Bomberger's Precision Fine Grain Bourbon Review: Layered Complexity & Elegance

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Not disclosed, but bottled by Michter's Distillery
• MASH BILL: Not disclosed, but at least 51% Corn
• AGE: Not disclosed, but were I guessing, at least 8 years
• YEAR: 2025
• PROOF: 100.2 (50.1% ABV)
• MSRP: $140
• BUY ONLINE: Available nationally in limited quantities

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Any bourbon drinker, especially those too fond of overly simplified double-oaked whiskies. This is proof that using secondary casks in a targeted way can yield incredible results, and to achieve such outcomes takes real skill.

WORTH THE PRICE: Yeah, it's a worthy indulgence.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar if you can find it, then bottle if you can find it.

OVERALL: Though I doubt it's 10 years old, the abundance of aromas here imply strongly that this isn't young liquid. Sure, they're working with a second cask here, but I don't recall drinking a cask-finished whiskey that, after entering into new cooperage, seemed to taste "older." To me, those whiskies exhibit added intensity of aromas already present from that long rest in the first barrel, like extra coffee, extra cocoa and extra oak and all the tannin you'd expect. But this has that bonus "dustiness" all over it.

The strongest aroma is so deeply cherried that I'm reminded of this year's release of Old Forester 1924 and Jack Daniel's 14-year release. Granted, since it's widely believed much of Michter's initial sourced stocks were made at Brown-Forman Distillery, perhaps those whiskies are responsible for those known aromas? I can't say for sure and I'm confident I'll never know since the Michter's team is terminally tight lipped about such matters. But there they are, nonetheless: cherry candy and cooked cherry aromas along with pipe tobacco, espresso grounds, hot cappuccino, caramel topping, wet charred oak, dried flowers, tropical fruit salad, honey buns and baked French patisserie.

During the two weeks after I got this bottle, I tasted the whiskey multiple times, and I was never as happy with it as I was at about week three. Initially, the wood character from the PFG French oak barrel was overly abundant, leaving it tight, drying and a bit too spicy. But as whiskies often do, it loosened up and became much more caramel-creamy on the way to spicy complexity and balanced density on the palate. Toasted oak, toasted bread and orange oil join the party along with what I can only describe as cinnamon cola. Such a nuanced transformation was amazing.

As is the case with Michter's more exclusive releases, this is an elegant bourbon that drinks just as its modest proof of 100.2 claims. Sipping neat is highly recommended, as is pairing with grilled or smoked meats (fatty ones are ideal) or rich desserts.

BRAND NOTES

Bomberger’s PFG™ is made by first aging Kentucky Straight Bourbon in a new toasted and charred American oak barrel. After full maturation, the Kentucky Straight Bourbon is removed from the first barrel and placed in a second new, custom, proprietary toasted and charred French fine grain oak barrel of the most exacting specifications. These barrels are toasted at a tightly defined temperature range for a precise period of time before they receive a select charring. The whiskey is matured in these second barrels before being dumped into small batches that undergo our signature filtration prior to bottling at 100.2 proof (50.1% ABV).

The Bomberger’s PFG™ finishing barrel is a blend of wood from various origins, including the revered Tronçais, Allier, Nevers, and Vosges forests. It is constructed from wood that has been naturally air dried outdoors for a minimum of 40 months in France near the Charente River, which has a unique seasoning environment influenced by humidity, microflora creation, climate, wind direction, and elevation. After this seasoning, the staves are hand selected to construct the Bomberger’s PFG™ finishing barrels.

APPEARANCE: Mahogany red

NOSE: Burnt sugar, spice, chocolate opening up into floral

PALATE: A beautifully integrated and complex whiskey bursting with exquisite fruit and spice, surrounded by toasty, sweet notes with an elegant bouquet

FINISH: Full bodied, luxurious, with creamy mouthfeel that has lingering soft spice and chocolate

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.