Doc Swinson’s 5-Year-Old Exploratory Cask Moscatel is a blended straight bourbon whiskey created by combining two MGP mash bills and finishing in decades-old Moscatel de Setúbal casks from Portugal. The base bourbon uses mash bills of 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley and 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley, aged at least five years in American white oak before a 7–8 month Moscatel cask finish.
Bottled at various proofs, it typically retails for about $75. According to the producer, tasting notes include caramel, stone fruits, wildflower honey, apricots and oak.
Syrupy feeling as soon as it hits my tongue. Oak on the front palate growing stronger in the back of my throat and moving forward from there. Settles under my tongue and along the sides of my mouth. Golden apples and wine-soaked sultanas. Peppery spice builds on a medium-full and super-coating mouthfeel.
Aromas and flavors of cinnamon honey granola, cocoa nibs, peach, and baked apple with a round, lively, dry medium-to-full body and a peppery, engaging, medium-length finish with notes of caramel apple, butter poached peach, leather and maduro tobacco, and cocoa tannins.