It’s Bourbon Heritage Month and it’s a great time to imbibe America’s “native spirit”. And while you can’t go wrong with a well-made bottle of bourbon, it’s even better when it’s finished in a unique barrel. That’s why we were so excited when we heard the news that Hirsch is launching a bourbon made in collaboration with Hine Cognac House.
HIRSCH Selected Whiskeys: The Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon
This limited-edition expression begins with a mash bill of 72% corn, 13% rye, and 15% malted barley. It’s double distilled in small copper pot stills. It was matured for five years and eight months before being finished in 30-year-old HINE Cognac XO barrels for one year and ten months in Bardstown, Kentucky. Only 3,900 bottles of this epic finished whiskey will be made available to the public.
According to Hirsch, this complex, memorable whiskey begins with a nose of plums and baking spices. Sipping it reveals notes of caramelized sugar, dried cherries, vanilla, cinnamon candy, and muscat grapes. The finish is long, warm, and ends with hints of peach rings, cedar, figs, and light tannins.
“The marriage of exceptional Kentucky straight bourbon with the elegant XO cognac casks embodies the HIRSCH mission to explore the world of possibilities through experimentation balanced with craft,” Kevin Aslan, Head Distiller for HIRSCH says.
“The French Oak casks add a layer of almond, light nutmeg, citrus, and tannic structure that leads to a dry finish. The cognac that these casks absorbed over the 30-year aging period balance out the bourbon’s vanilla and baking spice quality into a nicely balanced yet complex whiskey.” HINE XO
Where can I buy it?
This limited-edition expression is available at select retailers in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, New Jersey, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Tennessee, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota for the suggested retail price of $180 for a 750ml bottle.
