Heaven’s Door Bootleg Series: 18 Year

The Basics:

Straight Bourbon aged in Spanish Vermouth Rouge Casks (sourced)

114 Proof

18 Year Age Statement

$600 MSRP

Nose:

Orange creamsicle, raspberry jam, Lucky Charms marshmallows, and sugar cookie dough.

Palate:

Rainbow sherbet, pecan pralines, and maraschino cherries.

Finish:

A long herbaceous finish with additional notes of leather and clove.

Final Thoughts:

The Bootleg series from Heaven’s Door is their premium whiskey line, which comes with a very premium price tag. As someone who is not a vermouth fan, I was worried that the vermouth might overpower the whiskey, as I find whenever I try a Manhattan. In this case, the secondary vermouth cask actually works well with the sweet orange notes prevalent throughout the pour, creating a well balanced whiskey. If you are a fan of Tennessee whiskey, this one could be for you,  but I’d always recommend trying something at this price point first before buying.