Again when it debuted in 2015, 1792 Port End made a rapid splash and constructed a gradual popularity amongst collectors. That’s partially because of its (particularly on the time) exceptionally prolonged end of two full years in Port casks. Since then, the one in-house ending we’ve seen out of Barton 1792 Distillery was the Thomas S. Moore line, which appears to be on no less than a short lived pause.
Now, the Sazerac-owned distillery is again with a brand new completed whiskey, billed because the “first cask-finished expression to affix the everlasting 1792 portfolio.” 1792 Cognac Cask End begins with nearly the identical whiskey within the distillery’s small batch bourbon, then finishes it for no less than six months in ex-Cognac casks. In accordance with the model, these casks endure secondary maturation on the best, hottest flooring of Barton’s rickhouses, situations that encourage most barrel affect on the whiskey.
The ultimate expression is bottled at 95 proof and carries a urged retail worth of $38. Let’s see how this new, value-priced line extension holds up.
1792 Cognac Cask End Bourbon Overview
A primary sniff brings a fast hit of conventional bourbon notes: caramel, seasoned oak, and vanilla wafers, plus Sno-Caps chocolate candies. That early impression adjustments quickly, morphing into darkish grape skins and Swiss Miss scorching chocolate powder. Subsequent up comes boysenberry jam (an esoteric observe, to make certain), overripe orchard fruit, and decomposing wooden, all of which carry a candy funkiness that performs properly with the cocoa notes. Constructing round these scents comes extra seasoned oak, more and more dominant with time within the glass. Whereas it’s robust to assume the bourbon right here is especially outdated, the Cognac cask appears to play a type of (welcome) trickery right here, telegraphing wooden affect past the bottom liquid’s true age.
The early palate brings fruit custard in a number of flavors, notably plum and ripe inexperienced fig. Vanilla wafer and honeysuckle sweetness rapidly coat the palate and stick round by most sips. There’s additionally a thread of banana taste, although it’s extra akin to the compound conferring the flavour — isoamyl acetate — than your entire fruit correct. There’s much less grape right here than the nostril implies, and people Cognac casks appear to impart extra wooden sugars and tannins than aged brandy, particularly on the again and higher palates. Whereas the mouth really feel isn’t notably viscous, it will get the flavors throughout with out an excessive amount of of a rush. There’s actually a story right here, with outlined starting, center, and again palates.
The end is oak-forward with lingering flavors of each clove and walnut oils. A little bit Harmony grape juice meets caramel drizzle and tanned leather-based for a mid-length last act.
It’s can be all too straightforward to check this to heavy hitters from different Sazerac manufacturers. That’s a rigged recreation at greatest, and one we don’t must play right here. Ought to we really make a worth judgement — and I very a lot am — this is likely one of the higher sub-$40 bourbons to make a latest debut. For my cash, it’s a beautiful, accessible addition to the 1792 lineup — and it makes an excellent case for inclusion on any price range bar cart.
95 proof.
A- / $38 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
1792 Cognac Cask End Bourbon
USD38
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