St. Elmo Cherry Vanilla Infused Bourbon is produced for Indianapolis' famous St. Elmo Steakhouse. It starts as a three-year-old straight bourbon distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, then finished and bottled by Cardinal Spirits in Bloomington and infused with natural dark cherry and vanilla beans. It is bottled at 88 proof and sells for around $34.99.
Every note from the nose – the vanilla bean, the cherry syrup and the toasted marshmallow – all transcend onto the tongue. I only find a true “bourbon” note when I concentrate fully. Otherwise, this tastes entirely like a flavored whiskey rather than an infused bourbon (but honestly, what’s the difference?!).