Are Bourbon Barrel Wines A Thing?
Hey, you got bourbon in my wine!
The biggest wine trend right now is bourbon barrel wine. Working in the wine retail industry is a priceless learning experience. I totally get now why you can’t even apply to the Master of Wine Program without 1-3 years of retail wine experience.
The retail wine world puts you in touch with what consumers want, and with emerging wine trends and styles.
During one after hours shop talk, the topic of discussion was the enormous popularity of bourbon barrel wines.
Wine publications have been asking this question since 2015. And the answer is, if the consumer wants a bourbon barrel aged wine, it must stay on the shelf. So I suppose the answer is yes. Bourbon barrel wines are here to stay.
Bourbon Barrel Wine Sales
At the time of this article, bourbon barrel wine sales are at around 20 million BOTTLES a year. Sales of spirits-barrel aged wines have seen substantial growth in the last few years. Nearly every major American wine brand has a bourbon barrel aged wine in their portfolio. And they FLY off the retail shelves.
Spirits-aged wine can command a higher price tag while being low-cost and quick to produce.
Wine purists may not like them, but spirits-aged wines are popular with bourbon fans, and US whiskey is fast-growing.
Who Is Drinking Bourbon Barrel Wine?
Back in the day, bourbon used to be associated with male consumers, but it has become increasing popular with women.
Bourbon barrel wine is gaining traction and increasing in popularity to those who may not otherwise drink wine. The Gen Z, in particular, are ordering more bourbon cocktails.
Some see wine as something that their parents or grandparents drink.
“Whiskey continues to excite consumers, and we are leveraging interest in brown spirits through our Spirit Barrel Aged wines. Overall, the consumer response has been outstanding, and we can’t wait to see where this road leads us.”
-Bob Blue, Winemaker for 1000 Stories
The first bourbon barrel aged wine was 1000 Stories by Fetzer Vineyards, released in 2014. Winemaker, Bob Blue, started experimenting with used bourbon barrels back in the 1980s, when he couldn’t afford new barrels.
The idea behind using bourbon barrels for wine is that it boosts the flavor and richness of a wine.
Legally, bourbon barrels have to be made from heavily toasted/charred new American oak. And they can only be used once. So there’s plenty of life/flavor left in the barrels after the bourbon is bottled.
The flavor of the bourbon can sometimes overpower the wine. Which is probably why the wine purist does not like them. Fair.
And because the barrels did in fact hold bourbon originally, bourbon barrel wine tends to be higher in alcohol.
Spirits-aged wine tends to be more popular in the US but the export is gaining traction overseas.
And as much as wine professionals tout acidity and funk, American palates are all about big, sweet, and smooth. After aging your wine in a bourbon barrel for a few months, you can check all of those boxes. You can also charge more for your wine — all of the bourbon barrel aged wines are $2-5 more per bottle than “regular” wines.
I’ve had an opportunity to taste quite a few of these wines. At their core, the wines are suuuuper ripe (usually Cabernet or Zinfandel), highly concentrated, and jammy, with candied notes of vanilla, caramel, coffee and campfire — all characteristics that come from American oak.
Most Popular Bourbon Barrel Aged Wine
1000 Stories American Barrel Aged Pinot Noir 2020
Winemaker Notes
Cooper & Thief Red Blend (Aged in Bourbon Barrels) 2017
Winemaker Notes
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Winemaker Notes
Beringer Bros. Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker Notes
Stave & Steel Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker Notes
1924 Wines Double Black Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon (Limited Edition)
Winemaker Notes
Josh Cellars Reserve Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker Notes
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay Bourbon Barrel Aged
“Fresh pineapple, honey, caramel, butterscotch, sweet oak on the nose. In addition- Vanilla, butter on the palate. Creamy and full bodied, yum!”
4.1 rating/7278 reviews
Buck Shack Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker Notes
Layer Cake Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker Notes
Bourbon Barrel Wine Makes A Great Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 oz Robert Mondavi Private Selection
Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon - 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
Method
- Combine simple syrup, lemon, and bourbon in a cocktail shaker.
- Fill with ice and shake for 30 seconds.
- Strain over ice and gently pour wine over the back of a spoon for a floater.
Bourbon Barrel Wine FAQ
I’ve had an opportunity to taste quite a few of these wines. At their core, the wines are suuuuper ripe (usually Cabernet or Zinfandel), highly concentrated, and jammy, with candied notes of vanilla, caramel, coffee and campfire — all characteristics that come from American oak.
And as much as wine professionals tout acidity and funk, American palates are all about big, sweet, and smooth. After aging your wine in a bourbon barrel for a few months, you can check all of those boxes. You can also charge more for your wine — all of the bourbon barrel aged wines are $2-5 more per bottle than “regular” wines.
The first bourbon barrel aged wine was 1000 Stories by Fetzer Vineyards, released in 2014. Winemaker, Bob Blue, started experimenting with used bourbon barrels back in the 1980s, when he couldn’t afford new barrels. The idea behind using bourbon barrels for wine is that it boosts the flavor and richness of a wine. Legally, bourbon barrels have to be made from heavily toasted/charred new American oak. And they can only be used once. So there’s plenty of life/flavor left in the barrels after the bourbon is bottled.
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