The Barton 1792 Distillery, located in Kentucky, is owned by Sazerac and sometimes sits in the shadow of sibling and fellow Sazerac owned Buffalo Trace. Some amazing bourbons come out of here, however, as we’ve chronicled over the years, and now, in a move to fire up its first “ultra-premium brand,” the folks there have unveiled the Thomas S. Moore Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey range.
The new Thomas S. Moore Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys, according to those behind them, consist of Barton 1792 bourbons with a high rye mash bill that have been finished for an extended period of time in a range of secondary cask types that previously matured various wines or spirits from around the world. Plans call for this to be an ongoing series of limited edition offerings, varying yearly with the finishing casks chosen. For 2020 the cask types chosen are a Port Finish, Chardonnay Finish and Cabernet Sauvignon finish.
Specifics from the distillery indicate that its bourbon spends at least five years in typical new charred American oak barrels. This is followed by the cask finishing, which is said to run, on average, anywhere from two to five years. This extended cask-finishing method, it was noted, “results in elegant whiskeys, each displaying a distinct flavor profile, reflecting nuances of both the bourbon and the finishing cask.”
With regards to each of the limited edition expressions and what one might find in terms of taste, what follows are some limited official tasting notes from the distillery.
- Thomas S. Moore Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Casks is described as having a taste that is soft and sweet, with subtle hints of vanilla and baking spices. This whiskey is 98.9 proof.
- Thomas S. Moore Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Chardonnay Casks has a rich taste, with notes of citrus, tropical fruit, and buttery oak. This whiskey is 97.9 proof.
- Thomas S. Moore Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Cabernet Sauvignon Casks has a bold taste, with notes of dark fruit, caramel, and vanilla. This whiskey is 95.3 proof.
Each of these bourbons is presented in what’s described as “tall sophisticated bottles feature imagery that pays homage to the legacy of Thomas S. Moore. Each label displays the image of a racehorse standing tall, honoring one of Moore’s earliest whiskey brands, Belle of Nelson, named for the thoroughbred who won the Kentucky Oaks in 1878.”
Now, at this point, you might be wondering to yourself who this Moore person is. Thomas S. Moore played an extremely important role in the history of the Barton 1792 brand. As described by them, “in 1889, Thomas S. Moore built the Distillery known today as Barton 1792 Distillery. Moore was an early pioneer in Bardstown, recognized today as the Bourbon Capital of the World. Leading up to Prohibition, Moore established a constantly evolving whiskey empire, growing his humble operation into a powerhouse distillery, filling hundreds of barrels of whiskey a day. Business boomed until The 18th Amendment forced the Distillery to cease production in 1920.
“Today this namesake line of bourbons intends to honor Thomas S. Moore, an innovative bourbon pioneer.”
Plans call for the Moore bourbons to price around $70 per 750 ml bottle and to be available nationwide. As previously mentioned, the additional cask-finished releases will be unveiled every year in the fall.
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