or not Darkish Arts has achieved its alchemical purpose. Is that this liquid gold, or merely one other experiment alongside the trail towards it?
Darkish Arts Candy & Bitter Mash Bourbon Completed in a Honey Cask Overview
The opening aroma facilities on floral beeswax relatively than the expectation of thick, sticky honey. That beeswax observe carries by way of the complete nosing expertise, joined by dried apricot, caramelized banana, and dried orange peel. Every aspect is clearly outlined with out crowding the others. For somebody who shortly loses curiosity in honey-cask bourbons that lean too closely into sweetness, this profile is straight away interesting. Many examples within the class really feel saturated with honey from the beginning; this one clearly doesn’t. In reality, it presents the lightest honey presence on the nostril that I’ve encountered on this type, and the result’s way more fascinating.
The palate follows the identical path. Wildflower honey seems sparingly, nearer to a short contact on the tongue than an indulgent glob. Candied lemon peel brings brightness, retaining the sweetness in verify. Because the whiskey strikes throughout the palate, ripe pear and sultana take form alongside a medium-thick mouthfeel. Nothing feels extreme or syrupy. The steadiness right here is superb, providing sufficient element to fulfill skilled drinkers whereas remaining instantly satisfying for these earlier of their whiskey exploration.
The end returns to beeswax with a faint observe of peach, then fades into vanilla and candy tea. The closing moments really feel clear, leaving no sense of heaviness or fatigue.
Previous to tasting this launch, the 2025 Starlight Honey Reserve stood as the most effective honey-cask bourbon I had tried. In January 2026, at BourbonCon in Lexington, Kentucky, I used to be capable of style Starlight Honey Reserve alongside Darkish Arts Candy & Bitter Mash Bourbon Completed in a Honey Cask. Each clearly sit on the high of the class, however Darkish Arts earns a slight benefit. I’m acquainted with the long-standing status of Belle Meade Honey Cask End Bourbon, although I’ve by no means tasted it. I’m additionally conscious of the keenness surrounding the 2024 launch of Kentucky Nectar Bourbon, one other Danville-distilled honey-cask launch, which I personally discovered far too candy, maybe because of the mixture of the honey and sweeter wheated mashbill.
For anybody looking for the strongest honey-cask bourbon at the moment out there, Darkish Arts needs to be on the high of the record, with Starlight Honey Reserve shut behind. Worth could affect that call, as Starlight is obtainable at $65 whereas Darkish Arts sits at $100, however when it comes to easy high quality and pleasure, Darkish Arts justifies its place.
108.98 proof.
A / $100
Darkish Arts Candy & Bitter Mash Bourbon Completed in a Honey Cask
USD100
Visited 16 instances, 14 go to(s) at present
