Michigan-based Traverse City Whiskey Co. announced the release of the TCWC Finishing Series.
This trio of whiskey types includes traditional bourbon, spicy rye, and a high rye bourbon finished in Port Barrels, Cab Franc Cask, and Pedro Ximenez Sherry, respectively. Bottles are available individually, but buying the set and exploring how the different finishes impart flavors on these whiskeys is way more fun. Michiganders and visitors can purchase the bottles at the Traverse City-based distillery, but the rest of us can buy them online here.
Let’s take a quick look at what’s in the bottle.
Traverse City Port Barrel Finish Bourbon
Vitals: 100 Proof (55% ABV); $60
This Port Barrel Finish expression is bourbon made from TCWC’s mashbill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. This whiskey is aged for five years in charred virgin oak before finishing in 79-gallon Ruby Port wine barrels for about one year. Expect stone fruit, buttercream, and orange aromas, leading to vanilla, fennel, and signature tart cherry flavors.
Traverse City Cab Franc Barrel Finish Rye
Vitals: 97.5 proof (48.75% ABV); $60
Here, we have a 100% rye grain recipe also aged five years and finished almost 12 months in Cabernet Franc barrels sourced from a local Michigan winery. Sweet cherries, lemongrass, wintergreen, and milk chocolate meet the olfactory, while caraway seed, sesame, and bitter orange are on the palate. The sip concludes with an oaky, chocolatey finish.
Traverse City Sherry Barrel Finish Bourbon
Vitals: 95 proof (47.5% ABV)
Here is a high rye bourbon recipe comprised of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley, also aged for five years in new American Oak barrels and transferred into a Spanish Pedro Ximenez sherry wine barrel. The nose is complex, featuring caramel, root beer, cinnamon, and raisin aromas. The palate is delicate and nutty with flecks of vanilla and cardamom and concludes with a mild finish of rye bread and tobacco.
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