The Details
Broad Branch
Big Winston
Barrel Finished Series
Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Barrels
Single Barrel - Barrel 0147
Non-Chill Filtered (NCF)
Aged 6 Years
Barreled: 7.27.17
Dumped: 9.25.23
Distilled, Aged & Bottled by Broad Branch Distillery
Winston Salem, North Carolina
55% ABV / 110 Proof
Mashbill: 86% Corn, 6% Rye, 8% Barley
Price: $74.95
Poured Neat in a Glencairn Glass
Appearance: Old Oak / Dark Ruby
Nose: Dark Cherry, Ripe Plum, Flaky Pie Crust, Hint of Vanilla
Palate: Warm Dark Fruits, Holiday Spices - Clove & Cinnamon, Buttery Pastry, Sweet and Savory
Finish: Sweet and Smooth to a Warm Sweetly Spiced Hug. Long Lasting Warmth
Overall: It's Warm Cherry Pie, folks. I don't know any other way to describe what's going on here. I love it when jotting down notes and I turn the bottle around to see most of the same notes on the label. I swear that happens more often than not. The amazing team at Broad Branch nailed the notes down on this one: "...an impressive range of mature flavors including notes of cherry pie, stewed fruit, clove, plum and cherry cola."
What a delicious second release in this Barrel Finished Series. Now, if you know me, you know I love the details when it comes to the production, the finishing and obviously, the outcome of everything I try. Well, Don Jenkins and I can "geek out" all day long on these details and the entire process. He graciously provided a "few" steps y'all might enjoy and really open your eyes to what is happening with each of these bottles.
It all started with 24 month air dried staves that became a Medium Toast, Char 4 Barrel. The Big Winston entered the barrel in 2017 at 123.2 Proof where it rested until being moved to a freshly dumped Ruby Port Barrel from RayLen Vineyards here in North Carolina for another 3 months. That barrel was then dumped 9.25.23 at 133.7 Proof and was proofed down to 110 using reverse osmosis water for a period of one week. The slow addition of water during proofing is quite vital and also shows the passion and quality of Broad Branch. As you know, there's no rushing whiskey!
If you'd like to learn more about Broad Branch, check them out HERE.
I'd like to personally thank Don and the amazing team at Broad Branch for always keeping me in mind when it comes to these fantastic releases. Keep up the amazing work!
Library Rating: 8.1 / 10