Explorations in Barrel Finishing
November, 2021
Launching a Sabbatical Barrel-in-Residence Program
We like to think of the Sabbatical Lab as a place where curiosity is a constant driving force to explore the unknown. A novel idea gives way to education, experimentation and, in lucky cases, deliciously unique new products. So it is with the introduction of our first barrel finished whiskeys. Story time.
One evening as we sipped a “solera” barrel sample of our signature blended Table Whiskey, the idea occurred to us that the introduction of French Oak flavors could dovetail perfectly with this complex whiskey, and a hint of Cognac might send it over the top. Next, we turned to finding a similar treatment for our Straight Bourbon that would enhance its natural characteristics, leading us to Portugal (unfortunately, not physically) to find a resident port cask for the distillery. We knew the deep sweet notes of this high-corn whiskey would pair beautifully with the French White Oak and residual richness in a port barrel.
a completely candid, normal & not staged photo of our team reviewing Cognac cask samples
The idea took root and our additional cask maturation program — or “barrel-in-residence” as we started calling it — was born. There’s something so interesting about the symbolism of such an undertaking. In a way, it’s a mutual education where subtle interactions between diverse wood types, spirits and cultures interact to produce something entirely new. You can call it study abroad, finishing school or a Sabbatical on the path to new expressions that combine all the familiar notes you love in our core whiskies with a little worldliness and experience. We were confident these could be special but as with any new endeavor, we first had to set forth conducting our new experiments in the Lab…
Notes from the Lab: Cognac Cask Finished Blended Whiskey
Though we are whiskey makers by trade, we’re also big fans of a well-made cognac and its classic aromas — that vanilla, citrus, peach, caramel & tobacco — and luckily, we’re even bigger fans of the effect a used cognac cask can have on finishing the right whiskey. We have spent years developing our signature blend of seven whiskeys that layer together for a uniquely smooth yet complex spirit. A blend characterized by a sweet bourbon base accented by our smoked single malt whiskies to add subtle flavors and depth. The combination of using both new & used American Oak barrels adds further complexity while enriching the delicate flavors and lightening its color to a golden hue reminiscent of Cognac.
In many ways, our blending program here at Sabbatical is influenced by the generations of skilled makers from that small commune tucked away in the southwest of France. Starting with white grapes, farmers, vintners and distillers in France work in sequence to develop a wine that is distilled in small batches under strict conditions. Cognac cannot earn its name until myriad eau de vies are aged in French Oak and then blended to undergo further cask maturation, together. At Sabbatical, each release of one of our blends represents a snapshot of an ever-developing “Solera-style” evolutionary aging program. For this particular limited release, each of our distinct mash bills was first aged separately for over 2 years and then married together for further maturation in American oak over the course of six months before being transferred to a freshly-harvested Cognac barrel.
After sending our now well-acquainted blend to its temporary stay in an ex-Cognac cask we closely monitored the progress, checking the flavor and aroma, noting every delicate nuance the exotic cask gave up. When the balance was perfect between whiskey and the wood, we decanted the spirit to stop its evolution and preserve this perfect moment in time... and then we did it all over again. The second residency of a new Solera Blend in the same finishing cask brought with it less of the Cognac spirit flavor and more of the French white oak character, leading us to marry the two extractions for complexity and balance.
The results of maturing the two barrels and gently blending them together before slowly bringing down to final proof cannot be denied. This one-of-a-kind small batch release of just 520 bottles packs subtle nuance and an unforgettable buttery smooth finish in one of our most exciting whiskey creations yet.
Notes from the Lab: Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Casks
Port is a big and robust fortified wine. Bourbon is a big oaky sweet whiskey. Imagine the marriage of these two complimentary flavors and styles. To begin, we selected a honey barrel of our Bourbon and gently transferred it to a recently emptied French white oak Tawny Port cask. We obsessively monitored the progress, being careful not to extract too much of the powerful port flavors, until we had found the perfect balance between the rich sultry port notes and the sweet familiar nature of the Bourbon.
There is an old Scottish proverb: “There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip” so just imagine how many ways there are to slip from the grain silo to the bottle. The dilution of the spirit to reach its ideal bottling strength is an art all its own and an often overlooked and improperly managed step of the whiskey making journey. We first perform extensive proof trials and then commence a program of gradual reduction or “slow proofing” as one of the many steps we take to create better drinks. By spreading out the addition of water over weeks or months and doing so in the barrel itself, we gently ease the complex chemical composition of the whiskey into its new form.
We bottled this single barrel whiskey at 90 proof, concluding a journey spanning years and continents with 297 bottles made with care and individually numbered by hand. The ruddy sweetness of the port adds juicy wine-rich notes and hints of desiccated stone fruit to the rich body of our 3-year-old American Bourbon, elevating both and giving the sweetness context within the bigger picture.
Made to be enjoyed, shared and to inspire new experiences for the next owner of a whiskey on the final leg of its Sabbatical.
