Belle Meade Bourbon Madeira Cask Finish is the third release in Nelson's Green Brier Distillery's award winning Special Cask Finish Series, a high rye bourbon finished in casks that once held Malmsey Madeira. Malmsey is the richest and sweetest of the Madeira styles, renowned for honeyed depth and complexity that comes from the wine being cooked, fortified and aged in the time honored tradition of the island of Madeira. The Belle Meade name reaches back to one of 19th century Tennessee's most prominent whiskey families. Charles Nelson built a celebrated pre Prohibition distillery, and generations later his descendants Andy and Charlie Nelson revived the family business in Nashville, releasing bourbon once more under the historic Belle Meade brand. For this expression the team fills Malmsey Madeira casks with a blend of roughly six and nine year old bourbons built on a spicy, robust high rye mash bill of 64 percent corn, 30 percent rye and 6 percent malted barley. The fortified wine casks pair naturally with that rye backbone to create a striking profile unlike any other whiskey. Cut to 90.4 proof and never chill filtered, it preserves full texture and flavor. It pours a deep amber and opens floral on the nose with vanilla and hints of toffee, then moves into dark wildflower honey, vanilla, ripe persimmon, dried black cherry, caramelized sugar and baking spice across a soft, velvety palate, finishing with a gentle touch of malt and chocolate. Each release is a numbered small batch, and this bottle comes from batch 06.02. A San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold winner, it rewards slow sipping neat, drinks beautifully with a splash or over a sphere of ice, and lends a distinguished twist to a classic whiskey cocktail.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
Belle Meade |
| Distillery |
Nelson's Green Brier Distillery (bottler); distilled at MGP, Indiana |
| Category |
Bourbon (Malmsey Madeira cask finish) |
| Mashbill |
64% Corn, 30% Rye, 6% Malted Barley |
| Age |
Blend of 6 and 9 year old bourbons (no age statement) |
| Maturation |
New charred oak; finished in Malmsey Madeira casks |
| Batch |
06.02 (numbered small batch) |
| ABV |
45.2% |
| Proof |
90.4 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber.
Nose: Floral with vanilla and hints of toffee.
Palate: Dark wildflower honey, vanilla, ripe persimmon, dried black cherry, caramelized sugar and baking spice over a velvety mouthfeel.
Finish: Soft and lingering with a touch of malt and chocolate.
FAQ
What makes Belle Meade Madeira Cask Finish different? It is a high rye bourbon finished in Malmsey Madeira casks, the richest and sweetest Madeira style, which adds honeyed depth and dark fruit.
What proof is it? It is bottled at 45.2 percent alcohol by volume, which is 90.4 proof, and it is never chill filtered.
What is the mash bill? A high rye recipe of 64 percent corn, 30 percent rye and 6 percent malted barley, using a blend of six and nine year old bourbons.
Is this a batched release? Yes. It is blended and bottled in numbered small batches, so details can vary slightly batch to batch. This bottle is from batch 06.02.
How should I drink it? Neat, with a splash, over a sphere of ice, or in a classic whiskey cocktail.
Where can I buy Belle Meade Bourbon Malmsey Madeira Cask Finish online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
