Moving up the wine list from Chardonnay to Cab Sauv we have the Thomas S. Moore Bourbon Cabernet Sauvignon Casks. Like the Thomas S. Moore Chardonnay finish, this is the standard Barton High Rye bourbon that’s been finished in a wine cask for 1-3 years. This extended finishing period is what sets them apart from many in the industry who only do it for a couple of months. 
This extended aging is meant to impart more of the cask quality to the whiskey and help morph it into something different, and hopefully more, than what it was before; the hope of every cask finish initiative. Though, the reality is, most cask finishes are average with some being meh and fewer being spectacular. But, regardless of the result, it’s always fun to see what comes out when you’re familiar with the base spirt and have something to compare it to.
Thomas S. Moore Bourbon Cabernet Sauvignon Casks – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Barton 1792
Mash Bill: At least 51% Corn + Rye + Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak, ex-Chardonnay
Age: 4+ Years
ABV: 47.65%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $70*
Tasting Notes
EYE: Ruddy caramel
NOSE: Caramel frosting, oak, toffee, grits, vanilla, white grape juice, green coffee beans, pastries and dark fruits with a hint of baking spice.
The wine notes pop a bit and as it opens a hint of copper shows along with a deeper wine presence.
PALATE: Oak, toffee, grits, vanilla taffy, coffee beans, white grape juice, pastries and dark fruits with a hint of cocoa and baking spice.
The Thomas S. Moore Bourbon Cabernet Sauvignon Casks’ fruity grapey sweetness dies down a tad here. Though it’s far from removed and makes the underlying bourbon more pronounced.
FINISH: Med-long -> Oaky, spicy, fruity with a touch of cocoa on an easy grapey fade.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL: Good balance, medium body, and a soft easy feel.
Thomas S. Moore Bourbon Cabernet Sauvignon Casks – Overall Thoughts and Score
The grapey notes start rather light and slowly build as the whiskey opens. A bit of water brings them out a tad more along with slightly bolder notes of cocoa and spice and a deeper oak. There isn’t an unpleasant aspect of this whiskey, but by far my favorite is the palate.
Thomas S. Moore Bourbon Cabernet Sauvignon Casks is an easy sipping whiskey. It could make some decent cocktails, and with the wine notes popping I’d want to go in the direction of something more herbal or bitter to compliment the increased sweetness. Something in the Negroni/Boulevardier family of cocktails or even something like a three-ingredient highball.
SCORE: 3.5/5
*Disclosure: The sample for this whiskey review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Thomas S. Moore Bourbon Cabernet Sauvignon Casks Review $70
Summary
A nice sipping dram on its own and something that would work well in a summer eve highball.
Overall
3.5- Nose (3.5)
- Palate (3.5)
- Finish (3.5)
- BBF (3.5)
