Jefferson's Reserve Cask Strength Review: The Cask Strength Bourbon You Didn't Know You Needed
Jefferson’s finally gives Cask Strength its own spotlight. This 130-proof bourbon hits hard but drinks smooth—with a fruit-forward profile and a price that’s hard to argue with.
BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: Undisclosed
- MASH BILL: Undisclosed, reportedly a blend of four different Kentucky bourbons
- AGE: 8 years old
- YEAR: 2025
- PROOF: 130 proof (65% abv)
- MSRP: $70
- BUY ONLINE: Jefferson's Bourbon
DREW'S NOTES
SHARE WITH: Cask strength devotees. Fans of sweeter and fruitier bourbons. And, of course, Jefferson's Reserve lovers.
WORTH THE PRICE: Yep. Kudos to Jefferson's for keeping the price on this one reasonable. The brand has flirted with some super duper premium releases recently (ahem, Mary Dowling), but it has largely resisted the urge to cross the $100 threshold. The fact that this is even cheaper than the Oceans releases is a welcome surprise.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. The price is right, and the bourbon is impressive. If you enjoy Jefferson's Reserve Small Batch like I do, you'll love it at full strength.
OVERALL: Jefferson's got its start in the late 1990s, those long ago, fabled times before the bourbon boom when Pappy just sat on the shelf. With nearly three decades under their belt, the brand has maintained a pair of core releases while adding limited editions at a fairly regular clip. The most significant and enduring line extension for the brand has been its Oceans series, which now numbers around 30 different releases.
Over all those years and all that whiskey, cask strength releases factored only sparingly into Jefferson's release calendar and, to my knowledge, always under the Oceans label. But not anymore. Cask Strength is finally getting its spot in the Jefferson's lineup, and judging by this debut release, it deserves to stand on its own.
The nose is a bit understated for a bourbon at this proof with layers of seasoned oak and barrel char woven into a classic foundation of caramel corn, Demerara syrup, and baking spice. It's dark and inviting but not nearly as punchy as I would have expected.
The palate takes classic Jefferson's Very Small Batch and turns the dial way up, but don't expect a baking spice or brown sugar bomb. Top notes are all fruit basket at first, kicking off with juicy, sweet orange, cherry cordial, and candy apple and evolving into the midpalate with more tropical notes of guava and dried pineapple. All of that is wrapped in a thick coating of caramelized sugar and accented with plenty of spice; a little pepper at first, then freshly grated cinnamon and clove. The finish simmers with generous warmth and lingering notes of oak, banana bread, and clove chewing gum.
Jefferson's Cask Strength Bourbon is a welcome addition to the world of high-proof American whiskey, easily distinguishing itself in what is, at the moment, at least a fairly crowded category.
BRAND NOTES
NOSE: Inviting aromas of baked apple, rich vanilla, caramel, & toasted oak with a touch of leather
FLAVOR: Bold flavors of red fruit and smooth vanilla, complemented by barrel spice, oak & subtle toasted almonds
FINISH: Warm blend of sweet notes and lasting oak
Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.