The bourbon sample used for this review was provided at no cost, courtesy of the respective company.
Sausalito Liquor Co., a new brand in the bourbon industry, has released Unsinkable Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Cabernet Sauvignon Casks. The name “unsinkable” comes from the Liberty ships built in Sausalito during World War II. That is a mouthful, but located in California, it seems fitting for the bourbon to be finished in a used wine barrel.
Even though the bourbon has recently been released, it has already racked up accolades at the L.A. and San Diego Spirits Fevestials. The brand explains, “It is free from pretentiousness.”
Scott Jampol explains, “It’s okay that you don’t catch every nuance or identify every flavor. I just care that you like the way it makes you feel, much in the same way you can love a song or a piece of art without having to explain why.
REVIEW:
An undisclosed sourced bourbon that is pretty standard, 80% corn, 10% rye and 10% barley that mostly represents Tennesee whiskey. At 99 proof, it does fall into the sweet spot for most bourbon palates.
On the nose, there are floral and sweet aromas wafting up from the glass. The taste is sweet, which was expected due to the high corn percentage. It is hard to get a read on the profile as the tartness of the Cabernet Sauvignon finish overpowers the rest of the flavors. There are subtle hints of dark cherry, black pepper, and blackberry, but I believe that is from the finish, not the bourbon itself.
There is no age statement on the label nor how long it was finished in the secondary wine casks. The bourbon tastes young with an underdeveloped flavor. The website says, “The bourbon is well-aged.” Maybe it is, but the finish masks the bourbon’s flavor profile.
For a new offering, it is not bad at all. Wine drinkers who love bourbon should try a bottle, and at $54.99, it is inexpensive enough to take a chance and expand your collection.
This whiskey receives 3/5 Barrels.
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