Thomas S. Moore Chardonnay Finish Bourbon 750ML is a 97.9-proof (48.95% ABV) Kentucky straight bourbon finished in Chardonnay wine casks for an unusually extended period. Awarded 96 points by the International Wine & Spirits Competition and Double Platinum at the 2024 Ascot Awards, this expression stands out for a finishing period of approximately four years—far longer than the industry-typical three to six months.Quick Facts: ABV: 48.95% (97.9 proof) | Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky | Chardonnay Cask Finished | Distillery: Barton 1792 DistilleryProduction & HeritageThe Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky—often called the Bourbon Capital of the World—produces the Thomas S. Moore lineup using its established high-rye mashbill bourbon recipe. After initial maturation in new charred American oak barrels, the whiskey transfers into secondary Chardonnay wine casks where it rests for roughly four years. This multi-year secondary maturation is the defining production choice of the entire Moore range and gives the Chardonnay Finish a depth of wine-influenced character that shorter finishes rarely achieve.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with gingerbread spices and roasted pecans before revealing layers of dark chocolate, leather, and blackberry-raspberry preserves. Underneath, a surprising savory quality emerges—toasty oak and brown sugar create a rich, inviting introduction.Taste: On entry, caramel and vanilla set a classic bourbon foundation that quickly gives way to green apple and ripe pear at mid-palate. Buttery Chardonnay influence becomes unmistakable as citrus and tropical fruit notes surface, balanced by just enough brown sugar sweetness to keep the profile cohesive. The high-rye backbone provides gentle spice throughout.Finish: The finish is medium-long with a smooth, lightly oily texture, carrying toasted oak and lingering pear into a warm, spice-tinged fade. A subtle buttery quality from the Chardonnay cask remains as the final signature.How to Drink the Chardonnay FinishNeat or with a few drops of water is the ideal serve, allowing the Chardonnay cask influence to fully express itself without dilution masking the wine-barrel nuance. At just under 49% ABV, a single large ice cube also works well without muting the fruit notes. Gold Rush: The bourbon's pear and citrus notes complement the lemon-honey syrup backbone of this cocktail beautifully. Paper Plane: The buttery oak and tropical fruit layers add dimension alongside Aperol and amaro, creating a richer variation on this modern classic. Bourbon Sour: Green apple and brown sugar from the spirit balance egg white froth and fresh citrus for a textured, complex sour. Best For Wine enthusiasts exploring bourbon through a familiar flavor lens Gifting to a whiskey collector who values unusual cask finishes After-dinner sipping alongside cheese or dessert courses Adding a distinctive bottle to a home bar's finished-bourbon shelf Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Thomas S. Moore Chardonnay Finish taste like? It delivers a core of caramel and vanilla layered with green apple, ripe pear, and buttery oak, finishing with warm spice and toasted oak. The extended Chardonnay cask maturation adds citrus and tropical fruit complexity uncommon in most finished bourbons.How does Thomas S. Moore Chardonnay Finish compare to Angel's Envy Bourbon? Both are cask-finished Kentucky bourbons, but Angel's Envy uses port wine barrels for a sweeter, berry-driven profile, while the Moore Chardonnay Finish leans toward orchard fruit, citrus, and buttery wine-barrel character. The Moore also undergoes a significantly longer finishing period of approximately four years versus Angel's Envy's reported three to six months.Is Thomas S. Moore Chardonnay Finish good for sipping neat? Yes—its 97.9-proof strength and complex layering of fruit, spice, and oak make it well-suited to neat sipping. A few drops of water can open up additional Chardonnay-influenced aromatics without thinning the palate.Where is Thomas S. Moore Chardonnay Finish made? It is produced at the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, a town widely recognized as the Bourbon Capital of the World. The distillery is one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in Kentucky.What foods pair well with Thomas S. Moore Chardonnay Finish? Aged Gruyère or white cheddar complement the buttery oak notes. Roasted pork tenderloin with an apple glaze echoes the green apple and pear in the bourbon. Crème brûlée mirrors the caramel and vanilla. Smoked salmon works with the citrus and buttery qualities. Pecan pie amplifies the toasted nut and brown sugar elements.What sizes does Thomas S. Moore Chardonnay Finish come in? The standard offering is the 750ml bottle, which is the most widely distributed size for this expression.Is Thomas S. Moore Chardonnay Finish worth the price? It positions as a premium finished bourbon, and its multi-year secondary maturation, 96-point IWSC rating, and Double Platinum Ascot Award support its price point within the upper tier of cask-finished American whiskeys. For drinkers who value extended cask influence over brief finishes, it delivers accordingly.Why Thomas S. Moore Chardonnay Finish?The roughly four-year Chardonnay cask finishing period is the single most significant differentiator—most competitors finish their bourbon for months, not years. That extended secondary maturation earned recognition from Whisky Advocate (93 points), the IWSC (96 points), and a Double Platinum medal at the 2024 Ascot Awards. Built on the Barton 1792 high-rye recipe, the base bourbon has enough spice and structure to stand up to prolonged wine-cask influence without losing its identity. The result is a bourbon that bridges the worlds of American whiskey and wine with genuine depth rather than surface-level novelty.
