Pursuit Spirits is launching a rye whiskey finished in cognac barrels

Fans of podcast, whsikey, and uniquely-finished whiskeys will love this new release

By Christopher Osburn Published June 15, 2025

Pursuit Spirits

If you like podcasts, whiskey, and unique barrels, you’ll be excited for the newest release from Pursuit Spirits. The brand, founded by the whiskey enthusiasts behind the popular Bourbon Pursuit podcast, is set to release a truly exciting rye whiskey finished in ex-cognac barrels.

Pursuit United Cognac Cask Rye

Whiskey in a glass with an ice cube — timnewman / iStock

It’s called Pursuit United Cognac Cask Rye, and the newest addition to the Pursuit United lineup was created in partnership with Bardstown Bourbon Company and Sagamore Spirit. The rye whiskey is a blend of whiskey from the two popular distilleries. It consists of a 95% rye and 5% malted barley rye whiskey from Bardstown, a 52% rye, 43% corn, and 5% malted barley rye whiskey from Sagamore, as well as a 95% rye and 5% malted barley rye whiskey from Sagamore. The blend is matured between four and seven years before being finished in barrels that previously held XO cognac.

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According to the brand, the result is a complex, memorable 108-proof rye whiskey that begins with a nose of fried dough, cran apple, dates, and candied ginger. The palate is a mix of dried apricots, bread pudding, black walnuts, and date syrup. The finish is a medley of jasmine tea, orange peels, paprika, and charred oak.

“After just one small-scale test in three short weeks, this rye easily became one of the best barrel finishes we’ve ever pulled off,” Ryan Cecil, Pursuit Spirits Master Blender and CEO, says.

“With that in mind, we quickly scaled it up by selecting full barrels that would enhance the cognac qualities. The result calls for a heavy pour.”

Where can I buy it?

Whiskey glass — Giorgio Trovato/Unsplash

This new release from Pursuit Spirits will be available in July. Members of the P.Club (the brand’s subscription service) will have early access at the distillery in Louisville beginning on July 3—no price has been listed yet. For more information, please visit PursuitSpirits.com.

Christopher Osburn

Writer

Christopher Osburn is a food and drinks writer located in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. He's been writing professional

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