Rare Perfection 10 Year Old Vintage 2016 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Cask Strength 750ml

Rare Perfection 10 Year Old Vintage 2016 is a cask strength, unfiltered Kentucky straight bourbon from Preservation Distillery in Bardstown, and the debut of the brand's Vintage Hermitage Collection. It comes from the same cult house behind Very Olde St. Nick, founded by Marci Palatella, who built her reputation in the 1980s and 1990s hunting down forgotten barrels of extraordinary long aged American whiskey and bottling them at full proof without apology. This release continues that obsessive pursuit of maturity. The barrels were originally evaluated for the Rare Perfection 8 Year release, then personally selected by Palatella and Master of Maturation Kyle Lloyd to keep aging through two additional Kentucky summer cycles, the most punishing and transformative seasons a bourbon barrel can face. All of the whiskey was distilled in 2016 from a traditional Kentucky mash bill of corn, rye and malted barley, and it is released in tiny micro batches of just one to three barrels, so once a vintage sells out it is not reproduced. It is bottled unfiltered and undiluted straight from the barrel, and because it is barrel proof the exact strength varies slightly from batch to batch, with this release falling in the 128 to 131 proof range. It pours a deep mahogany and opens with a big, enveloping nose of dark praline, snickerdoodle, toffee, barrel char and seasoned oak. The palate is rich and dessert like, layering maple syrup, chocolate fudge, brown sugar, cinnamon spice, leather and roasted nuts, and the finish is long and building, with spice, charred oak and light leather riding out a mature, sweet core. A patient, powerful, genuinely limited bourbon, it is best enjoyed neat with time to open, and a few drops of water to widen the aromatics.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Deep mahogany.

Nose: Dark praline, snickerdoodle, Heath Bar toffee, barrel char and seasoned oak.

Palate: Rich maple syrup, chocolate fudge, brown sugar, cinnamon spice, leather and roasted nuts.

Finish: Long and building with spice, charred oak and light leather.

FAQ

What is Rare Perfection 10 Year Old Vintage 2016? It is a cask strength, unfiltered Kentucky straight bourbon from Preservation Distillery, distilled in 2016 and aged 10 years, released as the first of the Vintage Hermitage Collection.

What proof is this bottle? It is bottled at barrel proof, with this release ranging from 128 to 131 proof. Because it is a small batch barrel proof bourbon, the exact figure varies by batch and is recorded per bottle.

Is this a Kentucky bourbon or a Canadian whisky? This 10 Year is a Kentucky straight bourbon. Note that the separate Rare Perfection 14 and 15 Year releases are Canadian whiskies, so do not confuse them.

How limited is it? It is released in micro batches of just one to three barrels, and once a vintage sells out it is not reproduced.

How should I drink it? Neat, with several minutes to open, and an optional few drops of water to soften the proof.

Where can I buy Rare Perfection 10 Year Old Vintage 2016 Kentucky Straight Bourbon online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.