I was genuinely curious about this one—1792 Cognac Cask Finish. Built on their high-rye bourbon and finished in French cognac barrels, it sounded like it had all the makings of a perfect sipper with cigar in hand.
On the nose, it pulls you in with a sweet aroma—vanilla, caramel, and hints of dried fruit. The first sip follows suit, starting off smooth and sweet. Mid-palate, you get that apricot and dark cherry note that you’d expect from the cognac influence. It even finishes with a touch of butterscotch.
But then… the bitterness kicks in.
The finish was long—and not in a good way. A lingering bitterness sat on my palate far too long, throwing off the balance of the entire pour. I tried adding ice, hoping to mellow it out. While the ice did help soften the baking spices and brought out a little more of the sweetness, that bitter edge still held on.
Honestly, I really wish I had the original 1792 High Rye on hand to compare. Maybe that would help isolate what the cognac barrel actually added. But as it stands, this one just didn’t come together for me.
And if anyone out there has a bottle of 1792 High Rye, let’s talk. A side-by-side tasting might just unlock the full story behind this unique finish.
Barrel and Bloom 
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