Distillery:Distilled by MGP – Lawrenceburg, Indiana
Proof: 112.52 (56.26% ABV)
Age: 5 – 9 Years
Mashbill: Blend of four 95/5 Rye Whiskeys + two Bourbons: 99/1 Corn/Barley and 75/21/4 Corn/Rye/Barley
MSRP: $125
A Rye-Forward Blend That Shows What Intentional Sourcing and Blend Can Bring to Market
Proof & Wood Ventures The Cabinet Barrel Proof Blend of Straight Whiskeys arrives with a component list that immediately tells you this is not trying to be a soft bourbon with a little rye influence thrown into the mix. Distilled by MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, then blended and bottled by Proof & Wood Ventures in Stanford, Kentucky, The Cabinet brings together four rye whiskeys and two bourbons, all aged between five and nine years. The rye components all use MGP’s familiar 95% rye, 5% malted barley mashbill, while the bourbon components include one 99% corn bourbon and one higher-rye bourbon made from 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley.
That construction matters because it gives the whiskey a clear assignment. The rye appears meant to lead. The bourbon appears to be there to soften the landing, add some sweetness, and keep the whiskey from becoming too sharp or narrowly spicy. At 112.52, the proof point also seems intentional. This is not proofed down for broad accessibility and appeal. Instead, it is barrel proof because the whiskey shows that it wants intensity, textured mouthfeel, and a strong rye-driven finish.
For some enthusiasts, sourced whiskey still carries an asterisk, especially when the source is MGP. That skepticism is understandable when a bottle feels like familiar whiskey repackaged under a different label. The Cabinet makes a stronger case for what a non-distilling producer can do when the blend has a clear intent. This does not drink like someone simply selected MGP barrels and asked the branding and label to do the rest. It feels designed, individualistic, and intentionally built.
The question, then, is not whether The Cabinet hides its rye influence. It does not. The better question is whether Proof & Wood turns a complicated blend of rye-and-bourbon into a connected, high-proof whiskey that drinks with a purpose. Using that as the guiding measure, The Cabinet largely succeeds.
Proof & Wood Ventures The Cabinet Barrel Proof Blend of Straight Whiskeys (2023 Bottling) Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 3.8/5
Herbal mint. Honey. Orange peel. Earthy rye. Tobacco. Char.
Strengths: Immediately and clearly establishes the whiskey’s rye-forward identity. Herbal mint leads, with honey and corn sweetness giving just enough softness to keep it from feeling overly sharp or grain-driven that some ryes show. With a fuller pass, rye grain, orange peel, char, earthy rye, and tobacco add depth and give more structure beyond the initial mint and sweetness.
Why It’s Not Higher: Notes are not as clearly defined as the best parts of the Palate and Finish. Moderate intensity. Slightly astringent. Gives up most of the notes fairly quickly.
Rating Justification: The Nose supports the whiskey’s intent, but it does not fully elevate it. It tells the right story — rye first, sweetness underneath, some barrel influence behind it — but it does not unfold with enough depth or polish to score higher..
Palate – 4.5/5
Sweet tropical fruit. Tropical spice. Herbal rye. Sweet oak. Baking spice.
Strengths: This is where the whiskey comes together. Opens with sweet tropical fruit and a coating texture. Builds toward herbal rye and tropical spice. Flavors feel connected rather than stacked on top of each other.
Why It’s Not Higher: Does not quite reach a level of exceptional depth or refinement.
Rating Justification: Delivers the heart of the whiskey’s idea and intent. Rum finish brings sweetness and a brightness. Rye gives structure. 101 proof supports the flavors without adding unwanted heat or becoming a distraction.
Finish – 4.6/5
Long cinnamon spice. Menthol lift. Herbal rye tartness. Persistent full-Palate spice. Full-tongue warmth.
Strengths: Strongest part of the whiskey. Cinnamon, menthol, and familiar herbal rye tartness remain across the full tongue and hold for a long time. Does not simply trail off after the Palate; instead it extends the whiskey’s intent and leaves a pleasant, spice focused impression that makes it really easy to want to go back to the glass for another sip.
Why It’s Not Higher: Notes hold more than they evolve. It does not add many new flavors after the Palate. Strength is in persistence rather than layered notes or transformation of notes.
Rating Justification: Reinforces exactly what The Cabinet sets out to become. The rye intensity remains full. Long spice Finish turns what could have been aggressive into something increasingly endearing for the right drinker..
Value – 4.1/5
At an MSRP around $125, The Cabinet is not aiming for casual Value. This is a narrow-audience bottle, and that matters. A new whiskey drinker or someone looking for a sweeter bourbon-style pour will find the intensity to be too much. But for rye enthusiasts who value barrel proof structure, bold spice, and a blend that feels purposefully designed, the Value is strong enough to make sense.
The Cabinet earns its value because it does not feel like ordinary sourced whiskey in a premium bottle. This blend has an identity. It is a meaningful use of blending, not just a label wrapped around sourced barrels.
Proof & Wood Ventures The Cabinet Barrel Proof Blend of Straight Whiskeys (2023 Bottling) Review: The Verdict
Proof & Wood Ventures The Cabinet Barrel Proof Blend of Straight Whiskeys succeeds because it sets out to achieve something specific then hits the mark. It is a bold, rye-forward barrel proof blend where spice intensity is not a side effect; it is the point. The bourbon components do not turn this into a sweet bourbon-like whiskey, but they do appear to soften the front of the sip, creating a solid runup before the whiskey turns toward cool mint, menthol, cinnamon, and long rye spice.
This bottle also makes a good argument for thoughtful blending from a non-distilling producer. Yes, the whiskey is sourced from MGP, but that is not the whole story. The real question is what Proof & Wood does with those barrels. Here, the answer is clear. The Cabinet does not feel like the same old sourced whiskey bottled under another label. It feels individualistic, intentional, and built for enthusiasts who appreciate rye intensity.
This is not for new drinkers, and it is not trying to be. It is for rye drinkers who enjoy proof, spice, structure, and a long finish that reinforces the whiskey’s identity. I would drink it neat first. A rock could serve it well, especially for someone wanting to ease into the spice.
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
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.