Barrell Craft Spirits (BCS) has introduced an 18-year whiskey finished in Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauternes barrels, the latest limited-edition release in its Black Label Series. The Louisville, Kentucky-based independent blender announced the new expression on March 26, 2026.
The release blends 18-year Kentucky whiskey finished in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels with Canadian whiskies aged 23 to 25 years finished in Sauternes barrels. The combination draws on two distinct wine-cask influences to shape the final liquid.
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According to the company, the Cabernet Sauvignon barrels bring “structure and dark-toned warmth,” while the Sauternes barrels add “a soft, golden richness.” Together, the finishes are said to create “an elegant, sophisticated whiskey with a long, measured finish.”
The whiskey was distilled in Kentucky and Canada before being blended and bottled in Kentucky at 125.24 proof. It is available for purchase online at barrellbourbon.com and through select retailers at a suggested retail price of $199.99 per 750ml bottle.
The Black Label Series serves as a platform for BCS to showcase what the company describes as “cutting edge blending methods and techniques.” Each release in the series is designed to highlight the blending team’s ability to combine disparate whiskey stocks and cask finishes into a cohesive product.
BCS was founded in 2013 and has built its reputation as an independent blender. The company sources aged whiskey and rum from various producers, then applies its own blending and finishing processes to create proprietary expressions.
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Its portfolio spans cask-strength small-batch and single-barrel releases under brands including Barrell Bourbon and Barrell Rye. The company’s products have earned recognition from major distilled spirits competitions and publications over the past decade.
Distribution for BCS products currently covers 49 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, the UK, South Korea, Ukraine, and Australia. The brand’s growing international footprint reflects a broader trend among American independent blenders seeking to expand beyond domestic markets.
Wine-cask finishing has become an increasingly popular technique across the whiskey category. Producers use former wine barrels — from Sherry and Port to Bordeaux varietals — to impart additional flavor complexity to aged spirits. The dual-finish approach used in this release, combining two different wine-cask types, represents a more intricate variation on the practice.
