I W Harper is one of those names that carries a quiet weight in bourbon circles. It's a brand that's been around since 1872, though it spent decades being better known overseas than in its own backyard. The Cabernet Cask Reserve is one of their more ambitious offerings — a Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in cabernet sauvignon wine casks, bottled at a respectable 45% ABV. It's a bottle that asks you to meet it halfway, and at £130, it's asking with some confidence.
What interests me about this release is the cask finishing approach. We're seeing more bourbon producers experiment with wine cask maturation, and cabernet sauvignon barrels are a smart choice. Cab tends to leave behind rich tannin structures and deep fruit character in the wood — the kind of influence that can complement bourbon's native corn sweetness and vanilla backbone rather than fighting against it. At 45% ABV, there's enough proof here to carry those layered flavours without the alcohol getting in the way. It's not a cask strength bruiser, but it doesn't need to be. This is a bourbon that's been designed with balance in mind.
The NAS designation means we don't know the exact age of the base spirit, which is always worth noting. But I W Harper has historically worked with well-aged stocks, and the cabernet cask finishing adds another dimension of complexity that can make the age question feel less important. What matters is what's in the glass, and this one delivers a profile that feels considered and complete.
Tasting Notes
I'll be honest — rather than fabricate specifics, I'd encourage you to come to this one with an open mind. What you should expect from a cabernet-finished bourbon at this proof is a marriage of classic bourbon warmth with the kind of dark fruit and tannic dryness that the wine casks bring. Think of it as bourbon wearing a well-fitted suit rather than its usual work clothes. The corn-driven sweetness should still be the foundation, but with added layers of complexity from the wine influence.
The Verdict
At £130, this sits in a competitive space. You're paying a premium for the cask finishing, and I think it's justified. The cabernet cask treatment isn't a gimmick here — it's a genuine stylistic choice that gives this bourbon a different personality from the standard I W Harper range. I'm scoring this an 8.1 out of 10. It's a well-executed finished bourbon that shows real thought in its construction. The 45% ABV is pitched just right for the style, strong enough to hold its own but smooth enough that you're not fighting through heat to find the flavour. It loses a point or two simply because the NAS label and the price tag together ask for a lot of trust from the buyer. But if you're someone who enjoys bourbon and you're curious about what wine cask finishing can do, this is a genuinely rewarding bottle to explore.
Best Served
This is a sipper first and foremost — pour it neat in a Glencairn or a good rocks glass and give it ten minutes to open up. If you want to add water, just a few drops will do. But here's where it gets interesting: that cabernet influence makes this a brilliant Manhattan bourbon. Use a 2:1 ratio with a quality sweet vermouth — the wine cask character in the bourbon and the botanical richness of the vermouth create something genuinely special. A dash of Angostura, a Luxardo cherry, and you've got one of the best Manhattans you'll make at home this year. I'd avoid burying this in a Whiskey Sour or anything too citrus-heavy — the subtlety of the cask finish deserves a serve that lets it speak.
