Belle Meade Bourbon whiskey is made by Greenbrier Distillery using sour mash. This hand-numbered bottling is a blend of six to nine year old Bourbons finished in used Madeira casks. The resulting whiskey is richer and smoother than either the straight and sherry-casked bottlings. With a deep amber color, noticable caramel in the aroma, it has a round texture and a warm, lingering flavor. But it's the aroma I keep going back to. It's a joy to drink neat.
I was immediately drawn to the richness of this whiskey, made so by the finishing barreling in Malmsey Madeira casks. Malmsey is the richest and sweetest of Madeira wines, so the sweetness and brown sugar character from the residue in the barrels finds its way to this Bourbon. Full-flavored and satisfying.