{"product_id":"hillrock-bourbon-whiskey-cabernet-sauvignon-finish","title":"Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon Whiskey — Cabernet Sauvignon Finish 750ml","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHillrock 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHillrock 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eDrink 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHillrock 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrink Insider — 93 Points:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKara Newman, Wine Enthusiast:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHillrock Estate Distillery (official tasting notes):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBourbon Central (extended description):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCopper-amber with slight red hues. Caramel-vanilla leads, full of cherry, blackberry, and citrus, alongside taffy, caramelized sugar, plum, and toffee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWarm 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLong and vanilla-focused, closing with distinct black cherry and Cabernet-driven fruit, alongside a tingly, cinnamon-spiked warmth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eCategory\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolera-Aged Bourbon Whiskey — Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finished\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABV \/ Proof\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e41.3% ABV \/ 82.6 Proof\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMash Bill\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e63% Corn \/ 37% Rye\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAverage Age\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~6 years (underlying solera bourbon)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaturation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolera aging + 20-year Oloroso Sherry casks, finished in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon casks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistillery\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHillrock Estate Distillery — Ancram, Hudson Valley, New York\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistillery Roots\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFarm dating to 1806\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFounder\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJeffrey Baker\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaster Distiller\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDave Pickerell (formerly Maker's Mark)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCategory Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmerica's first solera-aged bourbon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrain\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100% estate-grown\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDrink Insider 93 Points · Wine Enthusiast (Kara Newman) reviewed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle \/ Identity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA genuinely ambitious, multi-stage American whiskey — rich dark fruit and dessert character from its Cabernet Sauvignon finish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAromas \u0026amp; Flavors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack cherry, currant, violet, vanilla, toffee, French oak, blackberry\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e750ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDark chocolate desserts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAged, nutty cheeses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDried fruit and nut boards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrilled or roasted red meat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eServing Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBest enjoyed neat, though a splash of water helps tame the oak and reveal additional cocoa and nutty tones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_tableContainer_1rjym_1\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Breakthru","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32162518597698,"sku":"","price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0363\/8621\/files\/Hillrock_Solera_Aged_Bourbon_Whiskey_Cabernet_Sauvignon_Finish_750ml.jpg?v=1788620908","url":"https:\/\/www.blackwellswines.com\/products\/hillrock-bourbon-whiskey-cabernet-sauvignon-finish","provider":"Blackwell's Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}