Daniel Davis
Traverse City Whiskey Co. Port Barrel Finish Straight Bourbon
Traverse City Whiskey is a craft distillery that continues to make strides year after year. Their latest finishing series release features in-house distilled whiskey that was finished in port casks. According to the company’s press release, the bourbon used was aged “for five years and rested for nearly 12 months in massive 300L Ruby Port wine barrels.” Let’s take a sip and explore this new offering!
Nose
Brown sugar | Plump raisins | Hint of clove | Vanilla Bean | Spiced syrup | Light charred oak | Distinct port aroma | Subtle expressive scents
Palate
Dry oak | Light grain | Touch of rye spice | Vanilla syrup | Prominent plump dark raisins | Aged dry notes
Finish
Raisins | Dry oak | Subtle dark berries | Rye spice | Lingering warming heat
Overall
Traverse City Port Finish has layers of nuanced flavors and depth versus the more in-your-face nature of many wine finished bourbons on the market. Its nose is full of subtle expressive scents that draw you in over and over. The palate surprisingly highlights more aged dry notes versus the sweetness that the nose leads you to believe. The finish is the weakest part of the sip as the flavors tend to drop off quicker than not, leaving a warming heat in their path. Traverse City Whiskey Co. certainly has a knack when it comes to port finished bourbons, and makes me hope that the company continues to explore barrel finished bourbons.
Classification: Straight Bourbon Finished in Seasoned Port Casks
Company: Traverse City Whiskey Co.
Distillery: Traverse City Whiskey Co.
Release Date: March 2023
Proof: 100
Age: NAS (Company press release states 5 year old bourbon finished for 12 additional months)
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Color: Light Mahogany
MSRP: $60
“The Traverse City Whiskey Co. Port Barrel Finish Straight Bourbon offers a unique and complex flavor experience with hints of brown sugar, plump raisins, and subtle spices. The distinct port aroma on the nose draws you in, and while the finish could be stronger, the overall sip makes it a worthwhile choice. A great addition to the market of wine finished bourbons, and a testament to Traverse City Whiskey Co.’s craft and innovation.”
“Traverse City Whiskey Co.’s Port Barrel Finish Straight Bourbon showcases the distillery’s talent and dedication to continuously improve their craft. The careful aging and resting process in massive ruby port barrels results in a unique and nuanced flavor profile, featuring subtle notes that draw you in. As with many wine-finished bourbons, the finish could be longer, but overall this offering is a testament to Traverse City’s expertise in barrel finishes.”