Pinhook 9 Year Old Single Barrel #6020 Bourbon War Limited Edition Vertical Series Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2024) 75cl

The latest release in their award-winning Vertical Series.

The Bourbon Vertical Series is a unique opportunity to follow a group of 1,350 MGP bourbon barrels as they age from four to twelve years, and experience the arc of flavours throughout the nine-year journey. Every year, Pinhook selects a group of bourbon barrels from the lot and blends and proofs them to create the most balanced expression of the whiskey at that age. The Vertical Series began with the inaugural 4 Year release in 2019, and the journey continues through annual releases up to age 12.

Light baking spices | Cinnamon | Dried tangerine | Charred oak | Faint brown sugar | Traditional faint scents

Cinnamon bark | Brown sugar | Aged oak | Prickly peppercorn spice | Rye spice

Oak | Leather | Cinnamon Stick | Rye spice

OVERALL

Full of classic bourbon flavors, Pinhook Bourbon War Vertical Series 9 Year is a reminder of why this vertical series is one of the most interesting experiments taking place in the bourbon world.

Now in its 6th year, the Pinhook Bourbon War Vertical Series continues to be one of the most interesting experiments taking place in the bourbon space. The series started with Bourbon War 4 Year and will end in 2027 when the bourbon is 12 years old . Last year’s Bourbon War 8 Year saw a decrease in proof for the first time in the series’ history. This year’s release again follows this same trend, coming down in proof by an additional 0.03 proof points compared to last year’s 114.6 proof. This year’s release consists of 100 barrels, with approximately 700 barrels remaining to create the final 3 batches.

After last year's Pinhook Bourbon War Vertical Series 8 Year highlighted one of the best editions in the series, this year’s edition had a lot to live up to. Opening on traditional light scents, the bourbon highlights baking spices, cinnamon, charred oak, and a faint brown sugar note. Dried tangerines add further intrigue. The palate starts with a sweet brown sugar and cinnamon bark note before transitioning to aged oak resting on a bed of spices. The finish ends on classic notes of oak, weather, cinnamon, and rye spice, helping carry forward the theme that this year’s bourbon goes back to basics. It might not reach the same level the 8 year did, but overall, this whiskey delivers a well-rounded sip. W ith three years to go in the series, this ongoing vertical series is one of the most fascinating and fun experiments currently taking place in the bourbon world. I’m excited to see how the bourbon starts to taste as it enters double digit age territory.