Rare Hare 1953 Bourbon 700ML is a cask-strength straight bourbon finished in XXO Cognac barrels, bottled at 55.5% ABV (111 proof) in a 700ml format. Limited to just 1,953 bottles per release, this expression earned an 89.9/100 score from UPROXX, with reviewers highlighting its distinctive wine-like sweetness and layered complexity drawn from extended aging in premium French oak. Quick Facts: ABV: 55.5% (111 proof) | Origin: USA | Cognac Cask Finished Straight Bourbon | Distillery: Undisclosed (Sourced) Production & Heritage Rare Hare is a brand built around limited, cask-finished releases, and the 1953 Bourbon is a flagship expression in the lineup. The base spirit is a sourced American straight bourbon — meaning it meets the TTB requirement of at least 51% corn in the mashbill — though the producing distillery is not publicly disclosed. What sets this bottling apart is its secondary maturation: a full year resting in XXO Cognac casks sourced from France's Champagne region. The XXO designation guarantees the Cognac previously held in those barrels was aged a minimum of 14 years, contributing significant depth and dried-fruit complexity to the finished bourbon. The whiskey is bottled at cask strength without dilution, preserving the full intensity of both the bourbon character and the Cognac influence. Tasting Notes Aroma: The nose opens with an unmistakable wave of butter and brown sugar reminiscent of warm cinnamon pastry. Behind that initial sweetness, dried cherry, pineapple, plum jam, and currants emerge, layered with delicate floral incense notes that hint at the Cognac cask influence. Taste: The palate arrives medium-bodied with a surprising herbal undercurrent alongside creamed corn and light oak. As it develops at mid-palate, dark chocolate takes center stage, joined by an intense winey quality that distinguishes this from conventional bourbons. Baking spices build steadily toward the peak, threading cinnamon and nutmeg through the darker fruit tones. Finish: The finish is long and warming at cask strength, with lingering dark chocolate, dried stone fruit, and subtle oak tannins. A wispy sweetness from the Cognac barrel lingers well after each sip, gradually fading into soft spice. How to Drink Rare Hare 1953 At 111 proof, this bourbon rewards a slow pour neat in a Glencairn glass — a few drops of water open up the Cognac-influenced fruit layers without drowning the chocolate and spice backbone. For those who prefer cocktails, the cask-strength proof and winey sweetness make it an exceptional base spirit in several classics. A Vieux Carré plays to the bourbon's existing Cognac-adjacent character, amplifying the dried fruit and herbal notes. An Old Fashioned lets the dark chocolate and baking spice shine with minimal interference from sweetener. A Boulevardier pairs the wine-like richness of the bourbon with Campari's bitterness for a deeply layered sipper. Best For Gifting a bourbon collector who values limited-edition, cask-finished releases Side-by-side tastings comparing cask finishes — Cognac vs. port vs. sherry Marking a milestone occasion with a numbered, small-batch bottle Adding a unique conversation piece to a curated home bar Frequently Asked Questions What does Rare Hare 1953 taste like? Rare Hare 1953 delivers dark chocolate, plum jam, and baking spice on the palate, with an intense winey sweetness imparted by the XXO Cognac cask finish. The nose is rich with brown sugar, cinnamon, dried cherry, and floral incense notes. How does Rare Hare 1953 compare to Angel's Envy Bourbon? Both are cask-finished bourbons with sweeter, softer profiles than traditional straight bourbons, but Rare Hare 1953 draws its secondary character from XXO Cognac barrels rather than Angel's Envy's port wine casks, resulting in more dried stone fruit and dark chocolate rather than Angel's Envy's candied cherry and vanilla emphasis. Rare Hare 1953 is also bottled at a significantly higher proof (111 vs. 86.6), giving it more intensity and body. Is Rare Hare 1953 good for sipping neat? Yes — the cask-strength proof delivers a full-bodied, concentrated experience that opens beautifully with a few drops of water. Its layered complexity from the Cognac cask finish makes it particularly rewarding for slow, contemplative sipping. Where is Rare Hare 1953 made? Rare Hare 1953 is a sourced American straight bourbon, meaning the producing distillery is not publicly disclosed by the brand. The bourbon undergoes its one-year secondary maturation in XXO Cognac casks originating from France's Champagne region before bottling. What foods pair well with Rare Hare 1953? Dark chocolate truffles complement the bourbon's cocoa-forward palate. Duck confit echoes the rich, fruit-laden Cognac influence. Blue cheese provides a sharp counterpoint to the brown sugar sweetness. Pecan pie mirrors the baking spice and butter notes. Charcuterie with fig jam bridges the dried fruit and herbal layers. What sizes does Rare Hare 1953 come in? Rare Hare 1953 Bourbon is available in a 700ml bottle, consistent with the brand's limited-production format. Is Rare Hare 1953 worth the price? Rare Hare 1953 positions as a premium, limited-edition bourbon — only 1,953 bottles are produced per release — and its XXO Cognac cask finish, cask-strength proof, and small-batch scarcity place it in a collectible tier above standard finished bourbons. For drinkers who value unusual cask programs and limited availability, it delivers genuine differentiation for the category. Why Rare Hare 1953? The defining feature of Rare Hare 1953 is its finishing program: a full year in XXO Cognac casks that previously held spirit aged at least 14 years in France's Champagne region. That secondary maturation at cask strength produces a bourbon with a winey, fruit-forward complexity that few competitors replicate. The production run of just 1,953 bottles adds genuine scarcity, and the 111-proof bottling ensures none of that Cognac-influenced character is lost to dilution. In a market crowded with port- and sherry-finished bourbons, the XXO Cognac angle gives Rare Hare 1953 a distinct identity that stands on its own merits.
