Vanilla | Hazelnut | Muted oak | Saltwater taffy | Tequila

Watery vanilla | Muted oak | Nougat | Prominent tequila influence

Oak | White peppercorn | Light rye spice | Saltwater taffy | Vanilla powder | Short

Next Century Spirits is a company headquartered in Zebulon, North Carolina, which states that their “patented process optimizes the cask finishing of spirits. By carefully monitoring the conditions inside of barrels or oak containers such as new oak, bourbon, sherry, port, and others, [they] can help control and modulate the flavors imparted on the base spirit. Temperature, humidity, alcohol content, toast/char level, and the interactions between natural vapor or liquid phases of the distillate are accessed and modified in real-time.” The company has both in-house brands such as Bear Fight, and also works on a contract basis, producing whiskeys for other brands. For their Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve Bourbon, the company sources bourbon and finishes the product in used tequila barrels.

Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve Bourbon is undeniably influenced by its choice of using tequila as a finishing barrel. Tequila is readily noticeable in the bourbon's aroma, along with vanilla, hazelnut, and a muted oak scent. Saltwater taffy is present and morphs into a watery vanilla and nougat flavor at the midpoint. Joining in are muted oak and a prominent tequila influence, which throws the palate off-kilter. Ending on oak, white peppercorn, and a combination of saltwater taffy and vanilla, the bourbon wraps up in a speedy fashion.

It’s been a few years since I last visited Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve Bourbon. Compared to a few years ago, the tequila finishing influence is still prominent, but the sourced bourbon used comes across as more youthful tasting. The overall sip is more muted, particularly its palate, which also comes across as slightly watery. While tequila finished bourbons are still a novelty, and Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve Bourbon is on the less expensive end, in its current form, it comes across as a you-get-what-you-pay-for whiskey.