Pinhook Bourbon has just launched its much-anticipated Vertical Series 9-Year Bourbon, the latest release in a multi-year journey that explores how bourbon evolves over time. This marks the sixth installment in the Vertical Series, which started in 2019 with a 4-year-old bourbon and is set to continue until the series reaches 12 years. For bourbon enthusiasts, this series provides a rare opportunity to track the flavor development of the same whiskey as it ages, allowing for a deeper appreciation of how aging influences the taste profile.
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The Essence of the Vertical Series
The Pinhook Vertical Series is built around a single group of 1,350 barrels sourced from MGP (Midwest Grain Products), a renowned distiller based in Indiana. These barrels are stored at the historic Castle & Key distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, where they age and mature. Each year, Pinhook releases a batch of bourbon that is one year older, giving fans the unique chance to sample the impact of each additional year in the barrel. The Vertical Series not only highlights the effect of age on bourbon but also stays true to Pinhook’s philosophy of producing the best whiskey possible with each vintage, rather than adhering to a fixed flavor profile.
This year’s release, the Pinhook Vertical Series 9-Year, is crafted from 100 carefully selected barrels. It’s bottled at an impressive 114.3 proof (57.15% ABV), giving it a robust strength that appeals to serious whiskey aficionados. The mash bill remains consistent across all releases: 75% corn, 20.5% rye, and 4.5% malted barley, making the aging process the only significant factor shaping the evolving taste.
Flavor Profile: A Refined Palate
The 9-year-old expression of the Vertical Series offers a more mature and sophisticated flavor profile than its younger counterparts. According to Pinhook, the nose greets you with aromas of seasoned cedar, cardamom, and preserved oranges, setting the stage for a complex tasting experience. On the palate, bourbon lovers can expect a combination of brown sugar, glazed almonds, and brandied cherries. This well-rounded and balanced flavor makes for a memorable sip that showcases the richness and depth only time can bring to a bourbon.
The distinct flavors in this release reflect the culmination of nearly a decade of aging, offering a richer and more layered profile than the earlier Vertical Series releases. The tasting notes indicate that this is a bourbon that has developed significant complexity while still retaining the sweetness and warmth that fans of the series have come to expect.
The Story Behind the Bottle
True to its roots, each bottle of Pinhook’s Vertical Series features a thoroughbred racehorse on the label. This year’s release continues to honor Bourbon War, a racehorse that has competed and won at some of the country’s most prestigious racetracks, including Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, and Saratoga. This is a nod to Pinhook’s deep ties to the horse racing world, with the brand even partnering with Bourbon Lane Stable, a thoroughbred racing syndicate.
The horse imagery aligns with the brand’s ethos of "pinhooking," a term from horse racing that refers to the practice of purchasing a young horse with the intent of training and reselling it later at a higher value. Much like this process, Pinhook’s whiskey is crafted with the idea of nurturing and improving the spirit over time.
Aging at Castle & Key
Castle & Key, where the Vertical Series barrels are aged, is a distillery steeped in history. Located at the site of the former Old Taylor Distillery, this facility has been a partner to Pinhook since 2017. The partnership has allowed Pinhook to age its barrels in a facility known for its dedication to craftsmanship and quality. The aging process at Castle & Key plays a crucial role in shaping the flavor of each year’s release, as the barrels interact with the unique Kentucky climate, which is ideal for bourbon maturation.
Retail Price and Availability
The Pinhook Vertical Series 9-Year Bourbon is available for purchase at select retailers across the U.S. and can also be ordered online through Pinhook’s website or via their text-to-buy platform, Breeze. Priced at $92.99, it offers exceptional value considering the time and care invested in the aging process. Each year, demand for the Vertical Series has grown, and this year’s release is likely to be no different, with bourbon enthusiasts eager to taste the latest in this ongoing experiment in aging.
