Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon Whiskey — Cabernet Sauvignon Finish 750ml

Hillrock Estate Distillery pioneered solera-aged bourbon in America, and this Cabernet Sauvignon Finish takes that foundational technique one step further. The whiskey begins with Hillrock's own estate-grown bourbon, blended with a "seed bourbon" that's spent years maturing in a 20-year-old Oloroso sherry solera cask — the same layered, never-fully-emptied barrel system used in Cognac, Port, and Sherry production, where age and complexity build gradually over time as a small portion is drawn off and replaced with younger spirit. From there, the whiskey undergoes a final finishing stage in genuine Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks, adding a distinctly fruit-forward, wine-driven layer to the finished bourbon.

Hillrock was founded by Jeffrey Baker in collaboration with the late Master Distiller Dave Pickerell, formerly of Maker's Mark — the same figure widely credited as the mastermind behind bringing solera aging to American whiskey in the first place. Located in Ancram, in New York's Hudson Valley, roughly two hours north of New York City, Hillrock remains one of the few genuine field-to-glass whiskey producers anywhere in the world, growing its own grain on-site and claiming the distinction of being one of the first American distilleries since before Prohibition to floor-malt its own estate-grown grain.

Drink Insider's independent, detailed review scored the whiskey 93 Points, calling it "a real show-stopper of a bourbon. Easily in contention for one of the best American craft whiskeys in the country today, and my favorite of Hillrock's offerings." Kara Newman's blind tasting for Wine Enthusiast found "this wine cask-finished bourbon offers a big, raucously oaked palate. Tamed with water, dusty cocoa segues effortlessly into warming, nutty tones, finishing with a distinct black cherry note on the tingly, cinnamon-spiked finish." The official tasting notes describe a copper-amber whiskey with slight red hues, opening with "a caramel-vanilla nose full of fruit — cherry, blackberry and citrus — and sweet desserts — taffy, caramelized sugar, plum and caramel," developing into "warm and sweet notes of vanilla, toffee and French oak," complemented by "a bouquet of floral and fruity notes — black cherry, currant, violet and nuts," closing on "a long and vanilla-focused finish, highlighted with cherry and cabernet flavors." This is genuinely ambitious American whiskey — a real showcase of what happens when serious bourbon craft meets serious wine-cask finishing.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon Whiskey, Cabernet Sauvignon Finish, is produced by Hillrock Estate Distillery, a farm distillery with roots dating to 1806, located in Ancram, in New York's Hudson Valley, roughly two hours north of New York City. Founded by Jeffrey Baker in collaboration with the late Master Distiller Dave Pickerell, formerly of Maker's Mark, Hillrock is one of the few genuine field-to-glass whiskey producers in the world, growing its own grain estate-side.

The whiskey blends Hillrock's own in-house bourbon with a "seed bourbon" matured in a 20-year-old Oloroso sherry solera cask, before undergoing a final finishing stage in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks. The mash bill runs 63% corn and 37% rye, with the underlying Solera bourbon estimated at an average age of six years. Bottled at 41.3% ABV, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

Drink Insider — 93 Points:
"A real show-stopper of a Bourbon. Easily in contention for one of the best American craft whiskeys in the country today, and my favorite of Hillrock's offerings."

Kara Newman, Wine Enthusiast:
"This wine cask-finished Bourbon offers a big, raucously oaked palate. Tamed with water, dusty cocoa segues effortlessly into warming, nutty tones, finishing with a distinct black cherry note on the tingly, cinnamon-spiked finish."

Hillrock Estate Distillery (official tasting notes):
"The multi-barrel aging of this copper/amber whiskey with slight red hues in appearance before offering a caramel-vanilla nose full of fruit (cherry, blackberry and citrus) and sweet desserts (taffy, caramelized sugar, plum and caramel). Warm and sweet notes of vanilla, toffee and French oak complimented by a bouquet of floral and fruity notes — black cherry, currant, violet and nuts complete the palate before leading to a long and vanilla-focused finish, highlighted with cherry and cabernet flavors."

Bourbon Central (extended description):
"A rich, copper-hued whiskey bursting with complex flavor notes of dark fruits like cherry and blackberry, complemented by caramel, toffee, and a touch of oak spice. Enhanced with a bouquet of floral and nutty undertones, it finishes long and smooth with hints of vanilla and cabernet."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Copper-amber with slight red hues. Caramel-vanilla leads, full of cherry, blackberry, and citrus, alongside taffy, caramelized sugar, plum, and toffee.

Palate
Warm and sweet, with vanilla, toffee, and French oak carrying the entry, joined by floral and fruity notes — black cherry, currant, violet, and nuts. A big, raucously oaked character opens with air, with dusty cocoa and warming, nutty tones developing.

Finish
Long and vanilla-focused, closing with distinct black cherry and Cabernet-driven fruit, alongside a tingly, cinnamon-spiked warmth.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Dark chocolate desserts
• Aged, nutty cheeses
• Dried fruit and nut boards
• Grilled or roasted red meat

Serving Note

Best enjoyed neat, though a splash of water helps tame the oak and reveal additional cocoa and nutty tones.