Gambit No. 6 Whiskey Review

Proof: 92.0(46.0% ABV)

Age: Six Years

Mashbill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley 

MSRP: $70

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This Isn’t Bourbon with a Finish Thrown on Top

There are certain expectations that naturally come with the phrase “finished bourbon.”  We can easily  assume the whiskey underneath remains largely familiar while a secondary finish adds something extra on top.  More sweetness.  More fruit.  More spice.  The bourbon remains the foundation and the finishing simply changes the edges.

Gambit No. 6 does not really behave that way.

Created by master distiller Chip Tate, Gambit No. 6 begins with a six-year-old Kentucky bourbon before moving through six separate cask finishes:  Sonoma Chardonnay, Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, Apple Brandy, Oloroso Sherry, Muscatel, and Tokaji.  On paper, that sounds like a whiskey that could easily become chaotic.  Too many influences.  Too many competing ideas.  Too much finishing.  Too experimental.

Instead, Gambit No. 6 defies all of those.

What makes this whiskey particularly interesting is that it does not feel like bourbon with six finishes layered on top.  Rather, it feels closer to a unique take on bourbon altogether.  The closest comparison that came to mind while tasting was the idea of a wine varietal.  Familiar enough to recognize its roots, yet different enough that traditional expectations may cause an enthusiast to misunderstand and not appreciate it for what it is trying to do.

That distinction matters because Gambit No. 6 is not like a traditional bourbon with a coating of secondary finishing.  It is far more interesting and feels like a singular identity where the finishing is  inseparable from the whiskey itself.  The result is a pour that feels bourbon-adjacent while remaining unmistakably its own thing.

Gambit No. 6 Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.2/5

Fresh apple.  Dessert sweetness.  Bright white wine influence.  Light oak.  Alcohol presence.

Strengths:  Immediately establishes that this is not a traditional bourbon drinking experience.  Fresh apple and dessert-forward sweetness arrive first, followed by a bright white wine character that leans crisp and slightly acidic rather than rich or heavy.  Feels full and inviting enough to continue exploring.

Why It’s Not Higher:  Alcohol remains more noticeable than expected at 92 proof.  Individual notes can be difficult to separate cleanly.

Rating Justification:  Occasionally feels difficult to pick notes.  Compelling and aligned with the whiskey’s identity.  Succeeds less through precision and more through intrigue.

Palate – 4.4/5

Dessert sweetness.  Ripe fruit.  Full mouthfeel.  Gentle alcohol warmth.

Strengths:  This is where Gambit No. 6 settles into itself.  Sweetness arrives first alongside ripe fruit notes and a full mouthfeel that immediately feels comfortable rather than strange.  Fruit notes remain present from entry through mid-Palate.  Rather than constantly changing direction, the whiskey maintains a steadiness that is comfortable.

Why It’s Not Higher:  Those looking for dramatic development or expanding layers across the sip may find the whiskey somewhat “restrained.”

Rating Justification:  Steadiness feels purposeful rather than limiting.  Similar to a well-composed wine, the whiskey favors consistency and balance over dramatic evolution.

Finish – 4.2/5

Lingering fruit sweetness.  Medium length.  Steady fade.

Strengths:  Remains true to the whiskey’s identity.  Fruit sweetness lingers through the middle of the Palate.  Medium length that feels satisfying.  Nothing feels forced and nothing arrives out of place.

Why It’s Not Higher:  Does not significantly evolve as it fades.  Enthusiasts seeking additional spice, oak development, or a late-stage transition may wish for more.

Rating Justification:  Relatively steady from beginning to end.  Leaves the sip feeling complete rather than unfinished.

Value – 4.5/5

At $70, Gambit No. 6 feels reasonably priced for what it is attempting to accomplish.  This is not simply another finished bourbon competing for shelf space.  Instead, it delivers a genuinely distinctive sipping  experience.  Approachable enough to enjoy neat and versatile enough to perform exceptionally well in cocktails.  

In both an Old Fashioned and a King Kong, the whiskey proved highly enjoyable.  For enthusiasts interested in whiskey that stretches category expectations, or wine drinkers looking for a bridge into bourbon, there is significant Value here.

Gambit No. 6 Whiskey Review: The Verdict

Gambit No. 6 succeeds because it manages to create something genuinely different.  This is not a traditional bourbon with secondary finishing layered on top.  Instead, it feels more like a new expression of what bourbon can become when finishing stops behaving like an enhancement and begins shaping identity itself.

Traditional bourbon enthusiasts should approach with open expectations.  Those looking for familiar bourbon structure with a little extra flavor layered over the top may struggle to understand it.  But for enthusiasts willing to experience bourbon behaving a bit differently, or wine drinkers curious about where bourbon can go, Gambit No. 6 is a unique and thoughtfully composed pour.

Verdict – 4.3/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3