Daniel Davis
15 Stars Fine Aged Spirits Triple Cask Batch 001
15 Stars was started by father and son team Rick and Ricky Johnson, and bottle their whiskeys at Bardstown Bourbon Co. in Bardstown, Kentucky. Triple Cask is a blend of 8 and 16 year old Kentucky distilled bourbons, finished in cognac, port, and rum casks and bottled at 53.3% ABV. Here’s what I thought when I sampled it.
Nose
Raisin | Dark fruits | Black raspberry | Spicy heat
Palate
Dark fruits | Raspberry | Black cherry | Vanilla custard | Graham cracker | Hint of orange zest | Rich & spicy throughout
Finish
Surge of spice | Black pepper | Allspice | Lingering heat
Uiniqueness
Value
Overall
Dark fruits meet intense spice in this triple cask finished blend of Kentucky bourbons.
The nose presents an intense heat specified by lots of dark fruit notes, including raisins, dark fruits, and black raspberry. This is accompanied by a surge of spice which sets the tone for the intense flavor profile. On the palate, it’s a balanced mix of fruity and spicy, with dark fruits, raspberry, black cherry, and vanilla custard all wrapped up in a rich and spicy throughout. On the finish, there’s a surge of spice culminating in black pepper, allspice, and lingering heat.
I really enjoy spicy pours, and in this case I would have liked to see less influence from the spice and more influence from the finishing barrels. Specifically, I didn’t notice any rum barrel influence, making for a whiskey that drinks higher than its 105 proof point. Despite this, 15 Stars has come out swinging with impressive releases, and I expect the company to dial in their recipes more in the future.
Classification: Straight Bourbon Finished in Cognac, Port, and Rum Casks
Company: 15 Stars
Distillery: Sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery(ies)
Release Date: July 2023
Proof: 105
Age: Blend of 8 and 16 year old bourbons
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Reddish Amber
MSRP: $179 / 750mL (2023)
>Fruitcake | Raisin | Oak | Honey | Vanilla | Caramel | Slight spice/pepper
I was blown away by the complexity and depth of flavors in this spirit. The combination of the aged bourbons and the three different casks created a rich and decadent profile. The aromas of dark fruit and spicy heat on the nose gave way to a palate bursting with fruitcake, oak, and sweet notes like honey and caramel. The slight spice and pepper on the finish added a perfect amount of heat. Overall, this is a top-notch aged spirit that any whiskey lover should try. Highly recommended!
“15 Stars Fine Aged Spirits Triple Cask Batch 001 is an exceptional blend of 8 and 16 aged Kentucky bourbons, finished in cognac, port, and rum casks. The result is a rich and decadent whiskey with complex flavors that will delight any whiskey lover. Highly recommended.”
>Lush fruit | Brown sugar | Hazelnut | Leather | Creamy mouthfeel
“15 Stars’s Triple Cask batch 001 offers a unique and luxurious blend of aged bourbons finished in cognac, port, and rum casks. The nose is bursting with dark fruits and a hint of spice, while the palate delivers a creamy mouthfeel with notes of brown sugar and hazelnut. Definitely a must-try for any spirit aficionado.”
>Raisin | Dark fruits | Black raspberry | Spicy heat | Caramel | Vanilla | Dried cherries | Oak | Cocoa | Leather | Tobacco
“15 Stars Fine Aged Spirits Triple Cask Batch 001 is a complex and carefully crafted blend of bourbons finished in cognac, port, and rum casks. With rich notes of dark fruits, spices, and a touch of sweetness, it’s a must-try for whiskey enthusiasts looking for a unique and flavorful experience.”