Straight Edge Bourbon 750ML

Straight Edge Bourbon 750ML is a Cabernet Sauvignon barrel-finished bourbon bottled at 42% ABV (84 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Created by Dave Phinney — the winemaker behind Orin Swift Cellars — this expression bridges the worlds of Napa Valley winemaking and American whiskey through a distinctive secondary maturation in Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon barrels.

Quick Facts: ABV: 42% (84 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, Tennessee & California, USA  |  Blend of 5, 7 & 8-Year-Old Bourbons  |  Producer: Splinter Group Spirits

Production & Heritage

Straight Edge is produced by Splinter Group Spirits, the spirits venture of Dave Phinney, who first made his name with the acclaimed Orin Swift wine label in Napa Valley. The bourbon itself is a blend of 5, 7, and 8-year-old whiskeys sourced from Kentucky and Tennessee, built on a mashbill of approximately 70% corn with a balance of rye and wheat. After initial aging, the blended bourbon is finished for four to five months in used Orin Swift Cellars Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon barrels — the same casks that held one of Phinney's most sought-after Napa reds. The water used in proofing is sourced from three aquifers high in the hills of Alexander Valley at over 2,000 feet elevation, adding another layer of provenance to an already unconventional production process.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Brown sugar and maple lead the nose, followed by caramelized oak, exotic spices, and a thread of orange peel. A subtle campfire smokiness sits beneath, giving the aromatics unexpected depth for a bourbon at this proof.

Taste: The entry is velvety and rich, immediately delivering intense caramel and honey. At mid-palate, brown baking spices expand alongside toasty vanilla and dried fruit — a clear signature of the Cabernet barrel finishing. The mouthfeel is notably silky, with the wine cask influence providing a tannic backbone that adds structure without heaviness.

Finish: Persistent and focused, the finish carries dried fruit, smoky campfire embers, and lingering oak well beyond what the 84 proof might suggest. A subtle red-fruit sweetness from the wine barrels bookends the experience cleanly.

How to Drink Straight Edge

Neat or with a single ice cube is the most rewarding approach, as the wine-barrel complexity reveals itself gradually at room temperature. The lower proof makes it immediately approachable without water.

• Boulevardier: The dried-fruit and caramel notes stand up well against Campari's bitterness, creating a richer, more layered version of this classic.
• Old Fashioned: The inherent sweetness and spice need minimal sugar, letting the Cabernet-barrel character shine through with just a dash of Angostura bitters.
• Manhattan: The wine-finished profile adds complementary dried-fruit depth alongside sweet vermouth rather than competing with it.

Best For

• Wine enthusiasts exploring bourbon for the first time
• Gifting a whiskey drinker who values unusual barrel finishes
• After-dinner sipping alongside a cheese course or dark chocolate
• Side-by-side tastings comparing wine-finished American whiskeys

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Straight Edge taste like? Straight Edge delivers intense caramel, honey, and brown baking spices with a distinctive dried-fruit and toasty vanilla character drawn from its Cabernet Sauvignon barrel finish. The mouthfeel is silky smooth with a persistent, smoky finish.

How does Straight Edge compare to Angel's Envy? Both are wine-barrel-finished bourbons, but Angel's Envy uses port barrels while Straight Edge uses Cabernet Sauvignon barrels from Orin Swift Cellars, resulting in a drier, more tannic red-fruit influence rather than the sweeter, richer port-driven profile of Angel's Envy. Straight Edge also blends bourbons from both Kentucky and Tennessee, whereas Angel's Envy is a Kentucky-only product.

Is Straight Edge good for sipping neat? Yes — at 84 proof it is immediately approachable neat, and the wine-barrel complexity rewards slow, attentive sipping without requiring dilution.

Where is Straight Edge made? The base bourbons are distilled in Kentucky and Tennessee, then blended and finished in used Orin Swift Cellars Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon barrels by Splinter Group Spirits, Dave Phinney's California-based spirits operation. The water used for proofing comes from aquifers at over 2,000 feet elevation in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley.

What foods pair well with Straight Edge? Aged cheddar or Gruyère complement the caramel and oak notes; dark chocolate mirrors the dried-fruit character from the Cabernet barrels; grilled stone fruits like peaches echo the bourbon's inherent sweetness; smoked brisket or barbecue ribs match the campfire undertones; and charcuterie boards with fig jam bridge the wine and whiskey elements together.

What sizes does Straight Edge come in? Straight Edge Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Straight Edge worth the price? Straight Edge positions as a mid-premium bourbon, competing in the wine-barrel-finished category where its use of specific, high-pedigree Cabernet Sauvignon casks from a named winery offers clear provenance that many competitors at a similar tier do not provide.

Why Straight Edge?

What separates Straight Edge from the growing field of wine-finished bourbons is the specificity of its barrels — these are not generic wine casks but used Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon barrels from one of Napa Valley's most recognized small-production wine labels. Dave Phinney's dual expertise in winemaking and spirits blending means the barrel selection and finishing duration are guided by someone who understands both sides of the equation. The blend of three distinct age statements (5, 7, and 8 years) from two different states creates a base bourbon with enough complexity to absorb and integrate the wine influence rather than being overwhelmed by it. For drinkers who find standard bourbon profiles predictable, Straight Edge represents a genuinely different direction rooted in verifiable craft rather than marketing novelty.