Caramel | Vanilla | Angel food cake | Toasted cinnamon | Oak

Burnt caramel | Spiced oak | Molasses | Vanilla

Tobacco | Black pepper | Black cherry | Barrel char | Leather

Purple Toad Winery & Distillery is located in Paducah, Kentucky, approximately 200 miles west of Bardstown, Kentucky. The company opened their doors in 2009, initially only selling wine from grapes grown on their vineyard. Only recently did they build an on-site still, unveiling their first clear spirits in December 2024. Beyond their fruit whiskeys, Purple Toad Winery & Distillery also sources Kentucky whiskeys that range from 6-11 years old.

This 7 year old Kentucky single barrel features a bold pour for its 118 proof point. The aroma is slightly misleading, offering soft notes of caramel, vanilla, and a delightful angel food cake scent. But from there, the whiskey kicks it up a notch. The palate is rich with burnt caramel against heavy spiced oak and rich molasses. The finish leads with tobacco, then layers in black pepper, black cherry, and potent barrel char that leads to a slightly bitter aftertaste.

Purple Toad 7 Year Straight Bourbon is a classic bourbon at heart, but offers just enough uniqueness to keep it interesting. It’s a bold barrel proof pour at 118 proof that really brings out its spiced oak, molasses, black pepper, and barrel char notes. Its price is where you’d expect it to be for being a sourced product, bottled at barrel proof. Distribution remains limited, but this release is an indication that Purple Toad doesn’t shy away from bold barrels.