The Top Small Batch Bourbon, According To The San Francisco World Spirits Competition
"Liberty & Plenty Distillery Bronze Bull Spirits Batch #5 Bourbon Finished in Madeira Barrels, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $70
This bourbon is a small-batch, experimental expression from a North Carolina craft distillery. After initial aging in new American oak, this bourbon is finished in ex-Madeira wine barrels, adding unique layers of flavor. Bottled at 100 proof, it offers boldness alongside complexity.
The nose features dried fruits, cherry preserves, honeycomb, leather, and a whiff of almond. The Madeira influence is unmistakable on the palate, featuring raisin bread, candied orange zest, toasted oak flavors, and a hint of clove, balanced by a robust bourbon backbone of caramel and vanilla. The finish is long and slightly tannic, offering echoes of spiced wine and fig jam.
It’s a bold, distinctive bourbon ideal for those seeking something outside the classic profile. The SFWSC Judging Panel described the whiskey as expressing:
“The aromas of cooked fruit, especially fig and raisin, have a noticeable Madeira-like aroma in the background. The palate features prominent raisin notes along with candied orange peel, caramel, and vanilla with a long, drying finish.”"
17 Sep 2025 · BLU DISTILLING
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