Doc Swinson’s Exploratory Cask Moscatel Cask-Finished Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Doc Swinson’s Exploratory Cask Moscatel Cask-Finished Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a limited Exploratory Collection release from the Ferndale, Washington blending house: two five-year MGP bourbons — a high-rye 60/36/4 and a 75/21/4 — married after about five years ten months in new American oak, then finished nearly nine months in decades-old Moscatel de Setúbal casks from Portugal. Moscatel is a sweet, orange-and-apricot fortified wine; that cask is why this drinks like stone fruit on bourbon instead of another port finish. The current official batch is 115.3 proof. A generous sipper when the weather turns and the evening stretches.

Honey, caramel, and citrus lead, then dried apricot, sultanas, orange peel, and toffee. Toasted nuts and a sweet, textured close sit over oak tannin. The Moscatel adds dried fruit; the rye mash keeps it from turning into dessert syrup.