Bourbon is steeped in tradition, but today’s distillers are getting creative. By finishing bourbon in a second cask, they unlock new flavors that range from rich fruit to bold spice. Rum, sherry, maple, tequila, and even Amburana wood are all part of the mix.
In 2025, the finished bourbon category is one of the most exciting on the shelf, with bottles that are widely available and still affordable. Here are eight of the best finished bourbons to try this year.
Starlight “Cigar Batch” – Amburana Finished Bourbon
Starlight Distillery in Indiana is known for pushing boundaries. Its Cigar Batch bourbon ages four years in new oak, then finishes six to twelve weeks in Brazilian Amburana wood.
Amburana brings bold flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange peel, often compared to spiced cookies. Eric Hasman at Breaking Bourbon noted that the bourbon has “an incredibly unique flavor profile that ventures into new territory and will challenge the drinker in the best of ways”.
Bottled at around 106 proof, it is rich, spicy, and unlike anything else on the shelf.
Kentucky Peerless Rum Barrel Finished Bourbon
Peerless Distilling in Louisville has turned heads with its series of barrel-finished bourbons. The Rum Barrel release starts with Peerless’s sweet mash bourbon, aged about four to five years, then finished in ex-rum casks.
The rum influence adds molasses, brown sugar, and toasted coconut to Peerless’s rich, spicy base.
At just over 109 proof, it delivers depth without becoming overly sweet. It is a great example of how rum casks can complement bourbon rather than overwhelm it.
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon
Michter’s helped spark the toasted barrel trend when it first released its Toasted Barrel Finish bourbon in 2014. The whiskey is fully matured Kentucky straight bourbon, then placed in a second barrel made from toasted oak staves.
The process adds layers of vanilla, marshmallow, and gentle spice without heavy char. Drinkhacker described it as “every bit the toasted bourbon standard bearer” and praised flavors of “molasses, cinnamon-sugar, grilled peaches, and apple pie crust”. Phil Dwyer told me it is “a contender for one of the best finished bourbons” he has ever sampled.
Bottled at 91.4 proof, it is smooth and approachable, yet complex enough to stand out as one of the best finished bourbons available today.
Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish
Basil Hayden is known for light, easy-drinking bourbon. The Red Wine Cask Finish adds a twist by blending bourbon partly finished in California red wine barrels. The base bourbon is around four years old and bottled at 80 proof.
The wine casks bring soft fruit notes of cherry and cranberry alongside the usual vanilla and oak. BourbonGuy admitted surprise at how well it worked, writing, “I’ve been hard on Basil Hayden… but I think they have a winner with this one”.
This is an approachable entry into finished bourbon, with a price tag that makes it easy to try.
Rabbit Hole “Dareringer” PX Sherry Finished Bourbon
Rabbit Hole’s Dareringer is a wheated bourbon finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks from Spain. It is about four years old and bottled at 93 proof.
PX sherry adds rich flavors of cherry, fig, and caramel to the soft wheated base. I was lucky enough to sample Dareringer at Rabbit Hole Distillery in Louisville, and I was very impressed with the intricate balance. The sweetness of the sherry shines through in notes of stone fruit and dark chocolate, but it doesn’t overwhelm the underlying bourbon flavors of caramel and vanilla.
For those who enjoy sherry cask scotch, Dareringer offers a familiar richness with a distinctly American edge.
Widow Jane Decadence – Maple Syrup Cask Finish
Widow Jane’s Decadence blends 10-year-old bourbons and finishes them in barrels that once held Crown Maple syrup. The result is bottled at 91 proof.
The maple finish adds a nutty sweetness that complements, rather than overwhelms, the whiskey. Expect notes of candied nuts, baking spice, and a gentle maple glaze. Courtney Kristjana, writing for The Whiskey Wash, gave it high praise, calling it “an excellent whiskey for beginners and experts… just a decadent delight”.
It is dessert-like but balanced, making it a standout example of how creative finishes can elevate bourbon.
What Makes Finished Bourbon Special?
By law, bourbon must first age in new charred oak barrels. Finishing begins after that. Distillers transfer the whiskey into a second cask, often one that once held rum, sherry, wine, or even maple syrup. Sometimes they use unusual woods such as Amburana.
Not every secondary cask has held another liquid. Some bourbons are finished in a fresh toasted barrel. This adds extra layers of vanilla, caramel, and gentle spice without changing the core character.
Whether it is a seasoned cask or a newly toasted one, the impact is the same. Finished bourbon takes familiar flavors and adds something unexpected. Sampling a range of finished bourbons is a great way of exercising your palate and finding out which finishes suit your taste best.
Exploring the Best Finished Bourbons in 2025
Finished bourbon shows how tradition and innovation can work side by side. From Amburana wood to maple syrup barrels, each of these bottles adds a fresh layer of flavor without losing bourbon’s core identity.
All are available in 2025 for under $200, making it easy to explore the category. Whether you want spice, sweetness, fruit, or something adventurous, there is a finished bourbon here for you. The only question is which one you will pour first.
Read the full article at 8 Best Finished Bourbons To Try In 2025