Bourbon

Bourbon Review: Bardstown Bourbon Phifer Pavitt Reserve Bourbon

We review Bardstown Bourbon Phifer Pavitt Reserve Bourbon, a nine year old, sourced Tennessee bourbon that's been finished for over a year and a half in ex-California Cabernet Sauvignon barrels.

OVERALL RATING

9
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Bardstown Bourbon Phifer Pavitt Reserve

Tasting Notes

About:

9-year-old, 110.2-proof George Dickel bourbon finished 19 months in Phifer Pavitt Reserve cabernet sauvignon barrels; finished cask strength proof of 107. Mashbill: Corn 84%, Rye 8%, Malted Barley 8%. SRP of $124.99 for a 750ml bottle.
Appearance:
Gleaming deep copper to auburn; swirling produced thin legs
Nose:
Caramel, honey, milk chocolate, raspberry jam and oak
Palate:
Toasted oak, raisins, dark chocolate, currants, cooked cherries, sweet corn and caramel; mouthfeel is lush, finish is short, but not unpleasantly so. Someone needs to make a candy out of this.
Finish:
Comments:
This is an outstanding whiskey created for thoughtful drinkers who want to sip, dwell and discuss. (But since we were treated to decadent New York sours using this whiskey with a Phifer Pavitt Reserve cabernet sauvignon float, cocktail it if you like and ignore those who say you shouldn’t. I don’t recall a better example of that drink.) This is one of the best examples of a wine cask-finished whiskey I’ve tasted, a sipper whose complexity lies in the unity of a superb wine and a delicious bourbon. I can only hope there are more iterations of this quality level to come.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Steve Coomes

Steve Coomes is an award-winning journalist and author with a specialization in whiskey and food. Throughout his extensive 30-year career, he has contributed his expertise to various national trade and consumer publications, including notable names such as USA Today, Southern Living, Delta Sky Magazine, Nation's Restaurant News, Pizza Today, Restaurant Business, Bourbon +, and American Whiskey magazine. His literary accomplishments include the 2013 book "Country Ham: A Southern Tradition of Hogs, Salt & Smoke" and the 2020 publication "The Rebirth of Bourbon: Building a Tourism Economy in Small-Town USA." Beyond his writing pursuits, Steve also shares his passion by leading diverse food and spirits pairing experiences, ranging from large-scale events to intimate gatherings and virtual sessions.

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