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Awards and Accolades
Pinhook’s Vertical Series has earned a number of prestigious awards, solidifying its status as one of the most respected craft bourbons on the market. Previous releases in the series, including the 8-year-old bourbon, have been recognized with Double Gold at the San Francisco Spirits Competition and Double Platinum at the Ascot Awards. The Vertical Series has also been named to the "Bourbon Hall of Fame" by Forbes as one of the 10 most highly rated craft whiskeys, and it was listed as one of the “50 Best Bourbons of the 21st Century” by Robb Report. Given this track record, the 9-year-old release is expected to garner similar praise from both critics and consumers.
Conclusion
The Pinhook Vertical Series 9-Year Bourbon is a true testament to the art of aging. As the sixth release in a planned nine-year journey, it offers bourbon enthusiasts a unique chance to explore how whiskey develops over time. With its bold proof, complex flavor profile, and connection to the world of horse racing, this release encapsulates everything that makes Pinhook a standout brand in the craft bourbon scene. Whether you’ve been following the series from the start or are just now discovering it, the 9-year release promises to be a rewarding addition to any whiskey collection.
For more information on this release or to explore other Pinhook products, visit PinhookBourbon.com .
About Pinhook
Pinhook is a contemporary bourbon and rye whiskey brand that has garnered attention for its vibrant, small-batch offerings and innovative approach to whiskey-making. Founded in 2014, Pinhook is based on the idea of creating a vintage-inspired whiskey experience, where each release is treated like a unique wine vintage, highlighting the distinct characteristics of the barrels selected for that particular batch. This approach sets Pinhook apart from many traditional whiskey brands, as it embraces the natural variation that occurs in whiskey production and celebrates the individuality of each release.
One of the defining features of Pinhook is its close connection to the world of horse racing, a nod to Kentucky’s deep equestrian heritage. The brand takes its name from the horse racing term "pinhooking," which refers to the practice of buying young horses, training them, and selling them for a profit. Each Pinhook whiskey release is named after an actual thoroughbred horse, with the label featuring information about that horse’s lineage and racing career. This equestrian theme adds a layer of storytelling to the brand, blending Kentucky’s bourbon and horse racing traditions in a creative and engaging way.
Pinhook releases both bourbon and rye whiskeys, with a focus on producing high-quality, approachable spirits. Rather than maintaining a consistent flavor profile across batches, Pinhook embraces the differences that come from blending barrels of various ages, mash bills, and flavor characteristics. Each year’s release is treated like a new vintage, offering consumers a fresh expression that showcases the specific qualities of the barrels used. This philosophy draws from the wine world, where vintage variation is celebrated as part of the experience, and Pinhook applies it to whiskey in a way that keeps enthusiasts excited for each new release.
The brand’s bourbon offerings typically feature a blend of corn, rye, and malted barley, yielding a balanced, flavorful whiskey with notes of caramel, vanilla, spice, and fruit. Pinhook’s rye whiskeys, on the other hand, highlight the bold, spicy characteristics of rye grain, offering a peppery, robust profile complemented by sweet and fruity undertones. Pinhook bottles its whiskey at varying proofs, often opting for cask strength or higher-proof expressions to showcase the full depth of flavor.
In terms of craftsmanship, Pinhook works closely with master distillers and blenders to ensure that each release maintains a high level of quality. Initially, Pinhook sourced its whiskey from established distilleries, but the brand has since partnered with Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, where its more recent releases are distilled and aged. This partnership allows Pinhook to have greater control over its production process while continuing to experiment with blending and aging techniques.
Pinhook’s emphasis on vintage expression, along with its commitment to small-batch production, has made it a favorite among whiskey enthusiasts who appreciate its fresh, innovative approach. Each release is not only an exploration of flavors but also a part of the brand’s storytelling, with the ties to horse racing giving Pinhook a unique identity within the crowded bourbon and rye whiskey market.
In summary, Pinhook is a distinctive whiskey brand that combines the heritage of Kentucky bourbon with the creativity of a vintage-driven approach. By embracing the variations in each batch and highlighting the connection to thoroughbred racing, Pinhook has established itself as an exciting and dynamic player in the world of American whiskey.
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