The Belle Meade Bourbon XO Cognac Finish is basically the same core as the Belle Meade Classic except that instead of being a blend of four barrels it’s a blend of three. Also, it’s a bit older as it’s a blend of 7 and 9 yo bourbon instead of 6-8 yo bourbon. Though it’s bottled at the same 90.4 proof.

Once the three barrels are selected, the Green Brier folks blend the three casks together, at full cask strength, and then put the blend into a Remy XO Cognac cask to finish for at least three months (hence the name). The XO casks only get used twice before being shipped off and new casks picked up.

Belle Meade Bourbon XO Cognac Finish Review: Details and Tasting Notes

In Green Brier’s Words:

We start by seeking the perfect casks for the project because like any other ingredient, the finishing cask must be exceptional in order to achieve exceptional results. We use casks made of French Limousin Oak that have been used for 12 years to age one of the world’s premiere Fine Champagne XO Cognacs. One smell of these casks tells you that they hold truly magnificent potential as finishing barrels.

Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)

Region: Tennessee, USA

Distiller: MGP (contract distilling)
Bottler: Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
Mash Bill: 64% Corn, 30% Rye, 6% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak, ex-Cognac
Age: NAS (7 years)
ABV: 45.2%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Batch: 18-07
Bottle: 959

Price: $80

Tasting Notes

EYE
Caramel

NOSE
Oak, caramel, grapes, cinnamon, cocoa, olde candy and bits of dried dark fruit and spice.

PALATE
Oak, caramel, peanuts, grapey sweetness, cinnamon, vanilla, and a light bit of dark fruit and spice.

FINISH
Med-long -> Oak, grapey sweetness and spice

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good sense of balance, medium body and a slick oily feel.

Belle Meade Bourbon XO Cognac Finish Review: Overall and Score

Good… but not in love it with it. The aroma is fairly standard for a high-rye bourbon but with an added grapey sweetness. The palate follows suit with a nutty aspect showing up as well. The finish is about the same.

This is the first one of the series of cask finished Belle Meade I’ll be reviewing and I have to say it feels the least cohesive of the group. It has elements of a good bourbon and a decent cognac, but they don’t seem to mesh into one and feel like they float around each other a bit like oil and water.

That all said, on the whole it’s a tasty beverage and would never be disappointed to find some Belle Meade Bourbon XO Cognac Finish in my glass.

SCORE: 86/100 (B)

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