Thomas S Moore Cabernet Sauvignon Finish Bourbon 750ML

Thomas S. Moore Cabernet Sauvignon Finish Bourbon 750ML is a 95.3-proof (47.65% ABV) cask-finished Kentucky straight bourbon from the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown. Awarded Gold at both the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition and the International Wine & Spirit Competition, this expression stands apart through an unusually extended secondary maturation in Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks — a finishing period measured in years rather than the typical months seen across the bourbon category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 47.65% (95.3 Proof)  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA  |  Cask-Finished Bourbon  |  Distillery: Barton 1792 Distillery (Sazerac)

Production & Heritage

The Barton 1792 Distillery, one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in Bardstown and now owned by the Sazerac Company, produces the Thomas S. Moore line as a showcase for extended cask finishing. This expression starts with the distillery's recognized high-rye bourbon mashbill — the same base used in the 1792 range — aged for an estimated five to seven years in new charred American oak barrels. What distinguishes it from standard finished bourbons is the secondary maturation in Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks, reported to span one to three years or longer, allowing the wine influence to integrate deeply into the spirit rather than leaving a superficial veneer of fruit on the surface.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark honey and ripe plum lead the nose, followed by candied orange peel and a thread of vanilla buttercream. Underneath, tobacco leaf and a faint licorice note emerge as the bourbon opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is rich and fruit-forward — dark berry preserves and prune compote meet caramel at the mid-palate. The high-rye mashbill asserts itself with baking spice and clove as the bourbon builds, while the mouthfeel carries a notably silky, almost oily texture that coats the palate generously.

Finish: The finish is long and layered, with raspberry jam sweetness gradually giving way to charred oak spice and a subtle tannic grip from the wine cask influence. It lingers with a mellow warmth that avoids harshness — one of the expression's defining qualities.

How to Drink Thomas S. Moore Cab Finish

At 95.3 proof, this bourbon rewards neat sipping in a Glencairn or rocks glass, where a few drops of water can unlock additional fruit complexity without diminishing the body. It also performs well in cocktails that benefit from dark-fruit depth:

• Manhattan: The wine-cask character doubles down on the sweet vermouth's dried-fruit qualities, creating a layered, vinous Manhattan.
• Boulevardier: The bourbon's berry preserves and oak spice stand up to Campari's bitterness while adding a fruit-driven roundness.
• Old Fashioned: A single sugar cube and orange peel complement the existing caramel and candied orange notes without competing with them.

Best For

• Bourbon drinkers exploring wine-cask-finished whiskey for the first time
• Gifting to a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates fruit-forward, higher-proof expressions
• Side-by-side tastings comparing different Thomas S. Moore cask finishes
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a cheese course

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Thomas S. Moore Cab Finish taste like? It leads with dark fruit — plum, dark berries, and raspberry preserves — layered over a bourbon backbone of caramel, vanilla, and charred oak. The high-rye mashbill adds baking spice and clove, while the extended Cabernet Sauvignon cask finishing contributes a subtle tannic structure uncommon in bourbon.

How does Thomas S. Moore Cab Finish compare to Angel's Envy Bourbon? Both are cask-finished Kentucky bourbons, but they diverge in finishing vessel and proof: Angel's Envy uses port wine casks and bottles at 86.6 proof, producing a lighter, sweeter profile, while Thomas S. Moore uses Cabernet Sauvignon casks at 95.3 proof, resulting in a bolder, more tannic, and fruit-forward expression with greater intensity.

Is Thomas S. Moore Cab Finish good for sipping neat? Yes — at 95.3 proof it has enough structure and complexity to reward neat drinking, and reviewers consistently note its mellow, smooth finish despite the higher proof point.

Where is Thomas S. Moore Cab Finish made? It is produced at the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, one of the state's historic bourbon-producing centers. The distillery is owned by the Sazerac Company.

What foods pair well with Thomas S. Moore Cab Finish? Dark chocolate truffles mirror the bourbon's berry and caramel depth. Aged Gouda or Gruyère complement the oak and tannic notes. Grilled lamb chops echo the wine-cask influence. Pecan pie aligns with the caramel and vanilla character. Blue cheese and fig preserves bridge the fruit-forward and savory elements.

What sizes does Thomas S. Moore Cab Finish come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Thomas S. Moore Cab Finish worth the price? It positions in the premium tier for cask-finished bourbons, and the extended finishing period — far longer than most competitors — along with dual Gold medals from international competitions supports its pricing within that segment.

Why Thomas S. Moore Cab Finish?

The defining characteristic here is time. Where most bourbon cask finishes last weeks or a few months, the Thomas S. Moore Cabernet Sauvignon Finish spends years in its secondary cask, allowing the wine's tannins, fruit compounds, and acidity to merge with the bourbon's existing oak and grain character at a molecular level. That extended maturation, combined with the Barton 1792 Distillery's proven high-rye mashbill and a bottling proof of 95.3, produces a finished bourbon that feels genuinely integrated rather than merely flavored. Gold medals from both the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition and the International Wine & Spirit Competition confirm that the approach resonates with professional palates as well.