Pinhook High Proof Magenta Bourbon 750ML

Pinhook High Proof Magenta Bourbon 750ML is an unfiltered Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 59.1% ABV (118.2 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Scoring 92 points from Tastings.com, this release marks Pinhook's inaugural bourbon crafted entirely from its custom distillate produced at the historic Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky — the first bourbon distilled, aged, and bottled at that storied site in over half a century.

Quick Facts: ABV: 59.1% (118.2 Proof)  |  Origin: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA  |  Kentucky Straight Bourbon  |  Distillery: Castle & Key

Production & Heritage

Pinhook operates on a vintage model inspired by the wine and horse-racing worlds, releasing annual batches of bourbon and rye under different labels — each named for a thoroughbred and distinguished by color. The Magenta high-proof expression is distilled at Castle & Key Distillery, which occupies the grounds of the legendary Old Taylor Distillery originally built in 1887. The mashbill — 65% corn, 30% malted barley, and just 5% rye — is unusually malt-forward for a bourbon, and the whiskey is left unfiltered to preserve barrel character. All grains are locally sourced, non-GMO, and the distillate is produced using Kentucky limestone-filtered spring water.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens warm and rich with molasses and roasted peanuts before revealing layers of caramel, pink peppercorn, and fennel. Deeper breaths uncover herbal hints of thyme alongside bright tangerine and brioche.

Taste: The entry is dense and full-bodied, with baked apricot and burnt sugar coating the palate immediately. At mid-palate the high proof fans out into dark chocolate, toffee, and dried papaya, while cocoa and almonds anchor a sturdy oak backbone. Baking spices build steadily toward the peak without overwhelming the fruit and confectionery notes.

Finish: Long and warming, with cherries and toasted oak lingering well after the sip. A subtle nuttiness and residual caramel sweetness persist through a dry, slightly tannic close.

How to Drink Pinhook Magenta

At 118.2 proof, this bourbon rewards patience. Start neat to appreciate the full unfiltered texture, then add a few drops of water to open up the fruit and chocolate notes — the shift in character is striking. For cocktails, the bold proof and dense flavor profile hold their own against strong modifiers:

• Old Fashioned — The molasses and dark chocolate backbone stands up to bitters and sugar without fading.
• Boulevardier — The malt-forward sweetness and baking spices complement Campari's bitterness in equal measure.
• Gold Rush — Honey and lemon amplify the apricot and tangerine notes already present in the spirit.

Best For

• Bourbon collectors who track annual vintage releases
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates barrel-proof, unfiltered expressions
• Side-by-side tastings comparing high-malt versus high-rye bourbon mashbills
• After-dinner sipping alongside dark chocolate or stone-fruit desserts

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pinhook Magenta taste like? Pinhook Magenta delivers a dense, layered profile dominated by molasses, dark chocolate, baked apricot, and toasted oak, with baking spices building through a long, warming finish. The unfiltered bottling gives it a rich, almost oily texture uncommon at this price tier.

How does Pinhook Magenta compare to Larceny Barrel Proof? Larceny Barrel Proof uses a wheated mashbill, which tends to produce a softer, sweeter palate, while Pinhook Magenta's unusual 30% malted barley and 5% rye mashbill yields a nuttier, more biscuit-like character with pronounced dark chocolate and spice. Both are barrel-proof Kentucky bourbons, but the grain recipes create distinctly different drinking experiences.

Is Pinhook Magenta good for sipping neat? Yes — despite the 118.2 proof, the unfiltered body and malt-forward mashbill give it enough richness and texture to sip slowly without harshness. A few drops of water can further unlock fruit and cocoa notes for those sensitive to high-proof heat.

Where is Pinhook Magenta made? Pinhook Magenta is distilled, aged, and bottled at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, on the historic grounds of the original Old Taylor Distillery built in 1887. It is the first bourbon produced at that location in over fifty years.

What foods pair well with Pinhook Magenta? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and toffee notes directly. Smoked brisket or pulled pork echo the caramel and toasted oak. Aged Gouda mirrors the nutty, malty quality of the mashbill. Stone-fruit tarts or apricot galette highlight the baked-fruit character. Pecan pie ties together the roasted nut and burnt sugar elements.

What sizes does Pinhook Magenta come in? Pinhook High Proof Magenta Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Pinhook Magenta worth the price? Pinhook Magenta positions as a mid-premium barrel-proof bourbon, and its 92-point Tastings.com score and Ultimate Beverage Challenge "Great Value" designation suggest it delivers above its price tier. For an unfiltered, high-proof Kentucky straight bourbon with a distinctive mashbill and historic provenance, it represents strong value within the barrel-proof category.

Why Pinhook Magenta?

This is not just another high-proof bourbon — it is the first whiskey distilled, aged, and bottled at the Old Taylor Distillery grounds in more than half a century, marking a genuine milestone for both Pinhook and Castle & Key. The 30% malted barley mashbill sets it apart from the rye-heavy or wheated formulas that dominate the bourbon landscape, producing a flavor profile that leans into biscuit, nut, and dark chocolate rather than the typical cinnamon-spice corridor. Earning 92 points from Tastings.com and a "Great Value" designation from the Ultimate Beverage Challenge, it has third-party validation to match its unusual pedigree. For drinkers who want barrel-proof intensity with genuine character and a story rooted in Kentucky distilling history, this vintage release delivers.