The Belle Meade Bourbon Sherry Finish is special; it’s the whiskey that made me fall in love with Belle Meade bourbon. And I’m not just talking about the amazing Belle Meade California Select Cask that blew my mind, I’m talking about this one right here, the standard 90.4 proof version.
The Belle Meade XO and the Belle Meade Madeira clock in at the 7-year mark. But this little guy clocks in at the 9-year mark. It’s still a three-barrel blend, but instead of being a blend of 7-11 yo casks, the Belle Meade Sherry is a blend of 9-10 yo casks. They get blended at full CS and put into an Oloroso Sherry cask for at least 3 months.
With how much I loved this whiskey on first taste, it was no wonder I fell head-over-heels for the CA Select. Though if I’m honest, my admiration for that bottle is what has kept me from doing this deep dive into the Belle Meade line. If you start at the top, what does the rest of the hill look like?
If you’ve stayed with me over these last couple of days then you know the answer to that question: pretty f’ing great. I’m excited to post this bourbon review, but more excited that I got to get these whiskeys out there. Now… let’s get into this bourbon review!
Belle Meade Bourbon Sherry Finish Review: Details and Tasting Notes
We sample and select barrels from our Reserve stock and blend only the best in extremely small batches to create a Bourbon of exceptional character. We then finish this extraordinary blend of 9+ year-old Bourbon in Oloroso Sherry casks from Spain until perfection is achieved.
Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)
Region: Tennessee, USA
Distiller: MGP
Bottler: Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
Mash Bill: 64% Corn, 30% Rye, 6% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak, ex-Sherry
Age: NAS (9 Years)
ABV: 45.2%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: 18-04
Bottle: 898
Price: $80
Tasting Notes
EYE
Mahogany
NOSE
Oak, dark fruit, cocoa, baking spice, leather, nuts and bits of char, citrus and vermouth.
PALATE
Oak, dark fruit, brown sugar, cocoa, baking spice, vermouth and bits of pepper, copper and vanilla.
FINISH
Long -> Oak, dark fruit, spice and vermouth.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Fantastic balance, full round body and an oily feel.
Belle Meade Bourbon Sherry Finish Review: Overall and Score
The aroma is heavy and dark with equal parts rustic and sweet notes; the Palate is the same with deeper notes of oak and dark fruit; the Finish is everything you want in a sold whiskey. Net-net, Belle Meade Bourbon Sherry Finish is a great freaking bourbon, I’m in love with this whiskey.
The sherry has enhanced the dark chewy fruit notes found in well-matured bourbon and as it opens slight notes of leather start peeking out. This is has become a bourbon I want on the regular. It contains a dark fruity profile that’s deep and balanced against a rustic spice and oak. It’s great.
SCORE: 89/100 (B+)
Belle Meade Bourbon Sherry Finish Review $80
- Nose - 89
- Palate - 89
- Finish - 89
- Balance, Body & Feel - 89
Belle Meade Bourbon Sherry Finish Review Summary
Belle Meade Bourbon Sherry Finish is an incredible 9-year-old MGP whiskey finished in Oloroso Sherry casks.