Jefferson’s Reserve Old Rum Cask Finish A Bourbon Fit For A Pirate

Non-distilling producer Jefferson’s Bourbon, in recent times, has been moving well beyond the boundaries of just buying bourbon from others and immediately rebottling it under their brand. We’ve seen some interesting projects emerge from the mind of founder Trey Zoeller, be it Cabernet cask finishing, river boat aging or exposure to aging in different environments. Now Jefferson’s has returned to cask finishing yet again, unveiling its new Jefferson’s Reserve Old Rum Cask Finish.

Jefferson’s Reserve Old Rum Cask Finish, according to those behind the brand, took Kentucky straight bourbon that was originally aged for eight years and, in 2014, dumped it into old Gosling’s Family Reserve Old Rum barrels. It was then aged for an additional 15 months in these ex-rum barrels before being bottled at 90.2 proof recently.

“A couple of years ago, I was with Malcolm Gosling and tried his Old Gosling’s Family Reserve and thought it was fantastic,” said Zoeller in a prepared statement. “Not being a rum drinker, I poured a little Jefferson’s Reserve and topped it off with the Gosling’s Old Rum and loved it.  I immediately asked Malcolm if I could get a hold of his Old Family Reserve Rum cask.”

Part of the reason Zoeller might have liked what he tasted has to do with the history of the rum barrels themselves. They originally held bourbon for four years, followed by Gosling’s rum for an additional 16.

Plans call for Jefferson’s Reserve Old Rum Cask Finish to be available nationwide starting later in October for around $80 a bottle. Limited tasting notes from Jefferson’s on this release suggest a whiskey “with a deep caramel color and maple and banana flavors that shine in the finish. There is also a hint of spice from the rum that helps balance out the overall flavor profile.”