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    ModernThirst
    A bottle of Belle Meade's sherry cask finished bourbon.
    Belle Meade

    Review: Belle Meade Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon

    NickBy NickNovember 2, 2019Updated:November 2, 2019No Comments3 Mins Read
    [amazon_link asins=’B003VAWA68,B01N5HU3CP’ template=’MT-product-carousel’ store=’modernthirstc-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’a77551b3-6763-4633-85ca-e5960e9b1021′]

    Today we’ll take a look at an entry from the once largest distiller come newest kid on the Tennessee whiskey block, Nelson’s Greenbrier Distillery in Nashville, TN.  This one comes by way of their flagship bourbon and whiskey brand, Belle Meade.  This bourbon is a nine year selection distilled in Indiana and bottled at 90.4 proof that is finished in Oloroso sherry casks for an added complexity and sweetness.  The mash bill consists of a 64% corn, 30% rye, and 6% barley blend.  Of course our neighbors across the pond, the Scots and Irish, have been employing these finishing techniques for over a hundred years.  However, this has started to become a trend in American whiskey as well more recently, and I personally could not be more thrilled.  For a little background on Nelson’s Greenbrier, see below:

    Belle Meade sherry cask finished bourbon.

    “The original Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery was located on Rocky Fork Creek in Greenbrier, Robertson County, Tennessee. It operated from 1867 until it was shut down in 1909 when Tennessee enacted state-level Prohibition of alcoholic beverages.

    The distillery was acquired in 1870 by Charles Nelson, a Nashville businessman who expanded operations in the ensuing years. The whiskey produced there was sold in other parts of the United States under the label “Nelson’s Best”.

    In 1885, the distillery produced 380,000 U.S. gallons (1,400,000 liters) of whiskey, making it the largest producer of sour mash whiskey in Robertson County during a time when whiskey production was a major industry in Tennessee and the county was one of the state’s largest producers. At that time, the annual production capacity of the Jack Daniel’s distillery in Lynchburg was 23,000 U.S. gallons (87,000 liters).”

    In what may have been a random set of circumstances, or perhaps serendipity, the descendants of Charles Nelson happened upon a sign in the town of Greenbrier that made mention of their family’s historic company.  Realizing that this was their family’s legacy, they relaunched the company in 2011, and released their first bourbon under the family’s original historical brand, Belle Meade in 2013.

    Appearance

    • Dark caramel with tinges of ruby.

    Nose

    • Wood, smoke, oak, cherries, molasses, roast corn, vanilla, and faint hints of maple.

    Taste

    • All of the notes in the nose come out in the sip along with some raisins, allspice, and brown sugar.

    Finish

    • Deep long and spindly legs that stay on the glass for quite some time and lots of smoky oak and sherried malt round out the experience.  There’s a viscous but pleasant mouthfeel as well.

    Synopsis

    • This whiskey is worth every bit of its price tag of around 80 dollars.  The Nelson’s have really mastered the art of fine whiskey in a very short time.  Further to that, they have certainly proven that Tennessee are just as capable as their cousins to the north at making fine bourbon whiskey (something that Prichard’s unfortunately did not do).  It really must be in their blood.

    MODERNTHIRST.COM SCORE: 92 out of 100

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    Belle Meade Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon

    92 Rock Solid

    Nelson's Greenbrier are turning out fantastic whiskies of all types out in Nashville and this bourbon selection is no exception.

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    Nick

    Nick is a veteran writer about all things spirits, an avid brewer of craft brews, and self-proclaimed whiskey fanatic from Houston, TX. He had written for close to a decade about spirits for Examiner.com but is also a systems administrator by trade in the field of IT. He's been spotted at several high-profile tasting events all over Houston, and has made tons of friends in the beer, wine, and spirits world over the years. He is married with two sons, and currently resides in the Houston suburb of Tomball. You can follow him on Twitter @fykusfire.

    Related Posts

    Four Gate Whiskey Announces Release 15.1, 15.2, & 15.3: The Bluegrass Trilogy

    November 30, 2021

    Old Forester 21st Release of Annual Birthday Bourbon

    August 24, 2021

    Press Release: Old Forester’s Next Release in the 117 Series Features a Blend of Barrels Aged Solely in Warehouse K 

    August 20, 2021

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