Rainfire Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finished Bourbon Review

Distillery: Firewater Distillery – Maple Valley, WA

Proof: 112.0 (56.00% ABV)

Age: Four Years

Mashbill: Undisclosed

MSRP: $90/750ml

For the Patient Sipper — Not a Crowd-Pleaser

Rainfire Spirits is part of a ever-growing group of distilleries exploring wine barrel finishing as means to deepen the character of their core bourbon.  In this release, the distillery uses ex-Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon casks for its Secondary Finishing

Red Mountain, located in Washington State, is one of the smallest but most highly regarded grape-growing regions in the country.  Known for wines with rich tannins, dark fruit, and earthy spice, the casks from this region aim to provide a full-bodied finish to Rainfire’s foundational bourbon.

This expression begins with an Indiana (presumably MGP) sourced bourbon and finishes in ex-Cabernet barrels.  Bottled at a healthy 112.0 proof, the combination sets up expectations for a pour that will deliver robust oak, a depth of fruit, and a wine-driven complexity.  The question is, as with all secondary finished expressions, does the wine cask finishing elevate the pour, or overpower it?

Rainfire Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finished Bourbon: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.0/5

Distinct layers of black cherry, plum, and dried floral notes.  Complex and inviting—not overly perfumed.   While the Nose leans a bit toward the elegant, it is a bit restrained when compared against other more “assertive” cask strength releases—some within the enthusiast community may expect more intensity from a cask strength release.

Palate – 4.1 / 5.0

Bold flavors of dark fruit, molasses, leather, and black tea.  Some herbal understated notes.  Slight dryness appears mid-Palate  and may feel too dry or understated for enthusiasts.  Doesn’t quite reach the complexity of notes found in top-tier secondary finished or older bourbons.

Finish – 3.9 / 5.0

Tart and slightly sweet notes along with espresso, and dark chocolate appear on the Finish.  Tannins are distinct and add a wine-like feel.  Dryness dominates late in the Finish and comes off as slightly astringent. 

Value – 3.6 / 5.0

Cask strength and the ex-wine barrel finished adds a certain uniqueness as well as complexity.  At $90, it competes in a category with higher aged or limited-release bourbons that offer a broader appeal and/or more traditional profiles.  The dry, tannic character will not appeal to enthusiasts who are expecting bold sweetness or a deep richness.  It’s a niche pour with some strengths, but the overall value is limited.

Rainfire Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finished Bourbon Review: The Verdict

Instead of going for sweetness or flash, it leans into a dry fruit notes.  It’s best suited for those who enjoy wine-finished whiskeys.  It avoids the heavy oak notes or overly sweet notes often found in wine finishes.  Instead, it offers a dry layered profile.  It may not please everyone, but it rewards you with time in the glass and a slower sipping experience.

Verdict – 3.95/5

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