Barton Debuts Thomas S. Moore Trio of Cask Finished Bourbons

Bardstown, Ky.-based Barton 1792 Distillery announced the release of its first ultra-premium brand, Thomas S. Moore Extended Cask Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The three-expression lineup is named in honor of Moore, who built the distillery known today as Barton 1792 Distillery.

According to a news release, the trio of expressions include a port cask finish, a chardonnay cask finish and a cabernet sauvignon cask finish. All were filled with Barton’s high rye recipe bourbon.

Though the Dec. 10 news release said “the bourbon aged an additional one to three years” in the wine casks, Barton master distiller Danny Kahn said on Zoom call with the press that time spent in the second casks ranged from two to five years. To reach its flavor peak in the chardonnay cask, the bourbon rested for around four years; two-and-a-half years in the cabernet cask; and about three years in the port cask, he said.

Kahn told the group that 1,100 barrels were chosen from around the globe for the secondary finishing, and that the rigorous sampling process created “an enlightening exercise in what the role of a master blender might be.” Translation: The work consumed countless hours and made for a lot of data collecting, yet he clearly liked the work.

In the release, Barton described the finished products thusly:

“Thomas S. Moore Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Casks is described as having a taste that is soft and sweet, with subtle hints of vanilla and baking spices. This whiskey is 98.9 proof.” (A favorite of the press group … ruby port notes were ample, round and fruity. Some asked whether a future parallel tasting could be arranged with the now-coveted 1792 Port Finish Bourbon last released in 2015. Not surprisingly, such pleas got yielded no response.)
“Thomas S. Moore Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Chardonnay Casks has a rich taste, with notes of citrus, tropical fruit, and buttery oak. This whiskey is 97.9 proof.” (Some reporters got oak, cotton candy, cinnamon and acidity.)
“Thomas S. Moore Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Cabernet Sauvignon Casks has a bold taste, with notes of dark fruit, caramel, and vanilla. This whiskey is 95.3 proof.” (A pair of reporters described up front notes of “peanut butter and jelly,” and others remarked about pleasant fruit tannin.)

Barton 1792 Distillery brand manager Chris Collins said to expect additional cask-finished products for the foreseeable future, adding that release dates will likely be in the fall.

Suggested retail pricing for each Thomas S. Moore expression is $69.99; state taxes will vary per market.