I. W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve Review

Distillery: Sourced from undisclosed Kentucky distilleries.

Proof: 90.0 (45.0% ABV)

Age: NAS (See below)

Mashbill: Undisclosed

MSRP: Undisclosed. Retail varies ($45 – $70)

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I. W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve Review: Classic Name—Modern Twist

My Tasting Notes for this Review were taken during a distillery visit and tasting at Stizel-Weller Distillery. You can find my Distillery Deep Dive at .  With so many distilleries experimenting with wine-barrel finishes, does this I.W. Harper release by Stizel-Weller stand out

I.W. Harper is a brand filled with bourbon history.  Tracing its origins back to 1872 when Isaac Wolfe Bernheim first introduced it to the whiskey market, I.W. Harper was once a staple of American whiskey.  The brand was largely absent from U.S. shelves for decades, until its return in 2015 under the ownership of Diageo.

The brand expanded through innovative releases, including the I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve—a bourbon that seeks to blend tradition with a wine-cask finish.

This expression takes a Kentucky straight bourbon, aged for four years that also undergoes a in California Cabernet Sauvignon casks. Bottled at 90-proof, this whiskey aims to marry bourbon with a refining influence of cabernet wine.

I. W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4/5

An inviting caramel-forward Nose with dark cherry and sweet raisin scents.  Vanilla, brown sugar, and a touch of oak provide good complexity for the Nose.  There are notes of red fruit that would make sense to have come from the cabernet cask finish.

Palate – 2/5

Notes of sweet dark cherry and black raspberry mingle with the classic bourbon notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak. Mid-Palate, the base of the bourbon remains dominant while the wine cask finish seems to add another layer of sweetness and some mild spice.  Velvety mouthfeel.  The convergence of the bourbon with the sweetness from the wine influence makes this a very confusing pour for the Palate.

Finish – 2.5/5

Medium in length, the Finish carries over the sweetness from the Palate with notes of caramelized sugar and vanilla lingering along with just a touch of spice. Some wine-cask-finished bourbons seem to turn dry, and this one follows that same path.

Value – 2/5

At around $40, Keeper’s Heart Irish + Bourbon offers something rare: a blend that successfully marries two whiskey traditions. The price point feels particularly fair given the innovation, making it an excellent pick for those who enjoy something unique in both the realm of blending as well as flavor profile.

I. W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve Review: The Verdict

I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve attempts to blend tradition with innovation. The four-year bourbon serves as the foundation, while the cabernet cask finish attempts to elevate the profile.  It is not the most complex wine-finished bourbon on the market, however, it is an easy sipper that will likely appeal to both newcomers and those who seek a bourbon devoid of complexity.

Verdict – 2.6/5

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