Pinhook Bourbon War 7 Year is the fourth of nine annual releases in the brand's acclaimed Bourbon Vertical Series, one of the most compelling long form experiments in American whiskey. The series follows a single lot of 1,350 high rye bourbon barrels distilled at MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, as they age from four years all the way to twelve, with one vintage bottled each year so drinkers can taste precisely how the same whiskey evolves over nearly a decade. Each release is named for the thoroughbred Bourbon War, a bay colt foaled in 2016, in keeping with Pinhook's deep ties to Kentucky horse racing. Built on a classic high rye mashbill of 75 percent corn, 20.5 percent rye, and 4.5 percent malted barley, this seven year old expression was aged, blended, and bottled at the restored Castle and Key Distillery in Frankfort by Pinhook co founder and Master Blender Sean Josephs. Notably, Josephs chose to bottle this vintage at cask strength after tasting it at several lower proofs, finding the full 115 proof to be the best expression of the barrels, a decision that makes it the highest proof release in the series to that point. The cooler brick and concrete aging environment at Castle and Key caused the barrels to gradually shed proof from a 120 entry strength, and Josephs noted optimism that the gentle aging would carry the whiskey to twelve years without becoming overly woody. A Double Gold winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Bourbon War 7 Year is rich and opulent, with the added maturity bringing deeper dried fruit and baking spice. Bottled non chill filtered, it is a coating, complex pour and a standout chapter in a genuinely collectible vertical journey.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
Pinhook |
| Distillery |
Distilled at MGP, Lawrenceburg, Indiana; aged, blended, and bottled at Castle and Key, Frankfort, Kentucky |
| Producer |
Pinhook Bourbon |
| Category |
Straight Bourbon Whiskey, High Rye, Cask Strength |
| Expression |
Bourbon War, Vertical Series (7 Year, vintage 4 of 9) |
| Age Statement |
7 Years |
| Mashbill |
75% Corn, 20.5% Rye, 4.5% Malted Barley |
| Maturation |
Aged 7 years in new charred oak (brick and concrete warehouse at Castle and Key) |
| Bottling |
Cask strength, non chill filtered, blend of approximately 130 barrels |
| ABV |
57.5% |
| Proof |
115 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky (sourced from Indiana) |
Tasting Notes
Color: Rich amber with copper highlights.
Nose: Freshly baked raisin bread, dark dried fruit, brown butter, and burnt sugar, with a high proof ethanol lift.
Palate: Rich and coating, with spiced ginger cookie, dried fig, molasses, and a hint of eucalyptus over a spice forward base.
Finish: Bold and long, with lingering sweet spice and earthy oak.
FAQ
What is the Vertical Series? It follows one group of MGP barrels as they age from four to twelve years, with an annual release each year so drinkers can experience how the same whiskey develops over time. The 7 Year is the fourth of nine.
Why is it bottled at 115 proof? Master Blender Sean Josephs tasted it at several lower proofs and found cask strength at 115 to be the best expression, making it the highest proof in the series to that point.
What is the mashbill? A high rye recipe of 75 percent corn, 20.5 percent rye, and 4.5 percent malted barley, distilled at MGP in Indiana.
Has it won any awards? Yes. Bourbon War 7 Year earned a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Is it chill filtered? No. It is bottled non chill filtered at cask strength.
Where can I buy Pinhook Bourbon War 7 Year online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
