u/Alternative_Car5193

I see these from time to time while out hunting, and I'm always a sucker for great glass and/or label... but the prices always deter me. Anyone have any experience here?

This took me six months, and inevitably a hard trade... but i finally snagged one of my own.

I had to make quite a little trip to grab this, and considering 1) all the positive buzz about 2026 release, and 2) how fast they were disappearing off of Oregon shelves... I decided to grab the two they had (at $115 ea.) and ensure myself a backup to last until next year's release.

I don't feel too bad because it was a podunk (?) little backwater liquor store, and I don't think anyone there would really appreciate what it is anyway. The group photo will come tomorrow.

Okay... I've resisted this long... but now I'm just gonna havta! 🤣🤣🤣

Tonight's neck pour brings us a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, with 2 distinct blended mash bills, finished in Cabernet Sauvignon Casks. Distilled and bottled by Lux Row in Bardstown, KY. 96 Proof, sour mash process.

Mash bill(s):

Wheated Mash Bill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley;

Ryed Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley. Unknown blend ratio.

Rested 15 minutes in a KBT glass. Amber/orange color. Super long legs... just sort of clings to the glass forever.

On the nose: dark fruits, caramel. Pleasant, expected wheated aroma.

On the palette: actually? Cabernet Sauvignon. And cinnamon, peanuts, a little white pepper. But yeah, as a Cab fan, I can easily pick up the wine cask. Very enjoyable twist.

On the finish: short, sweet, no fury. Not much hug, but enjoyable what's there. A little oak and sour note on the very back end. Rye pepper lingers on the tongue.

Final thoughts: this is a nice pour. Definitely more enjoyable and "what I expected" than the I.W. Harper Cab finish that I bought a few months back. The Cab is right up front on the sip, but not overpowering, and integrates well with what would otherwise be a pretty standard (but good) wheated expression. In other words... very complimentary. Strange how the Rye side of the mash bill doesn't show up till the finish, but maybe that's by design.

Meaningless Amateur Score: 6.5/10. This is enjoyable, sips easy neat, and will probably make an excellent old fashioned. Even with the dual mash bills, this will stay on my wheaties shelf. Beautiful, heavy base glass as well. All in all, a satisfying purchase.

Tonight's pour after a long day, long week, loss of my (not) upcoming vacation, etc.. I felt like I needed something solid, and I've been itching to try this since I bought it. Man... this does not disappoint!

On the nose: incredible. Red 🍒 🍒, vanilla, enjoyable, integrated ethanol.

On the palette: tasty. Citrus up front, cinnamon, maybe some toast. Not oily, but certainly not thin or watery either. There's other flavors there I can't pick out, but it's all very tasty. Damn tasty!

On the way down: warm. Wonderful Kentucky hug. Finish is fairly quick, but carries on with the cinnamon and gets to some oak and peanut shell dust.

Final thoughts: this is just damn good juice. As part of the Budget HoF I bought, it was expected to punch above it's weight, and damn if doesn't do that very thing. I love it when I try something new, and know within the first few sniffs and sips that it will earn permanent residence in my collection.

Meaningless Score: 8 out of 10. Hard to believe this costs less than thirty bucks. Color me impressed.