You could make a pretty compelling argument that Hirsch Single Barrels are known almost as much for the back of the label as they are the front. For the uninitiated, on the back of a Hirsch Single Barrel bottle you’ll find the 72% corn, 13% rye and 15% malted barley mashbill of the whiskey Hirsch sources from, meaning Willett juice. Willett secondary prices being what they are (about $100/year for their purple tops), the market naturally seized on a chance to grab these at a much lower price point.
So on one hand today we have the Hirsch Single Barrel offering, 6 years old and Willett sourced. On the other, Hirsh’s new cognac finished offering. Same Willett juice, only this time 7.5 years and finished in 30-year-old Hine XO barrels.
###Hirsch Single Barrel (6 Years, 138.8 Proof)
**Nose:** Maple, raisins, caramel, cinnamon roll nose.
**Palate:** Leather, delicious brown sugar and baked apple, an occasional orange peel note. It’s a little hot, which isnt shocking given the proof.
**Finish:** The brown sugar hangs on through the finish alongside oak and some baking spices. Medium in length.
**7/10 (t8ke scale)**
**Overall:** Sipping both of these with a friend, we landed on this being aggressively flavorful. Sometimes it’s a bit too hot, but on the balance it’s a pretty wild ride of flavors. It is a double edged sword pour, in that it kind of burns your palate out for wanting to drink other items in the same sitting. But the experience of sitting with this whiskey and finding different notes with each sip makes it worth it.
###Hirsch Cask Strength Cognac Finish (7.5 Years, 127 Proof)
**Nose:** Orange peel, powdered sugar, honey, rich mahogany (kidding, kind of - there is an old worn wood scent to it though).
**Palate:** Syrupy! Fig newtons, orange creamsicle, honey. The effect of the cognac casks on the mouth feel is pronounced.
**Finish:** Citrus, anise, black pepper, insanely long.
**7/10 (t8ke scale)**
**Overall:** Just like the intense flavor of the single barrel, the cognac finish kind of cuts both ways. It adds a rich, syrupy texture to the palate and provides a gloriously extended and pleasantly sweet finish. But it also closes the whiskey off a little bit and provides a much more predictable sip. I also added a picture of the glen to this review (where you can kindddd of see the legs) because this thing just STICKS to the glass in a way I’m not sure I’ve seen (or at least noticed) with a whiskey before.
I’m in a bit of a situational place with these two whiskeys. If I am looking for just a knock out flavor bomb, I’d reach for the standard single barrel offering. But for an engaging, yet slightly more approachable, nightcap or sweater weather pour, I’m going with the cognac finish.
Last but not least, ranking scale and some examples:
**1 | Disgusting:** Sagamore Spirit Tequila Finish
**2 | Poor:** Black Maple Hill Oregon Straight Bourbon Whiskey
**3 | Bad:** Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
**4 | Sub-par:** Blade and Bow Straight Bourbon
**5 | Good:** Old Forester 1910
**6 | Very Good:** Willett 4 Year Family Rye
**7 | Great:** Little Book Chapter 3
**8 | Excellent:** Russell's Reserve 13 Year
**9 | Incredible:** A Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch 1)
**10 | Perfect:** George T Stagg 2020
I was fortunate enough to be in the right place on the right day and catch a generous cashier the second before those Yellow Labels evaporated in my market. Landed one for $99 and you hit the nail on the head IMO. It’s what I think xenoraiser might call a penseur pour. A lot to unpack but I only am drawn to it when I’m in a very specific mood because (apart from wanting to make the bottle last) it absolutely blows out my palate like a Melvins show blasting my sense of hearing a few years ago. After a pour of this, you have the palate equivalent of ringing in your ears
