Doc Swinson's Exploratory Cask Pineau des Charentes is sourced from MGP and finished in California. The non-age-stated bourbon is made from a blend of MGP mashbills and undergoes secondary maturation in Pineau des Charentes casks, a fortified wine from France’s Cognac region. Proofs may vary.
Utilizing Pineau des Charentes casks as finishing barrels, Doc Swinson’s Exploratory Cask Pineau des Charentes affords bourbon drinkers the chance to step outside of the more commonly used French finishing barrels to mixed results.
I love this as a finish, and it’s an explosion of flavor. My only concern is that the bourbon is overwhelmed about half the time. When it’s balanced, it’s fantastic. When not, it’s a delicious finish but lacking the bourbon underneath.
