Bourbon

Lux Row Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finish

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Lux Row Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finish
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in PX Sherry Casks

56% ABV
$50
Website
Lux Row Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finish
We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us samples to review.

What the Distillery Says

Lux Row Distillers makes Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finish available nationwide

ST. LOUIS (Jan. 28, 2025) – Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers is expanding its Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey family with the national release of Lux Row Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finish. The new release is crafted from small batches of 4-year-old ryed straight Kentucky bourbon finished for six months in casks that held PX Sherry, an intensely rich and sweet wine made from overly ripened, sun-dried grapes. Offered at 112 proof (56% ABV), Lux Row Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finish will be available nationwide in February at a minimum suggested retail price of $49.99 per 750mL bottle.

The PX Sherry cask finish imparts an aromatic bouquet of dried figs and dates, and decadent flavors of grape syrup and candied fruit followed by hints of spice, roasted coffee, and dark chocolate. The result is a unique and balanced pour.

“We wanted to meld the intensely sweet flavors of PX Sherry with the spicy, peppery flavor notes of our ryed bourbon,” said Lux Row Master Distiller John Rempe. “The outcome is a delicious combination of two opposing yet complementary flavors that results in a truly unique expression.”

Lux Row Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finish debuted in October 2024 at Lux Row Distillers and quickly became a favorite of distillery visitors and guests.

“PX Sherry was an immediate hit at Lux Row,” said Lux Row Brand Manager Eric Winter. “We’re looking forward to expanding its footprint and sharing this unique offering with bourbon drinkers who are looking for one-of-a-kind flavor options and taste profiles.”

Lux Row Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finish is the latest offering to join Lux Row’s award-winning brand family. Current Lux Row products include 12-year Double Barrel and Lux Row Four Grain Double Single Barrel, which earned a Platinum medal at the Ascot Awards, a Double Gold designation at the SIP Awards and a Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

TASTING NOTES
AROMA: An aromatic bouquet of dried figs and dates
PALATE: Flavors of grape syrup and candied fruit
FINISH: Hints of spice, roasted coffee, and dark chocolate

What Gary Says

Nose:  Caramel, vanilla, figs, plums, bit of orchard fruit and oak.
Palate: Creamy with caramel, chocolate, vanilla, grape soda, honey, nutmeg and a bit of cinnamon.
Finish:  Moderately long with baking spices and dark fruits.
Comments: Wow, this is just delicious! Full disclosure – I’m a fan of PX sherry maturation and finishes, so I went in expecting to really like this and was not disappointed. This nails that PX sherry finish balance without overpowering the bourbon base, and bottled at a respectable ABV – this drinks like a champ neat. A few drops of water won’t hurt it, and brings out some more orchard fruit on the nose, but I think this is a winner neat in a nosing glass.

Rating: Must Try

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Three Chord Allman Brothers Band Backstage Series Whiskey

/ / Bourbon, Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

Three Chord Allman Brothers Band Backstage Series
American Whiskey Finished in Peach Brandy Barrels

53.5% ABV
$200
Website
Three Chord Allman Brothers Backstage Series 2025 Whiskey
We would like to thank Three Chord Bourbon and CHQ Media for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

The Allman Brothers Band Legacy Edition bourbon is a bold Southern blend, just like the band that inspired it. This is a unique mix of 9-year Kentucky bourbon and 11-year whiskey from Tennessee, blended and finished in peach brandy barrels from George Washington’s historic Mount Vernon Distillery. This process results in a rich, full-bodied whiskey with deep oak, caramel, and a hint of ripe stone fruit. Smooth yet powerful at 107 proof, this bourbon plays like an Allman Brothers Band jam—layered, soulful, and built to last. Sip it neat, and let the legacy live on.

What Gary Says

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, oak, toffee, baked apples, pears, peaches, crème brûlée with a hint of maple syrup.
Palate: Fruity with peaches, pears and apples all dusted with cinnamon and a caramel drizzle, vanilla, bit of maple candy before a sharp pepper spice bite.
Finish: Moderate in length, damp with fruit salad, caramel and pepper.
Comments: This is an interesting dram, and unique. I enjoyed nosing this one much more than sipping it; some interesting layers of complexity on the nose. I found the palate started off interesting but then a sharp pepper bite was a bit off putting. The price would be a non-starter for me. While I appreciate different and unique, unless you’re just a huge Allman Brothers fan wanting to have this for part of a collection – I didn’t care for the whiskey. In fact I set it aside to revisit it later, and liked it less the second time around. Certainly your mileage may vary, but I’d definitely want to have an opportunity to try it first.

Rating: Average

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Barrell Foundation Double Barrel Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Barrell Foundation Double Barrel Bourbon

50% ABV
$55
Website
Barrell Foundation Double Barrel Bourbon
We would like to thank Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

Barrell Foundation Double Barrel Bourbon exhibits all the complexity that you find in a Barrell Craft Spirits bourbon at a lower proof. Secondary maturation in new American oak casks enhances the notes of dark chocolate, leather, dried fruit, and toasted marshmallows, while the twenty-three percent rye in the mash bill gives a richness to the blend. This is a versatile, full-flavored bourbon perfect for enjoying neat, over ice or in a cocktail.

