Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon Finished in a Barbados Rum Cask is a barrel-proof expression from Hillrock Estate Distillery in New York's Hudson Valley. The solera-aged bourbon receives a finishing period in casks that held Barbados rum and is bottled at 59.45% ABV.
Hillrock is a field-to-glass distillery: it grows grain on its estate, floor-malts it in-house and distils in a copper pot still. The distillery was founded by Jeffrey Baker with the late Dave Pickerell, former master distiller of Maker's Mark, who is credited with the solera concept. In a solera, some whiskey is periodically drawn from a stack of barrels and new whiskey is added, so no barrel is ever fully emptied and older whiskey is always part of the blend.
The rum cask adds a layer of tropical sweetness. Expect caramelized sugar, vanilla, molasses and toasted oak with hints of tropical fruit and baked banana on the nose, and toffee, honey, dark fruit and baking spice on the palate, followed by a long, warming finish of oak and molasses.
The square Hillrock decanter, with its 1806 crest and a hand-written barrel label naming the rum cask, is a handsome bottle and a fine gift.
At barrel proof, a few drops of water will open up the fruit and spice.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Caramelized sugar, vanilla, molasses, toasted oak and tropical fruit.
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Palate: Toffee, honey, dark fruit, baking spice and rum sweetness.
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Finish: Long and warming, with oak and molasses.
Specifications
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Producer: Hillrock Estate Distillery
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Style: Solera Aged Bourbon Whiskey, barrel proof
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Expression / Batch: Barbados Rum Cask Finish
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Proof / ABV: 118.9 proof (59.45% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: Solera aged, finished in a Barbados rum cask
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Region: Hudson Valley, New York
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Serve it neat with a few drops of water. It pairs with grilled pineapple, bananas foster or a cigar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is solera ageing?
Some whiskey is periodically drawn from a stack of barrels and new whiskey added, so no barrel is ever fully emptied.
Where is Hillrock?
In New York's Hudson Valley.
What proof is it?
This bottle is listed at 59.45% ABV.
Explore more in our Bourbon collection.
