| Category | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
|---|---|
| Country | Region | Frankfort, Kentucky | USA |
| Distillery | Castle & Key Distillery |
| Age statement | 5yrs |
| Alcohol % | Proof | 58% | 116 pf |
| Release | Modern Liquor private selection |
| Mash bill | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Cask type | New charred American oak |
| Price point | $65 |
| Bottle status | Active |
Pinhook 5-Year Cask Strength Bourbon | Modern Liquor Private Selection
Appearance / Color
Deep copper with amber highlights and slow, substantial legs
Nose / Aroma / Smell
Vanilla, brown sugar, baked apple, and butterscotch lead, supported by cinnamon, toasted oak, and orange peel. Additional air can reveal darker accents of cherry, cocoa, cedar, and black pepper. The youthful grain remains present but is integrated beneath the sweeter barrel notes.
Flavor / Taste / Palate
A strong opening of caramelized sugar, vanilla, and candied cinnamon moves into baked apple, orange zest, and dark cherry. Rye spice builds through the middle with black pepper, nutmeg, and dry oak. The texture is coating and substantial, with the proof carrying sweetness and spice evenly across the palate.
Finish
Long, warm, and increasingly dry. Vanilla and butterscotch linger beneath cinnamon, pepper, charred oak, and dark cocoa. A few drops of water should soften the spice while bringing caramel, honey, and fruit forward.
Overview This five-year bourbon comes from Pinhook’s own custom distillate produced and aged at Castle & Key. The 15% rye component adds pepper, cinnamon, citrus, and herbal lift to a foundation of vanilla, caramelized sugar, apple, and oak. As a private cask-strength selection, the Modern Liquor release should present a more concentrated and individual barrel profile than Pinhook’s standard annual blend. Modern Liquor and George’s Liquors are sister Oklahoma City stores under the same ownership, explaining the connection between the two names. Overall Impression A bold but approachable cask-strength bourbon that delivers more maturity and barrel character than its five-year age might suggest. Its strongest qualities are concentrated vanilla sweetness, lively rye spice, and a persistent finish. Any youthful grain or sharpness is best managed with a longer rest or a small amount of water. Community Reception The five-year cask-strength line is frequently praised for its value, syrupy texture, vanilla-heavy finish, and manageable heat. Single-barrel selections can vary significantly: sweeter barrels emphasize maple, brown sugar, cherry, and cocoa, while spicier barrels lean toward orange peel, black pepper, char, and dry oak.
Pinhook 5-Year Cask Strength Bourbon | Modern Liquor Private Selection
- Category
- Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Distillery
- Castle & Key Distillery
- Country | Region
- Frankfort, Kentucky | USA
- Age Statement
- 5yrs
- Alcohol / Proof
- 58% / 116 pf
- Price Point
- $65
- Mash Bill
- 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley
- Cask Type
- New charred American oak
- Release
- Modern Liquor private selection
Appearance
Deep copper with amber highlights and slow, substantial legs
Nose
Vanilla, brown sugar, baked apple, and butterscotch lead, supported by cinnamon, toasted oak, and orange peel. Additional air can reveal darker accents of cherry, cocoa, cedar, and black pepper. The youthful grain remains present but is integrated beneath the sweeter barrel notes.
Palate
A strong opening of caramelized sugar, vanilla, and candied cinnamon moves into baked apple, orange zest, and dark cherry. Rye spice builds through the middle with black pepper, nutmeg, and dry oak. The texture is coating and substantial, with the proof carrying sweetness and spice evenly across the palate.
Finish
Long, warm, and increasingly dry. Vanilla and butterscotch linger beneath cinnamon, pepper, charred oak, and dark cocoa. A few drops of water should soften the spice while bringing caramel, honey, and fruit forward.
Overview This five-year bourbon comes from Pinhook’s own custom distillate produced and aged at Castle & Key. The 15% rye component adds pepper, cinnamon, citrus, and herbal lift to a foundation of vanilla, caramelized sugar, apple, and oak. As a private cask-strength selection, the Modern Liquor release should present a more concentrated and individual barrel profile than Pinhook’s standard annual blend. Modern Liquor and George’s Liquors are sister Oklahoma City stores under the same ownership, explaining the connection between the two names. Overall Impression A bold but approachable cask-strength bourbon that delivers more maturity and barrel character than its five-year age might suggest. Its strongest qualities are concentrated vanilla sweetness, lively rye spice, and a persistent finish. Any youthful grain or sharpness is best managed with a longer rest or a small amount of water. Community Reception The five-year cask-strength line is frequently praised for its value, syrupy texture, vanilla-heavy finish, and manageable heat. Single-barrel selections can vary significantly: sweeter barrels emphasize maple, brown sugar, cherry, and cocoa, while spicier barrels lean toward orange peel, black pepper, char, and dry oak.
Pinhook 5-Year Cask Strength Bourbon | Modern Liquor Private Selection tasting sheet