I.W. Harper - Bourbon Whiskey - Finished in Cabernet Casks
$45
I.W. Harper – Bourbon Whiskey – Finished in Cabernet Casks
Proof: 90
Age: NAS
Distillery: I.W. Harper Distilling Company (New Bernheim Distillery) – Bottled in Tullahoma, TN
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Cabernet Cask Finished
Mash: Unknown
Website: I.W. Harper
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Caramel, Leather, Raisins, Dark Fruits/Grapes, and a touch of Vanilla.
Taste/Palate: As similarly sweet as the Nose presents. Very little heat. Dark Fruits, Caramel, Vanilla, very light Cinnamon Spice and a touch of Anise.
Finish: This dram drops off in the finish. You don’t pick up much other than what’s on the nose and palate. The prior characteristics meld and hang out in the background for a bit, but I can’t pick up anything additional. The Dark Fruits are most dominant on the finish.
Verdict: This is a very good sipper, but it falls a little flat. I’m a big fan of IW Harper standard for a mixer and IW Harper 15 as a great aged sipper. This one to me is the standard offering with a little extra time being finished and put into the IH Harper 15 style bottle. It gives the presentation more class, but it doesn’t give it more complexity that comes with needed age. This is smooth, but the cask finish is dominant. Other than a little leather on the nose, this lacks overall complexity and is slightly overpowered by the cask finish. I would appreciate a couple more base years and a little less time finishing.
The Story: This one was recommended by the store owner. “Do you like IW Harper 15? You’ll love this then” (The store owners advice was unsolicited by the way). I think based on bottle style selection this might be part of the marketing. I feel like I personally needed more out of this. You may love this, if you like sweeter drams. I think the store owner should have said “you like Angels Envy Port Finish?”. This presents itself much different than the 15 due to the finish and lack of additional complexity. I would consider this an after dinner drinker paired with a sweet dessert. I would use in application similar to Port Wine.
The Distillery’s Story: Founded by Isaac Wolfe Bernheim, a Germain Immigrant to the US in 1867 with nothing more than 4 dollars in his pocket. He co-founded Bernheim Brothers and that’s when they started to produce whiskey known as I.W. Harper. In the 1990’s there was a high quality whiskey demand in Asia and that’s when the brand started selling exclusively overseas.
IW Harper has been around for a LONG time (1872), but for the majority of my life they only offered their bottles on the international market. In 2015 they expanded their footprint and included the USA again. It is distilled at New Bernheim Distillery (Heaven Hill) and aged Stitzel-Weller Distillery then finally bottled in TN. Diageo purchased the I.W. Harper brand and they are the reason why we can find I.W. Harper on the shelves domestically. I thank them for that.
IW Harper previously consisted of 2 offerings. They have a standard Premium Rail bourbon that usually finds itself in the $20’s price point and they have their 15 year aged Bourbon that can be found from $65-$80 in many retail locations. The cabernet finish is the newest and third installment to the series making it a trio. The word is out on IW Harper and the 15 Year is actively hunted now. They can now use their good name to lift up their new products. In my opinion the Cabernet Cask finish which I found for $45 is smack dab in the middle. It’s not overpriced, but I don’t think it is worth 50% more than their standard offering. I’m doing IW Harper an injustice through. Comparing it against itself. If I were to compare to lets say an Angels Envy, I can honestly say I’d take the IW Harper over the Angels Envy Port Finish.
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Solid. It hit all of what’s expected.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Reviewer: David S
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