Wenzel Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon Batch 2 Review

Wenzel Distillery
Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Finished in Sherry Casks
Batch 2
119.1 Proof
SRP: $109
Review

Please enjoy my Wenzel Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon (Batch 2) Review!

Background – Wenzel Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon (Batch 2) Review

Wenzel Distillery, based in Covington, Kentucky, is a relatively new operation that has quickly gained recognition. In fact, Batch 1 of this expression was named World’s Best Finished Bourbon at the World Whiskies Awards 2025! While the brand is based in Kentucky, the bourbon itself was originally distilled in Georgia at Ghost Coast Distillery before being acquired and further developed by Wenzel.

This release builds on that initial success, blending Ghost Coast distilled bourbons aged at least seven years and finishing them in ex-Oloroso sherry casks. What sets Batch 2 apart is the range of finishing times, from 9 months up to 36 months. Some of the bourbon remained in finishing casks far longer than typical due to the timing of Wenzel’s acquisition of Ghost Coast’s equipment and inventory, and the relocation of same to Kentucky.

Details – Wenzel Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon (Batch 2) Review

• Distillery: Wenzel Distillery
• Originally Distilled At: Ghost Coast Distillery, Georgia
• Type: Finished Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Finish: Oloroso Sherry Casks
• Batch: Batch 2
• Blend: Barrels of varying ages (minimum 7 years)
• Age: 7+ Years
• Finishing Time: 9 to 36 months
• Proof: 119.1
• SRP: $109
• Release Size: 679 bottles

Tasting Notes – Wenzel Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon (Batch 2) Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻 Nose: Full and mildly sweet; dark fruit forward, with dark plums, dark berries & raisins; tart orange citrus increases over time; hints of sugar cookies; burnt caramel; dry wood; alcohol vapor appropriate for the proof
👉🏻 Taste: Mildly sweet at first; red wine and sherry; tart raspberries; tart orange peel; hints of dry wood; raisins later on
👉🏻 Finish: Lingering red wine and raisins; increasingly dry with tannins & moderate capsaicin spice; long with lasting spice, red wine, orange peel and dry wood; pleasant warmth

Rich Dark Fruit and Sherry-Forward Profile

Wenzel Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon is a complex, layered dark fruit, red wine and sherry forward pour. Initially in the nose, dark fruits are in the forefront; there are dark plums, dark berries, and raisins. As time goes on, tart orange citrus becomes increasingly evident. In addition, there are subtle notes of sugar cookies that seem to come and go, all on a background of mildly sweet burnt caramel.

The taste is more red wine forward, with sherry notes and hints of dry wood. As it develops, tart raspberries and orange peel come forward, and raisins become more noticeable later on. Those raisins, dark fruit and wine notes carry into the finish, where they linger before gradually giving way to an increasingly dry and spicy mouthfeel. The capsaicin spice builds and lasts for quite a while, alongside lingering red wine notes, orange peels, and dry wood.

Having said all that, the flavors do vary in intensity and dominance from sip to sip.

Extended Sherry Finishing Influence

The long finishing time is evident in this bourbon, with the flavors of the sherry casks prominent from start to finish. While the 7+ year old base bourbon is there adding body, its flavors are dominated by the sherry notes.

That is not unexpected, given that some barrels were finished for up to three years. This extended time resulted from Ghost Coast filling the barrels, followed by Wenzel purchasing, moving, and ultimately storing them at their own distillery before blending and bottling. As a result, some barrels spent far longer than usual in the secondary casks, allowing the Oloroso sherry influence to permeate the bourbon much more fully. In addition, during their time in transit between Georgia and Kentucky, the bourbon was subjected to plenty of sloshing around in those barrels, picking up flavor, and some oxidation, along the way.

A Complex, Layered, Wine-Forward Bourbon – Wenzel Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon (Batch 2) Review

I am very much enjoying this bourbon’s rich flavors and fruit. This is one for those who enjoy a wine-finish-forward bourbon. There is not much subtlety in the finishing here.

If those full red wine and sherry-forward notes are something you enjoy, you will definitely want to give this bourbon a try! Have you tried Wenzel Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon (Batch 2)? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Wenzel Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon (Batch 2) Review! If you would like to read about some other sherry cask finished bourbons, check out these reviews: 15 STARS Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon Review, Oaklore Story Series Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon Review, and Pursuit United Sherry Finished Rye Review.

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

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