Whiskey Wednesday: Berkshire Mountain Distillers Terrapin Cask Finished Bourbon

Following up on Monday's post about craft whiskey, today's review is of the Berkshire Mountain Distillers Cask Finished Bourbon. BMD partnered with craft breweries around the country to create unique versions of their bourbon aged in recently emptied beer barrels. This particular 600 bottle Georgia-only release is a collaboration with Athens, Georgia brewery Terrapin Beer Co. The bourbon was finished in barrels that previously held Terrapin's Barrel-Aged Monk's Revenge, a hopped Belgian triple aged in Cabernet barrels. So to recap, this is bourbon that was finished in a beer barrel that used to hold wine.

Read my review after the jump.

Price:  $45 at Tower Beer Wine & Spirits

Proof:  43% ABV (86 proof)

Age:  There is no age statement on the bottle, and it does not have the "straight bourbon" designation, so you have to assume the bourbon is under 2 years old. The company's owner and distiller, Chris Weld, told me via email that some of the bourbon in the blend is over four years old and none of it is under two years old. He also said that about 20% of the barrels that go into the bourbon are small 10/15 gallon barrels (the rest are traditional 53 gallon barrels). It was finished for 5 months in the Monk's Revenge barrels. 

Color:  Light Amber

Nose: Well, it smells like bourbon. Vanilla, brown sugar, oak. Faint grape notes from the wine.

Palate: There is wood on the palate but very little sweetness. This may be the small barrels at work. Vanilla, black licorice, black pepper, and blood orange. 

Finish:  Clean with rye spice and licorice.

Overall:  This is significantly better than most of the craft whiskies I've tried, particularly the nose. It is similar in style to a Four Roses Small Batch (though not on its level). Partnering with regional breweries is an incredibly cool idea. As promising as this product is, however, it cannot be ignored that this whiskey costs $45. There is stiff competition in that price category, but for those that want to try something new, this is worth a shot.

It just so happens that Terrapin is having a tasting tonight in Athens where you can try both the bourbon and the Monk's Revenge beer. Distiller Chris Weld from Berkshire and Terrapin Brewmaster Spike Buckowski will be on hand.