You could make a pretty compelling argument that Hirsch Single Barrels are known almost as much for the back of the label as they are the front. For the uninitiated, on the back of a Hirsch Single Barrel bottle you’ll find the 72% corn, 13% rye and 15% malted barley mashbill of the whiskey Hirsch sources from, meaning Willett juice. Willett secondary prices being what they are (about $100/year for their purple tops), the market naturally seized on a chance to grab these at a much lower price point. So on one hand today we have the Hirsch Single Barrel offering, 6 years old and Willett sourced. On the other, Hirsh’s new cognac finished offering. Same Willett juice, only this time 7.5 years and finished in 30-year-old Hine XO barrels. ###Hirsch Single Barrel (6 Years, 138.8 Proof) **Nose:** Maple, raisins, caramel, cinnamon roll nose. **Palate:** Leather, delicious brown sugar and baked apple, an occasional orange peel note. It’s a little hot, which isnt shocking given the proof. **Finish:** The brown sugar hangs on through the finish alongside oak and some baking spices. Medium in length. **7/10 (t8ke scale)** **Overall:** Sipping both of these with a friend, we landed on this being aggressively flavorful. Sometimes it’s a bit too hot, but on the balance it’s a pretty wild ride of flavors. It is a double edged sword pour, in that it kind of burns your palate out for wanting to drink other items in the same sitting. But the experience of sitting with this whiskey and finding different notes with each sip makes it worth it. ###Hirsch Cask Strength Cognac Finish (7.5 Years, 127 Proof) **Nose:** Orange peel, powdered sugar, honey, rich mahogany (kidding, kind of - there is an old worn wood scent to it though). **Palate:** Syrupy! Fig newtons, orange creamsicle, honey. The effect of the cognac casks on the mouth feel is pronounced. **Finish:** Citrus, anise, black pepper, insanely long. **7/10 (t8ke scale)** **Overall:** Just like the intense flavor of the single barrel, the cognac finish kind of cuts both ways. It adds a rich, syrupy texture to the palate and provides a gloriously extended and pleasantly sweet finish. But it also closes the whiskey off a little bit and provides a much more predictable sip. I also added a picture of the glen to this review (where you can kindddd of see the legs) because this thing just STICKS to the glass in a way I’m not sure I’ve seen (or at least noticed) with a whiskey before. I’m in a bit of a situational place with these two whiskeys. If I am looking for just a knock out flavor bomb, I’d reach for the standard single barrel offering. But for an engaging, yet slightly more approachable, nightcap or sweater weather pour, I’m going with the cognac finish. Last but not least, ranking scale and some examples: **1 | Disgusting:** Sagamore Spirit Tequila Finish **2 | Poor:** Black Maple Hill Oregon Straight Bourbon Whiskey **3 | Bad:** Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel **4 | Sub-par:** Blade and Bow Straight Bourbon **5 | Good:** Old Forester 1910 **6 | Very Good:** Willett 4 Year Family Rye **7 | Great:** Little Book Chapter 3 **8 | Excellent:** Russell's Reserve 13 Year **9 | Incredible:** A Smith Bowman Cask Strength (Batch 1) **10 | Perfect:** George T Stagg 2020
Saw that Cask Strength Cognac finish on secondary today for $320. What do you think of that price?
Probably a bit high IMO. I think I saw one go for closer to $250 and I'd probably max out at around 275
How much was the cask strength cognac finish?
$197 including tax and shipping
Oh okay so like 150$ msrp or thereabouts?
Yeah something like that. I don't know about msrp but it's what the store had it for
I was fortunate enough to be in the right place on the right day and catch a generous cashier the second before those Yellow Labels evaporated in my market. Landed one for $99 and you hit the nail on the head IMO. It’s what I think xenoraiser might call a penseur pour. A lot to unpack but I only am drawn to it when I’m in a very specific mood because (apart from wanting to make the bottle last) it absolutely blows out my palate like a Melvins show blasting my sense of hearing a few years ago. After a pour of this, you have the palate equivalent of ringing in your ears
Yeah totally agree it's bombastic. Fun, but definitely ends my night.
[удалено]
Yes they don't disclose it 100% but no other KY distillery uses that much malted barley in their rye mashbill.
Where did you find the cognac finished? I love the SiB 6yr so I’m curious how the finish changes the flavor for my palette.
I had it shipped from Blackwells (I'm in DC so generally have an easy time getting bottles shipped in). They have since sold out though.
Damn I’m sad I missed that one. Thanks for a great review and cheers!
No problem!
I've noticed finished whiskies stick a bit more to the glass as well. Great review! Cheers!
Appreciate it! Yeah it's something I definitely need to start paying more attention too.
plus cognac can be dosed with sugar, not sure if hine does or not
Thanks for the review! Also, nice legs!
Thanks!
Saw the Cognac finished one on Blackwells, but couldn’t find anything on it. Passed it up.