Southern Star Finished In Zinfandel Casks Straight Bourbon
Overview
Southern Star Finished In Zinfandel Casks Straight Bourbon represents an innovative expression from Southern Distilling, utilizing a wheated mashbill aged initially in charred oak before finishing in Zinfandel wine casks from Carlisle Vineyards. This finishing imparts a rare dry profile that sets it apart from conventional bourbons, earning praise for expanding sensory boundaries despite its unconventional character.
Specs at a glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Style | Wheated Straight Bourbon |
| ABV | 58.1% |
| Mashbill | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Release Info | Paragon collection; released early 2026 after at least one year in 60-gallon Zinfandel casks from Carlisle Vineyards |
| Age | No age statement (average initial aging 4 years 202 days) |
Good to know
Produced at Southern Distilling in Statesville, North Carolina—once dubbed the "Liquor Capital of the World" in the 19th century—this bourbon employs open-top fermentation over five days. The distillate comes off the column still at 130 proof and enters barrels at 110 proof, with initial maturation in a mix of three Black Swan and one Speyside #4 char barrels before Zinfandel finishing. It was dumped at 116 proof on June 1, 2022, and bottled at 116.1 proof.
Tasting notes
- Nose: Distinct dryness from Zinfandel cask influence, evoking tannic structure and deviation from typical bourbon fruitiness.
- Palate: Unconventional dry profile challenges expectations with a structured, less sweet wheated character that prioritizes intrigue over familiarity.
- Finish: Lingering tannin-driven dryness that rewards patient tasters seeking sensory expansion.
Notable details
- Production: Column-distilled; non-chill filtered implied by high proof and cask finishing; bottled at 116.1 proof.
- Lineage: Southern Distilling bridges North Carolina's distilling heritage with Sonoma Zinfandel vines via Carlisle casks.
- Availability: Early 2026 Paragon release at MSRP $46 (375 ml).
"This Zinfandel-finished bourbon offers a rare, dry profile that expands a taster’s sensory experience, making it worthwhile despite unconventional flavors." – Drinkhacker
A bold, dry departure for bourbon explorers willing to embrace the unconventional.
Sources
[1] Drinkhacker – "Review: Southern Star Bourbon Finished in Zinfandel Casks"
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