Exquisite isn’t exactly the word I’d use to describe the Corti Brothers Exquisite Whiskey, but we’ll get into that more below in the review. This whiskey is a very interesting whiskey because it’s a bourbon finished in Amador County Mission Del Sol barrels, but instead of going on about it myself I’ll let the Corti Brothers do all the heavy lifting on this one.
In The Corti Brother’s Words: Corti Brothers Exquisite Whiskey
“CORTI BROTHERS EXQUISITE WHISKEY is born a very nice Bourbon, aged seven years. Then it is rested-further aged–in very special barrels that make it unique. This is a take-off of the production technique used to make different styles of Scotch whisky: the different “Finishes.” The barrels used for the “finish”are the Amador County Mission del Sol barrels. These are unique. Historically, they are former Bourbon barrels of American white oak. My intention was to make a distinct, Amador County styled, whiskey by using these unique barrels.
Bottled in the fall of 2014, CORTI BROTHERS EXQUISITE WHISKEY is un-chill filtered, in fact unfiltered at all, except for removing the larger pieces of char from the whiskey; and it will throw a slight deposit, a sign of its un-treated nature. The addition of ice will also cloud the whiskey. Proof at bottling is 90.5, a level I think is lovely for drinking. There is only a limited quantity of this original bottling which is available in both 750ml and 375 ml bottles.”
As you can see above I didn’t care too much for this whiskey, but for a differing opinion check out Sku’s Recent Eats; he enjoyed the Corti Brothers Exquisite Whiskey quite a bit. Anyways, on to the Corti Brothers Exquisite Whiskey review!
Corti Brothers Exquisite Whiskey Info
Region: California, USA
Bottler: Corti Brothers
Mashbill: 70% Corn, 25% Rye and 5% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak and ex-Mission del Sol barrels
Age: 7 years
ABV: 45.25%
Price: $30
Corti Brothers Exquisite Whiskey Review
EYE
Ruddy copper
NOSE
Red wine reduction, dry sweetness, sweet grains, molasses, low-quality toffee, strawberry Necco and a light bit of oak, brown sugar and spice. There is a dry yet cloying nature to the aroma.
PALATE
Over-reduced wine, cocoa powder, chalk, grainy sweetness, bit of oak, stale nutmeg and bitter orange pith. It’s like a combo of mediocre bourbon and bad wine.
FINISH
Long and dry with cloying notes of grape syrup, molasses, bitter orange and molasses.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Not well balanced, round full body and an oily heavy feel.
OVERALL
When I first tasted the Corti Brothers Exquisite Whiskey I thought it had to be malt whiskey aged in some kind of sopping wet wine barrel with the way it tasted and smelled. After writing up my notes I turned the bottle around and discovered it was a bourbon and I was floored.
There is nothing about this whiskey that registered as a bourbon to me – the wine has taken over. To me the aroma was cloying and sharp and the palate… well let’s put it this way; If Kool-Aid made a wine flavored powder this is what it would taste like.
SCORE: 78/100 (C+)