Light baking spices | Cinnamon | Dried tangerine | Charred oak | Faint brown sugar | Traditional faint scents

Cinnamon bark | Brown sugar | Aged oak | Prickly peppercorn spice | Rye spice

Oak | Leather | Cinnamon Stick | Rye spice

Now in its 6th year, the Pinhook Bourbon War Vertical Series continues to be one of the most interesting experiments taking place in the bourbon space. The series started with Bourbon War 4 Year and will end in 2027 when the bourbon is 12 years old. Last year’s Bourbon War 8 Year saw a decrease in proof for the first time in the series’ history. This year’s release again follows this same trend, coming down in proof by an additional 0.03 proof points compared to last year’s 114.6 proof. This year’s release consists of 100 barrels, with approximately 700 barrels remaining to create the final 3 batches.

After last year's Pinhook Bourbon War Vertical Series 8 Year highlighted one of the best editions in the series, this year’s edition had a lot to live up to. Opening on traditional light scents, the bourbon highlights baking spices, cinnamon, charred oak, and a faint brown sugar note. Dried tangerines add further intrigue. The palate starts with a sweet brown sugar and cinnamon bark note before transitioning to aged oak resting on a bed of spices. The finish ends on classic notes of oak, weather, cinnamon, and rye spice, helping carry forward the theme that this year’s bourbon goes back to basics. It might not reach the same level the 8 year did, but overall, this whiskey delivers a well-rounded sip. With three years to go in the series, this ongoing vertical series is one of the most fascinating and fun experiments currently taking place in the bourbon world. I’m excited to see how the bourbon starts to taste as it enters double digit age territory.