Rabbit Hole Distillery has unveiled the latest addition to its limited-edition Distillery Series: Rabelo, a cask strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon that was finished in ruby Port casks.
Bottled at a cask strength of 100.8 Proof (50.4% ABV), the Rabbit Hole Rabelo features a mashbill of 65% Corn, 25% Wheat, and 10% Malted Barley. It was aged for over three years and then finished for an additional four months in a ruby Port cask.
On the nose, the whiskey offers aromas of chocolate, cherry, and caramel, which awaken the palate, followed by subtle scents of vanilla, toasted nuts, banana, and floral notes. The palate features baking spices and fruits against a backdrop of sweet whiskey and wine flavors. The flavors fade into a light finish grounded by hints of port chocolate.
The name, Rabelo, means ‘little tail,’ and was the name given to boats with long timber projecting off the rear which was used to steer the vessel. For centuries, these Portuguese wooden cargo boats were used to transport people and goods along the Douro River (where Port wine comes from).
The Distillery Series is an exercise in Rabbit Hole’s commitment to originality and innovation. Each release in this line of distinct expressions is a Limited Edition, Small Batch, Cask Strength whiskey offered in 375 ml bottles with the Batch and Bottle number printed on a custom-designed label.
The Rabbit Hole Rabelo Distillery Series is priced at $49 per 375ml bottle. Only 100 bottles were offered online and are already sold out, but visitors to the Louisville-based Rabbit Hole Distillery should be able to find this gem soon. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
In June, Rabbit Hole added a cask strength Dareringer to its Founder’s Collection of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys.