American

Bear Fight Orchard and Vine Review

Can apple brandy and wine casks transform a Kentucky bourbon into the perfect holiday dram? Bear Fight's ambitious new Orchard & Vine expression dares to find out.

OVERALL RATING

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Tasting Notes

About:

Next Century Spirits brand Bear Fight Whiskey has announced the launch of its new limited-edition expression, Orchard & Vine Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The seasonal whiskey, finished in Calvados and Port barrels, will be available from October 2025 across the U.S.

The new bottling is finished in casks that previously held Calvados, a French apple and pear brandy, and Port wine.

“With Orchard & Vine, we set out to create a bourbon that feels distinctly seasonal yet unmistakably Bear Fight,” said Anthony Moniello, CEO of Bear Fight Whiskey. He added: “The Calvados and Port barrel finishes add layers of crisp fruit and spice that make it exciting for whiskey enthusiasts while still approachable for casual drinkers.”

Bear Fight is a core brand for Raleigh-based Next Century Spirits, a company known for its patented finishing and filtering technology.
Appearance:
Dark golden brown, almost red in the bottle.
Nose:
Lighter nose, some dark dried fruits and some cherry, deep and sweet, some licorice/molasses – syrupy.
Palate:
Watery first feel then hit of black pepper, still smooth overall, some barrel notes – little of the deep sweetness of port but also toasted barrel, some dark cherry, sweet, develops to slight oily mouth feel.
Finish:
Medium/long warming finish, dark butterscotch, almost like pecan pie, almost some bitter notes.
Comments:
Some good complexity and change of flavor profile throughout the drink, maybe a little on the sweet/dark fruits for my preference, seems like it’d be a good winter drink or something to break out at a holiday get together. Next Century Spirits has crafted three cocktail recipes for this whiskey and their other products. I believe this whiskey is well suited to blend into a spirited winter beverage, providing some depth and winter spices that compliment a cocktail well.

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.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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