Dark fruit | Cherries | Vanilla custard | Raisins | Leather | Dry | Unique & inviting with perfect intensity

Molasses | Caramel chews | Cigar box | Toasted marshmallows | Aged leather | Musty oak

Dash of black pepper spice | Dark fruit | Rum soaked raisins | Leather | Toffee | Walnut | Long & complex

Part of the ongoing limited edition Abraham Bowman series of experimental whiskeys, Rum Finished Bourbon was released on December 18 at the Virginia distillery and then through the Virginia ABC board lottery.

First aged for 9 years in white oak and then finished for an additional 6 years in rum casks (a total of 15 years), I expected an overwhelming rum influence. Instead, the rum flavors fuse almost perfectly with aged bourbon flavors, resulting in a base of aged bourbon complemented in all the right ways by sweet rum notes. At first its 100 proofpoint felt a little light, but after a few pours it opened up, revealing a complex and nuanced sip that benefits from its lack of heat and spice. Overall, it’s very well done, and there isn’t anything else that marries rum and bourbon so well while still maintaining a solid bourbon base quite like it.