Ezra Brooks 99 Port Wine Cask Finish Bourbon Whiskey (75cl, 49.5%)

Ezra Brooks 99 Port Wine Cask Finish is a Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 49.5% ABV (99 proof) in a 750ml bottle. It is made at Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown from a mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye and 12% malt. After its standard ageing, the bourbon rested a further six months in port wine casks from Portugal. Master Distiller John Rempe wanted to set the spicy rye character against the sweeter, dark fruit of port. It is the first in a planned annual series of cask finishes for the 99 range, and a special label colour marks the port casks. Expect vanilla, tobacco and leather on the nose, then sweet port fruit with dark chocolate on the palate, and rye spice running underneath through to the finish.