Finger Lakes McKenzie Bourbon 750ML is a double-pot distilled New York State bourbon finished in local chardonnay wine casks, bottled at 45.5% ABV (91 proof). Scored 86/100 by Whisky Advocate, this expression draws its signature buttery character from secondary maturation in barrels sourced from neighboring Finger Lakes wineries — a production step firmly rooted in its Seneca Lake origins. Quick Facts: ABV: 45.5% (91 Proof) | Origin: Finger Lakes, New York | Style: Chardonnay Cask-Finished Bourbon | Distillery: Finger Lakes Distilling Production & Heritage Finger Lakes Distilling sits on the western shore of Seneca Lake, surrounded by one of New York's most celebrated wine-producing regions. McKenzie Bourbon is double-pot distilled from a corn-forward mashbill built on 70% locally grown corn with rye, then aged in new charred American oak quarter casks before receiving a secondary finishing in chardonnay barrels from nearby Finger Lakes wineries. This wine barrel maturation — a natural outcome of the distillery's geography rather than an imported novelty — produces the bourbon's distinctive buttery roundness and separates it from conventionally aged expressions. Tasting Notes Aroma: Orange peel and honey arrive first, followed by vanilla, clean hay, and a faint maple sweetness. A subtle herbal note — somewhere between mint and fresh basil — emerges with time in the glass. Taste: The entry is warm with brown sugar and cinnamon, giving way to orange custard and caramel at mid-palate. Cardamom and toasted oak spice build toward the peak, layered with butterscotch and a pomegranate-like fruitiness that signals the wine cask influence. Finish: Medium in length with a buttery, rounded texture courtesy of the chardonnay cask maturation. Lingering notes of cinnamon bread, bay leaf, and gentle oak tannins carry the close. How to Drink McKenzie Bourbon McKenzie Bourbon drinks well neat or with a single ice cube, which opens up the citrus and butterscotch aromatics without dulling the wine-cask complexity. Its 91-proof backbone makes it a strong candidate for an Old Fashioned, where the buttery finish plays beautifully against Angostura bitters. It brings welcome depth to a Boulevardier — the orange peel and cardamom spice complement Campari's bitterness rather than competing with it. Try it in a New York Sour, where the chardonnay-finished character echoes the cocktail's red wine float for a cohesive, layered drink. Best For Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values small-batch, regionally produced spirits Exploring New York State's growing craft bourbon scene After-dinner sipping alongside baked desserts or aged cheeses Introducing someone to wine-cask-finished American whiskey Frequently Asked Questions What does McKenzie Bourbon taste like? McKenzie Bourbon leads with brown sugar, orange peel, and caramel, followed by cardamom and cinnamon spice midway through the palate. The chardonnay cask finish adds a distinctive buttery roundness and subtle fruit character not typical of standard bourbons. How does McKenzie Bourbon compare to Buffalo Trace? Both are corn-forward bourbons at a similar proof point, but McKenzie distinguishes itself through chardonnay wine barrel finishing that adds buttery, fruity complexity absent in Buffalo Trace's traditional profile. Buffalo Trace leans more heavily on classic vanilla and caramel oak tones without secondary cask influence. Is McKenzie Bourbon good for cocktails? Yes — its 91-proof backbone holds structure in stirred and shaken drinks, while the wine-cask finish adds an extra layer of complexity to classics like the Old Fashioned and Boulevardier. Where is McKenzie Bourbon made? McKenzie Bourbon is produced by Finger Lakes Distilling, located on the shore of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. The distillery sources its grain locally and finishes its bourbon in wine barrels from neighboring Finger Lakes wineries. What foods pair well with McKenzie Bourbon? Aged cheddar complements the caramel and butterscotch notes; grilled stone fruit mirrors the bourbon's orange and citrus character. Dark chocolate highlights the cinnamon and spice layers, smoked pork pairs naturally with toasted oak and brown sugar, and apple tart echoes the buttery, baked-dessert quality imparted by the chardonnay casks. What sizes does McKenzie Bourbon come in? McKenzie Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle size. Is McKenzie Bourbon worth the price? McKenzie Bourbon sits in the craft bourbon tier, priced above mass-market labels but competitive within the small-batch, wine-cask-finished category. Local grain sourcing, double-pot distillation, and genuine chardonnay barrel finishing justify its positioning for drinkers seeking regional character and production transparency. Why McKenzie Bourbon? What sets McKenzie Bourbon apart is its authentic connection to place. The chardonnay cask finishing — using barrels from wineries just down the road along Seneca Lake — produces a buttery roundness that is genuinely distinctive in the American whiskey landscape, not a borrowed flourish but a direct expression of geography. Double-pot distillation and New York–grown grain reinforce the distillery's commitment to regional identity at every production stage. With an 86/100 score from Whisky Advocate validating its approach, McKenzie Bourbon has earned a credible position among drinkers looking beyond Kentucky and Tennessee for serious, well-made bourbon.