BLEND COMPONENTS:
Kentucky Bourbon: 8 years old
Indiana Bourbon: 5, 6, & 9 years old
Tennessee Bourbon: 8 years old
Maryland Bourbon: 5 & 6 years old

DERIVED MASH BILL:
Corn: 73%
Rye: 23%
Malted Barley: 4%

  • A blend of straight Bourbon Whiskeys
  • Crafted and bottled in Kentucky

FLAVOR NOTES

​Neat
Appearance: A rich, dark amber hue that glistens invitingly in the glass.
Nose: The aroma unfolds with a luscious blend of caramel and hints of milk chocolate, complemented by baked apples and a dash of pumpkin spice. Following this initial wave, notes of apple fritter, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey-roasted almonds, and orange peel emerge. As the glass fully opens, fresh orange juice, fine black pepper, vanilla, hazelnut, and chocolate-covered cherries come to the forefront, along with enticing hints of brûléed banana, warm bread pudding, and a touch of sweet leather.
Palate: The entry is warm and creamy, with flavors of orange sponge cake, lightly roasted coffee, and rich caramel leading the way. As the sip evolves, notes of cinnamon, dark chocolate, cream puff, and fresh mint emerge. With each successive sip, cherry, vanilla, and toasted marshmallow take hold, while notes of white pepper, toasted walnuts, and vibrant orange zest flicker throughout, creating a harmonious and complex experience.
Finish: The finish is smooth and lingering, with echoes of vanilla, orange, white pepper, and cinnamon that invite you back for more.
With a splash of spring water
Adding a drop of water enhances the experience, making it more decadent. The chocolate merges with the toasted marshmallow to become fire-roasted s’mores, while the honey-roasted almonds transform into pralines. The brûléed banana evolves into luscious bananas fosters, and the baking spices become more defined, merging with the sweeter notes for an indulgent profile that entices the senses.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, cocoa, baking spices, vanilla, bit of orange zest and leather.
Palate: Orange creamsicle, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate covered cherries, nutmeg, walnuts and a bit of pepper spice at the end.
Finish: Moderate in length, slightly drying with vanilla, cinnamon and caramel.
Comments: Another really solid offering by the folks at Barrell Craft Spirits. The front label may read 5 years, but if you blind test this against a 5 year bourbon I think you’ll find the complexity from some of the older stock is noticeable. I really enjoyed this one neat; while the tasting notes from BCS are the best in the business as far as I’m concerned – a bit of water didn’t open it up for me. While really good neat, this also makes one helluva old fashioned!

Rating: Stands Out

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Penelope Estate Collection Private Select

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Penelope Estate Collection Private Select
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50.6% ABV
$80
Website
Penelope Estate Collection Private Select
We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us samples to review.

What the Blender Says

Penelope Private Select annual release explores new and unique expressions of our straight bourbon whiskey blends using the finest of our aged barrel stocks.

From hand selecting the barrels to creating each blend, Private Select strives to showcase the best in all of us.

Mash Bill: 74% Corn | 20% Rye | 1% Wheat | 5% Malted Barley
Blend of Straight Whiskies
9 Years Old
#4 Staves, #2 Heads
Four Grain
101.2 Proof
Un-cut, Non Chill-Filtered

TASTING NOTES
AROMA: Rich caramel, vanilla custard, and cherry fruit
FORWARD NOTES: Smooth caramel syrup, brown sugar, subtle barrel char, and hints of butterscotch and crème brûlée
BODY: Marshmallow, caramel, sweet cherry and black pepper
FINISH: Vanilla crème brûlée, allspice, and light smoke

What Gary Says

Nose: Salted caramel, toffee, vanilla, brown sugar, dried cherries and charred oak.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with vanilla, caramel, black cherry, bit of orange zest and cinnamon.
Finish: Moderate in length with vanilla, classic oak spice and a bit of pepper.
Comments: A very nice, solid bourbon. Tasting this next to the Estate Collection Single Barrel, this is similar but with a thicker, richer mouthfeel. Both are non-chill filtered but it really stands out here, which I appreciate (as well as the orange zest notes). Also appreciate this being slightly less expensive for a dram I appreciate more!

Rating: Stands Out

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Penelope Estate Collection Single Barrel

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Penelope Estate Collection Single Barrel
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

49% ABV
$90
Website
Penelope Estate Collection Single Barrel
We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us samples to review.

What the Blender Says

Penelope Single Barrel uncovers the character that lies within our finest aged stocks. Each barrel, unique in profile, is hand selected from various warehouses and floors after a decade of aging.

Some barrels are just too exceptional to blend.

Mash Bill: 75% Corn | 21% Rye | 4% Malted Barley
Three Grain
Single Barrel Whiskey
98 Proof
Non Chill-Filtered

TASTING NOTES
AROMA: Vanilla, caramel, dried fruit, sweet cherry
FORWARD NOTES: Smooth caramel syrup, brown sugar, subtle barrel char, and hints of butterscotch and crème brûlée
BODY: Caramel, buttercream frosting, maraschino cherry, and light rye spice
FINISH: Dried cherry, marshmallow with lingering spice

What Gary Says

Nose: Salted caramel, vanilla, oak, cherry, hint of blackberry and chocolate.
Palate: Vanilla, crème brûlée, cherry, caramel, hint of maple candies, nutmeg and blackberry.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with sour oak, vanilla and cinnamon.
Comments: A nice bourbon, and stands out as unique as I don’t often get blackberry as a note in bourbon (or whiskey in general). Not sure where that’s coming from either, although should note that with any single barrel products there’s built in variability. I wouldn’t add any water to this one – on the nose it does bring out more fruit notes with apples, but thins out the palate. Neat this one drinks nicely, although at MSRP seems a bit pricey.

Rating: Stands Out

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