White grape | Corn | Kiwi | Coconut | Cantaloupe | Lime

White grape | Lemon | Minerals | Orange | Aprocot

Dry white wine | Rye spice | Toasted oak | Lime | Almond | Ramp up of prickly spice & citrus

When you think whiskey producers have explored every type of wine finish available, another pops up. There are thousands of wine varieties worldwide, so more types of wine finished bourbons are likely to come, but how many will truly offer a unique tasting experience beyond the ones already available?

Lux Row Distillers is perhaps the first to finish in albariño casks. Albariño wine is one of Spain's signature white wines, though the style is also made in Portugal and California. Albariño wine is rarely oaked, but producers are always looking to add their unique twist on a style, and started barreling them. Many whiskey producers gravitate to red wine finishes, but some have explored chardonnay or sauvignon blanc finishes. Where red wine tends to complement bourbon’s traditional flavors, white wine finished bourbons contrast more and add a degree of crispness to the bourbon that white wine is traditionally known for.

Starting off with a blend of 4 year old wheated and ryed bourbons maintains a degree of lightness to this finished bourbon, which was then finished for 6 months in albariño wine casks. The bourbon’s aroma features an ample white wine scent against corn and a range of tropical fruits. The palate starts with crisp white grape notes before injecting tart lemon, orange, apricot, and a gentle mineral baseline note. The finish is where things get interesting; a dry white wine note pops first, immediately followed by a surge of prickly rye spice and a pop of lime acidity that could cause whiplash. It creates a tingly sensation on your tongue that is unique, to put it mildly.

Acidity isn’t for everyone, much like how some people enjoy bitter oak tannins in their bourbon more than others. But Lux Row Small Batch Albariño Cask Finish is a highly unique tasting bourbon that is more of a drinking “experience” than you typically get in a wine finished bourbon. The bourbon’s youthfulness does pull through, but it seems to help keep the bourbon bright and vibrant. Utilizing a lesser-known style of wine isn’t always a recipe for success, but this is a case where uniqueness, novelty, and creativity result in a one-of-a-kind pour.

Lux Row Small Batch Albariño Cask Finish is currently a distillery-exclusive release.