Gingerbread | Graham cracker | Cinnamon | Toasted oak | Seasoned oak

Trail mix | Seasoned oak | Mixed berry jam | Pecans

Caramel | Black pepper | Allspice | Quick drop-off with lingering dry toasted oak

The K.Luke brand was created by husband-wife team Jonathan and Jennifer Maisano and named after their two children, Kaitlyn and Lucas. Jonathan is also a first-level certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. K.Luke Toasted line was introduced in 2023 and went from an 800 bottle release to a 1,700 bottle release over that time. Toasted barrel finishes have proved to be popular with producers and drinkers for their gingerbread and graham cracker flavors without entering into polarizing Amburana territory. However, if done incorrectly, it can lead to a bitter aftertaste.

Thanks to Batch 4’s 118.4 proof point, the bourbon features amplified toasted oak related flavors. The blended bourbon was finished for 10 weeks in Kelvin Cooperage barrels, with a medium toast with no char, and heavy toast barrels with no char. All of the usual scents are found in the bourbon’s aroma, but the palate is especially noteworthy for its trail mix, seasoned oak, mixed berry jam, and pecan notes. It makes for a delicious flavor combination. The finish is more predictable with its caramel, black pepper, and allspice notes, and notably, it has a quick drop-off, with only lingering dry toasted oak notes remaining.

At high proof, the aforementioned bitter notes are thankfully kept to a minimum. While a little bitterness is present, it isn't consequential to the overall sip. K.Luke Toasted Barrel Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon (Batch 4) is a lot of what you’d expect from toasted barrel finishes. The nose is what you’d expect, and the finish is a little bit of a letdown, but its middle sections are where it shines the best. K.Luke’s price remains high, but the company maintains an agreeable quality bar and wide online availability.