HK Young Single Barrel Bourbon Review | Cinnamon Twist

HK Young
“Cinnamon Twist”
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Finished In A Second Toasted Barrel
Single Barrel | Barrel Proof
123.8 Proof
SRP: $89.99
Review by Craig & Cynthia

Please enjoy our HK Young Single Barrel Bourbon Review by Craig & Cynthia! This is a barrel selection by Cinnamon Twist and is exclusively available in Wyoming.

Background

HK Young was founded in 2024 by bourbon enthusiasts Cole Hanna, Spencer Kilijian, and Tyler Young, who launched the brand with two non-negotiable rules for their spirits: every bottle must be distilled in Kentucky and undergo a toasted barrel finish.

To achieve their signature deep and sweet profile, HK Young finishes sourced Kentucky bourbon in secondary toasted barrels. These specialized releases often utilize wave staves and proprietary toasted barrels developed in partnership with Independent Stave Company to ensure a truly distinct finish.

For this release, HK Young utilized sourced Kentucky bourbon that was finished in a second toasted oak barrel. This particular Single Barrel selection, chosen by Cinnamon Twist, uses a Medium Toast Hybrid Oak Char #1 finishing barrel.

Details – HK Young Single Barrel Bourbon Review

• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Style: Single Barrel | Barrel Proof
• Age: 7 Years, 6 Months
• Proof: 123.8
• Finishing Barrel: Medium Toast Hybrid Oak Char #1
• Selected By: Cinnamon Twist
• Distilled & Aged: Kentucky
• SRP: $89.99

Tasting Notes – HK Young Single Barrel Bourbon Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass
🎨 Color: Medium to light copper with beautiful red tones throughout

Craig

👉🏻 Nose: Barrel char, aged honey, light corn, bread pudding. Adding water brings out more floral notes
👉🏻 Palate: Candied pecans, caramelized sugars, aromatic baking spices
👉🏻 Finish: Long

Cynthia

👉🏻 Nose: Plum jam and red wine
👉🏻 Palate: Peppery & Savory
👉🏻 Finish: Long

Detailed Tasting Notes

Craig

👉🏻 Nose: Right out of the gate, HK Young Single Barrel Bourbon “Cinnamon Twist” smells like Sunday morning. You get that thick, sweet bread pudding and aged honey vibe, but there’s also a hint of light corn and a bit of burnt wood (char) that keeps it from being too sugary. It’s got a solid backbone. Add a splash of water: It completely changes. The heavy stuff fades away, and it starts smelling much lighter. Almost like fresh tropical flowers.

👉🏻 Taste: This bourbon has some “chew” to it. It’s heavy on the bread and dried spices, but then it gets interesting: it tastes a lot like a savory steak rub or a crack of black pepper. It’s not your typical caramel-bomb; it’s got a bit of a salty, spicy kick. Right at the end, you get a little bit of that floral sweetness again. Add a splash of water: This is where the magic happens. All that peppery steak spice turns into a glazed donut. You get a hit of cashew nuttiness and a little bit of tobacco on the back end. It goes from a savory dinner to a sweet dessert just by adding a few drops of water.

👉🏻 Finish: It sticks around for a good while (medium-long). It’s warm, a little bit dry, and leaves you with that nice toasted feeling in your throat.

Cynthia

👉🏻 Nose: This is a deep and rich aromatic experience. It is remarkably similar to a red wine such as a Zinfandel and carries lovely notes of plum jam. The scent is very inviting.

👉🏻 Taste: The first taste is a peppery and savory experience. Each following sip feels explosive with a wide variety of spices. After I added a few drops of water I caught a whiff of a dry smoky cigar and the flavors became much more defined. It immediately reminds me of Central California iconic Santa Maria Rub often used for a tri-tip cookout when I was growing up in that area. Then a hit of brown sugar appeared in the background. I love how these layers of flavor hit the front as well as the back of my palate.

👉🏻 Finish: The finish of HK Young Single Barrel Bourbon “Cinnamon Twist” is robust and with savory grilling notes while the sweetness of the brown sugar provides a lovely balance. It is a complex journey that stays with you long after the sip is gone.

Savory Spice, Bread Pudding & Plum Jam With A Surprising Transition With Water

Craig

This bourbon is a bit of a wild ride, and I mean that in the best way possible. It starts off feeling like a hearty meal—full of bread pudding, char, and a spicy kick that reminds you of a savory steak rub. It’s bold, bready, and has enough black pepper punch to keep things interesting.

But the real reason to keep this bottle on your shelf is how it changes with a splash of water. Watching it transform from a peppery, savory pour into a sweet glazed donut with a hint of cashew and tobacco is a fun experience.

If you’re tired of bourbons that just taste like plain caramel, this is your move. It’s got grit, it’s got personality, and it’s two totally different drinks depending on whether you take it neat or with a couple of drops of water. It’s a perfect example of why we take the time to really nose and taste what’s in the glass. Sometimes the best flavors are hiding just under the surface.

Cynthia

This bourbon is an absolute pleasure that continuously evolves in the glass. It perfectly balances a subtle sweetness with a robust, savory edge that keeps you guessing, proving that this is not a one-dimensional bourbon.

The real surprise occurs when you add a few drops of water, as the entire profile shifts in an unexpected direction and the flavors become even more defined. It is the perfect bottle to share with other bourbon enthusiasts because there is so much to discover and discuss in every pour.

A Bold & Multi-Faceted Bourbon Experience – HK Young Single Barrel Bourbon Review

Craig

Honestly, this bourbon is kind of a wild ride because it’s like two totally different drinks depending on how you pour it. If you drink it straight, it’s got this heavy, chewy vibe that reminds me of a big Sunday breakfast mixed with a savory steak dinner. Lots of black pepper and that charred wood taste that keeps it from being too sweet.

But the second you drop a little water in there, the whole thing flips. It goes from being spicy and salty to tasting like a glazed donut with a bit of cashew and tobacco… very cool! It’s got a solid, warm finish that hangs around for a while. If you’re into spirits that change in the glass and don’t just taste like basic caramel, this one is definitely worth keeping on the shelf.

Cynthia

I am impressed by the stunning contrast between the jammy red wine nose and the savory spiced palate. It is a bold and spirited bourbon that keeps me coming back to discover every hidden layer of flavor.

The nod to the Santa Maria Rub and Central California makes this such a personal and memorable experience for me. I love that a bourbon can be this explosive and savory while still offering the surprise of brown sugar and plum. This is a truly lovely selection that stands out in any collection because of its unique profile and exceptional depth.

HK Young Single Barrel Bourbon “Cinnamon Twist” is a fun adventure for anyone who loves a unique pour. You really need to experience these wild layers for yourself. And, if you live in or visit Wyoming, you may have that opportunity. Unfortunately, everyone else will have to live vicariously, although you may get lucky and find your own special HK Young Single Barrel Bourbon one day!

Have you tried HK Young Single Barrel Bourbon? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our HK Young Single Barrel Bourbon Review! Next, read this related review by Craig & Cynthia: HK Young Wheated Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon Review and these reviews: HK Young Toasted Small Batch Bourbon Review | Batch 2 and HK Young Toasted Barrel Blend Bourbon Review | “No Time For Rye”.

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand for our review. We appreciate it!

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!