Whiskey War Barrel Select Sangiovese Wine Barrel

A little background

High Bank Distillery Co. has been doing some awesome things. First, they made their Whiskey War and Whiskey War Barrel Proof, along with a few other specialty products. The logical next step after creating a blended product was to keep pushing the envelope and try to source high-end, unique barrels to age it in. Barrel Select is a new program High Bank. In this program, they are aging their barrel proof product, one batch at a time, in those unique barrels. Each release will have a limited number of bottles (240 bottles in both the Cab Sauv & Sangiovese barrels) and it will never be duplicated again. Their goal is to release a few barrels of Whiskey War Barrel Select each year for the public to enjoy. Both the Cab Sauv & Sangiovese barrels were sourced from an Ohio wine maker’s home collection where he saves the best award-winning products for himself and close friends. Whiskey War Barrel Select is a passion project in and of itself. Before being a Master Distiller and Master Blender, Adam Hines was formally trained in the art of branding and design. Adam has fully submerged himself into this product from blending the whiskey that went into the barrel to the design and execution of the 3 dimensional, solid metal, pistol cap on the top of every bottle. Batch 1 of Barrel Select will be launching in early November. Join High Bank’s email list at highbankco.com and you will be the first to know and have the ability to reserve you bottle for in-person pickup only.

(Tasted neat from a Halo Glass)

Color

Copper

Nose

The nose is just wonderful. After giving it a few minutes to allow the ethanol to blow off, some delicious, sumptuous notes of orange blossom, dark fig, Autumn honey, orange grape, and kumquats. A touch of oak spice and eucalyptus leaf appeared upon a heavier nosing.

Palate

The palate is medium-bodied. I immediately get notes of orange blossom and figs on the entire palate, coating every aspect of it. Oak spice gently touches the back palate, and the thick sweetness of the Sangiovese wine coats the mid palate. A hint of vanilla touches the front palate, and a nice creaminess coats the back palate after some time in the mouth. This is a very easily-approached whiskey, especially at its proof.

Finish

The finish is medium-long and filled with the beautiful notes of figs and orange blossom that originated from the palate. Vanilla gently coats the back of the palate, with oak spice touching the sides of the back palate along with the sides of the mid-front palate.

In closing

High Bank has done it again! I love this whiskey. It is very well rounded, and an elevated version of their normal barrel proof. The Sangiovese really adds a super cool dimension to the whiskey that I have not tasted in anything else. Additionally, this is not just sweet like your typical finished whiskey. Whiskey War Barrel Select Sangiovese Wine Barrel is a barrel proof whiskey first and just happens to be finished in wine casks. The proof really drives that aspect home and it’s exactly what I want in a finished whiskey. If you are able to get your hands on one of these bottles when they release, do it. I know I definitely will!