A little background

Rabbit Hole Dareringer is aged in traditional American Oak barrels with an entry proof of 115. The aged bourbon is then moved to a Pedro Ximenz Sherry Cask for finishing. The mash bill on this particular expression is 68% corn, 18% wheat, and 14% malted barley. According to Rabbit Hole, Dareringer is a small batch release made up of no more than 15 barrels. This Straight Bourbon Whiskey is bottled at 93 proof, has no official age statement, and carries an MSRP of $80.

(Tasted neat from a Cradle Glass)

Color

Light Caramel

Nose

Lightly sweetened fruit hits the nose first followed by full floral notes. There are hints of vanilla, oak, and caramel.

Palate

The palate is fairly smooth and there is not much spice on the first sip but that does not discount the flavor. The second sip coats the mouth with notes of raisins, vanilla, and almonds. There are also floral notes followed by rich dried fruit notes.

Finish

The finish is relatively short in comparison to other finish bourbons I have had. There is a bit of dryness from the sherry casks but a very balanced amount.

In closing

If you are a fan of sherry cask finished bourbon I would recommend giving this one a try. The going rate is a little high for the overall quality of the bourbon. Adding in a touch of water or ice cube really helps release the flavors of this finished bourbon. I wanted more of a finish but the minimal dryness allowed me to continue sipping.