Barrell Private Release Hermann J. Wiemer Noble Select Josef Vineyard Riesling Barrel-Finished Kentucky Whiskey (Blend No. CH37)

A curious character of tart fruit pervades this whiskey with an unusual finishing cask starting with underripe blackberries on the nose; there’s also citrus vanilla jasmine orange blossom almonds in the shell and a scattering of dried herbs. Tart and citric on the palate—lemon juice underripe berries Granny Smith apples red plums—yet a dark richness of coffee bean bitter chocolate and oak offer a pleasing juxtaposition. The lengthy finish retains the interplay of tart fruit and richness until the final exhale.