Jefferson's has built its reputation on finishing, and the Pritchard Hill Cabernet Cask Finish is the most specific expression of that idea in the range. The casks come from Chappellet Winery in Napa Valley and previously held Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, and the provenance genuinely matters here. Pritchard Hill is a hillside site on the eastern side of the valley, planted in thin rocky soil at elevation, and the Cabernet it produces is dense, structured and tannic in a way valley floor fruit is not. Casks that held wine of that concentration behave differently from generic red wine barrels: they are French oak rather than American, so the tannin structure is finer, and what they contribute is dark fruit and grip rather than simple sweetness. The whiskey underneath is a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys, made in very small batches and selected by master blender Trey Zoeller, whose signature appears on the front label. What the finishing produces is a bourbon that keeps its caramel and vanilla core while picking up blackcurrant, dark cherry and a dry tannic edge that pulls the sweetness back. The nose runs caramel, oak and red fruit; the palate is rich and layered, with dark berry and baking spice over toffee; and the finish is long and dry, closing on wine cask tannin rather than sugar. Bottled at 45.1 percent alcohol by volume, or 90.2 proof, which is enough to carry the finish without needing water. Neat or over a large cube, and a natural pour alongside a steak or a good cheese board.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
45.1% |
| Proof |
90.2 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky |
| Brand |
Jefferson's Reserve |
| Master Blender |
Trey Zoeller |
| Category |
Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys |
| Expression |
Pritchard Hill Cabernet Cask Finish |
| Production |
Very small batch |
| Finish |
French oak casks from Chappellet Winery that previously held Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber with a red cast.
Nose: Caramel and toasted oak lead, with dark red fruit, blackcurrant and vanilla behind.
Palate: Rich and layered. Toffee and vanilla carry dark cherry and berry, with baking spice and a firm tannic grip through the middle.
Finish: Long and dry, closing on wine cask tannin, oak and lingering dark fruit.
FAQ
Q: What casks is it finished in?
A: French oak casks from Chappellet Winery in Napa Valley that previously held Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon.
Q: Why does the cask provenance matter?
A: Pritchard Hill is a hillside Napa site producing dense, structured Cabernet. Casks that held wine of that concentration contribute dark fruit and tannic grip rather than simple sweetness, and being French oak they bring a finer tannin structure than American oak.
Q: What proof is it?
A: 90.2 proof, which is 45.1 percent alcohol by volume.
Q: Is it a single bourbon?
A: No. The label states it is a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys, produced in very small batches.
Q: Is anything added to give it the fruit character?
A: No. The dark fruit comes from the wine cask finish. Nothing is added to the whiskey.
Q: Where can I buy Jefferson's Reserve Pritchard Hill online?
A: Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
