Pinhook Bourbon War Vertical Series 8 Year
Pinhook · Castle & Key (sourced from MGP, Lawrenceburg, IN)
Pinhook's vertical program selects barrels at peak maturity, and this eight-year expression hits a sweet spot where grain character and barrel influence are in genuine conversation. It rewards patient sipping and demonstrates how an extra couple of years in wood can add remarkable depth without sacrificing balance.
Kit Aromas
Nose
Rich caramel and toasted pecan dominate the opening, with a thread of dried cherry and leather underneath. A faint hint of vanilla custard develops with time in the glass.
Palate
Dense and chewy, with layers of butterscotch, dark cherry, and charred oak arriving in waves. Baking spices and a subtle corn sweetness provide structure, while a tobacco-leaf dryness anchors the midpalate.
Finish
Long and warming, with lingering pecan brittle, leather, and a dusting of cocoa. The oak influence is authoritative but never bitter.
- Mash Bill
- 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
- Barrel Type
- New charred American oak
- Bottled in Bond
- No
- Single Barrel
- No
- Wheated
- No
Cocktail Suggestion
Patina Old Fashioned — 2 oz Pinhook 8 Year · 0.25 oz demerara syrup · 3 dashes Angostura bitters · 1 dash orange bitters · Stir over ice, strain over a large cube, express an orange peel.
Food Pairing
The caramelized fat of smoked pork belly mirrors the bourbon's butterscotch sweetness, while peach chutney lifts the charred oak notes and complements the cherry undertones.
Founded by Sean Josephs in Louisville, Pinhook sources and ages barrels with a thoroughbred breeder's eye for timing, releasing each vintage only when the whiskey signals readiness.
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