George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish Review

I love George Dickel whisky and I love Tabasco – I put it on everything – but the question at hand is do they work together? George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish, a.k.a. Hot Dickel, is a blend of distilled Tabasco and aged George Dickel that was finished in Tabasco barrels for 30-days and then bottled at 70 proof (35% ABV). It’s not considered a liqueur because there is no sugar added.

George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish

The no sugar added part was interesting to me because, as you’ll see in the review below, it’s quite sweet. Also as you’ll note there isn’t a score below, because this isn’t actually a whisk(e)y and I don’t put scores on flavored spirits. One last fun fact before we dig in, if you didn’t know it already Tabasco is created using ex-Bourbon casks so in a way it’s all coming full circle (yes I know Dickel isn’t technically a bourbon).

George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish Review: Details and Tasting Notes

George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish Color is a phenomenal mixer, but not that great as a daily sipper.

In George Dickel’s Words: George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish

“For over a century, the legacy of two Southern brands, George Dickel and McIlhenny Company’s TABASCO® Brand Pepper Sauce, have left their mark on the world and their distinct tastes in the memories of people everywhere. These two iconic brands have come together in one bottle to create George Dickel Tabasco Brand Barrel Finish, or Hot Dickel for short.”

George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish price, ABV, age and other details

Region: Tennessee, USA

Distiller: George Dickel
Mash Bill: 80% Corn, 14% Rye, 6% Malted Barley + Pepper Mash
Cask: New Charred Oak, ex-Tabasco
Age: NAS
ABV: 35%

Price: $23*

George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish Tasting Notes

EYE
Caramel

NOSE
Dickel corn and vanilla come first followed by Tabasco spice, vinegar and some sugary sweetness.

PALATE
Weirdly sweet with lots of the Dickel corn and vanilla and the Tabasco is quite pronounced.

FINISH
Med -> Dickel corn, vanilla, Tabasco spice and sugary sweetness.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Not very balanced, medium body and a thick feel.

George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish Review: OVERALL

George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish Review

George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish is not bad as a mixer or cocktail ingredient, but not something I’d regularly drink neat on its own. It’s a unique and interesting beverage and I think it would do well as a substitute for Ancho Chile Liqueur in cocktails that use it. A bit of sweetness, a bit of spice and a bit of that corn-heavy Dickel essence.

SCORE: NA

*Disclosure: This George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.