Jefferson's Reserve Old Rum Cask Finish Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

The idea for the old rum cask finish came from an experiment that founder Trey Zoeller attempted while imbibing with Malcolm Gosling, of Gosling’s Black Seal Rum. Zoeller topped some Jefferson’s Reserve with a splash of Gosling’s Old Rum—and thus begat a marriage between Kentucky and Bermuda.

Jefferson’s Reserve Old Rum Cask Finish is made from Kentucky straight bourbon aged for eight years and then aged for an additional 15 months in Gosling’s Family Reserve Old Rum barrels that had held rum for 16 years.

Appearance: Shiny toasted almond.
Nose: There’s no pepper or heat in the nose at all. It’s definitely got that sugary rummy quality. Caramelized sugar, butter, fresh crusty bread.
Palate: Flavor-forward at the start with marshmallow and fondant, but that dissipates fairly quickly. So very smooth. It tastes like drinking a very fine rum, and not a whiskey. Some may turn their noses up at this, but I don’t. It’s likely not a whiskey you’re going to make a drink out of—but at this price point, only spendthrifts would. But it’s certainly worth your time. The sweetness isn’t overpowering, and there is still that savory note the whiskey brings. It really is a nice mix between the chew of good bourbon and the delicacy of not-too-sweet dessert wine.