Distillery: Stellum Spirits (by Barrell Craft Spirits)
Proof: 120.0 (60.0% ABV)
Age: Blend of 5-11 years
Mashbill: 79% Corn, 18% Rye, 3% Malted Barley
MSRP: $80
Mission: Flavor, Status: Success
Crossing the boundary between pop culture and precision blending, Romulan Cask Strength Whiskey is a collaboration between Star Trek Spirits and the team at Stellum Spirits–a blending-focused offshoot of Barrell Craft Spirits. While the collectible label pays homage to a long running story line of the Star Trek series, the whiskey inside is anything but hype.
This is a well-constructed cask strength bourbon.
Bottled at 120.0 proof, Romulan Cask Strength is a bourbon drawn from a mix of 5- to 11-year-old barrels containing a tried-and-true mash bill of 79% corn, 18% rye, and 3% malted barley. While the limited-edition branding may well attract collectors, Stellum’s reputation for excellent craft-driven blends makes this expression equally appealing to enthusiasts.
With its Star Trek packaging and the Barrell pedigree, this bottle certainly stands out on the shelf—but does the whiskey live up to the mission? Let’s find out.
Star Trek Spirits x Stellum Spirits Romulan Cask Strength Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4.1/5
Vanilla. Orange peel. Caramel corn. Peppercorn. Nutmeg.
Strengths: Bold and assertive, just as expected from a relatively high proof cask strength expression. Layered. A burst of spice and oak provides a nice frame for the other “flavors” to florish.
Why It’s Not Higher: At full proof, and right out of the bottle, the initial ethanol notes cloud out the softer notes. You’ll want to give this one sometime in the glass.
Rating Justification: Rich and expressive. Enough character to draw you in with anticipation for the rest of the experience.
Palate – 4/5
Sweet cinnamon. Sweet tobacco. Vanilla custard. Toasted pecans.
Strengths: Structured and deep flavors that come in waves not bursts.
Why It’s Not Higher: Although structured, the entry for the sip can feel aggressive. The mid-palate flirts with being overly spiced before settling back to some sweetness.
Rating Justification: A complex and rewarding sip.
Finish – 4/5
Lingering spice. Warm oak. Sweet cinnamon. Sugar cookie.
Strengths: The Finish carries on a long time. Warming. It lingers long without turning acidic.
Why It’s Not Higher: A slight charred bitterness emerges at the very end, which will take away a little from enthusiasts looking for a smoother or fruitier Finish.
Rating Justification: Long Finish. Memorable spice. Well done oak defines the Finish.
Value – 4.3/5
Strengths: At an $80 price point, Romulan Cask Strength Whiskey is a strong contender in the cask strength category. Well-blended. High-proof. Respected team (Stellum/Barrell). Limited Star Trek branding adds collectible appeal.
Why It’s Not Higher: Lands at a price point with strong competition, some of which offers older age statements or single barrel stamping at similar pricing. For casual drinkers not aligned with the franchise or unfamiliar with Stellum’s blending credibility, the Value might not be obvious.
Rating Justification: The $80 price tag shifts this into a high value buy for cask strength enthusiasts. It’s not quite underpriced, but it delivers Value above its cost when compared to the sensory experience of he Nose, Palate and Finish.
Star Trek Spirits x Stellum Spirits Romulan Cask Strength Whiskey Review: The Verdict
Romulan Cask Strength Whiskey delivers another expression in what fans of Stellum and Barrell Craft Spirits expect—bold, complex, high-proof bourbon. At 120 proof, it’s powerful but not punishing. The $80 price tag makes it one of the more justifiable limited editions on the shelf. While the initial heat and slight bitterness on the Finish hold it back from a higher tier, the complexity, age range, and overall excellence of the Nose, Palate and Finish speak for themselves.
This isn’t just a collector’s bottle for Star Trek fans—it’s a respectable cask strength sipper in its own right. Bold. Balanced. Well-priced. Shop now.
Verdict – 4.1/5
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.