Pinhook Bourbon just dropped the newest chapter in its Vertical Series, and it's a 10-year-old cask strength whiskey that's turning heads among serious drinkers. This isn't some rushed bottle off the line – it's the result of tracking the same batch of barrels for a full decade, giving a real glimpse into how bourbon changes over the years. What started as an experiment has now stretched out to a planned 16-year run, showing that good things come to those who wait.
The whiskey comes from 75 barrels sourced from MGP, a well-known Indiana distiller that supplies stock to many brands. But Pinhook takes it from there, aging these barrels down at Castle & Key in Kentucky. They've been sitting there since the spirit was just one year old, soaking up the unique conditions of that historic spot. The distillery sits in a cooler, more humid part of the state, which slows down the aging compared to hotter, drier warehouses. That means the wood gives up its flavors gradually, without pulling too much tannin or harshness too soon. It's a gentler process that lets the bourbon build character layer by layer.
Bottled straight from the barrel at 115.9 proof – that's 58% alcohol by volume – and left unfiltered, this release packs the full punch of its maturation. No watering down or chilling to strip out the oils that carry those deep tastes. When you pour a glass, the nose hits with burnt orange, warm brioche fresh from the oven, butterscotch, and a spike of clove. Take a sip, and it unfolds into brandied cherry, salted caramel, candied pecan, and cinnamon stick. It's the kind of profile that rewards slow sipping, maybe with a splash of water to open it up or neat to feel the heat.
Sean Josephs, who co-founded Pinhook and handles the blending, has been the guiding hand behind this whole project. “Discovery has always been at the heart of Pinhook — it’s what drives our creativity and curiosity,” he says. Back when they kicked off the Vertical Series, the plan was to wrap it up around the 12-year mark. But the whiskey had other ideas. “When we launched the Vertical Series, we thought the flavor arc might peak around 11 or 12 years… The liquid was still aging beautifully, so we decided to keep the experiment going and extended the Series to 16 years.”
Josephs calls this 10-year bottling a key milestone, where the bourbon hits a sweet spot of depth without losing its vibrancy. “It’s a full-bodied, expressive whiskey that captures both the patience and the excitement of everything this project represents,” he adds. That patience is baked in – these barrels have been monitored and tasted year after year, blending just the right ones to showcase the evolution at each stage.
What sets the Vertical Series apart is how it follows one group of barrels from start to finish. It launched back in 2019 with a four-year-old version, and each release since has built on the last. The series has racked up praise along the way, landing a spot in Forbes’ Bourbon Hall of Fame. It's not just about the liquid; every bottle pays tribute to Bourbon War, a thoroughbred racehorse that racked up wins across tracks in the U.S. The brand puts it this way: “Like the horse it showcases, this 10-Year release carries both elegance and endurance, marking a significant milestone in the series’ ongoing journey.”
For anyone who's followed horse racing or just appreciates a good underdog story, Bourbon War brings that extra layer. The horse wasn't always the favorite, but it had the stamina to outlast the field in big races. Pinhook draws the parallel to their bourbon – it's not flashy or overhyped, but it delivers when it counts, with flavors that have developed through careful aging rather than quick tricks.
If you're looking to grab a bottle, the Pinhook Vertical Series 10-Year Bourbon is rolling out to select stores and direct through PinhookBourbon.com. It lists at $99.99, which positions it as a solid value for a 10-year cask strength pour from a tracked series. That's the kind of price that fits a special occasion pour or adding to a collection without breaking the bank.
To mark the occasion, Pinhook put together a Spotify playlist pulling tracks from 2015 – the exact year this whiskey went into barrels. It's a fun nod to the timeline, letting you sip while listening to hits from that era. Picture cracking open the bottle on a quiet evening, cueing up the playlist, and letting the music take you back as the bourbon warms in the glass.
This release comes at a time when bourbon enthusiasts are chasing more transparency in aging. With so many labels throwing around age statements without much backstory, Pinhook's approach stands out. You're not just buying a 10-year bourbon; you're getting a snapshot of a longer story that's still unfolding. The earlier expressions showed promise in youth – bright fruits, vanilla, rye spice from the mash bill. As the years add up, those notes mellow into richer, more integrated flavors, with the oak stepping in to round things out.
Blending plays a big role here too. Out of those 75 barrels, Josephs selects the ones that best represent the stage. It's not dumping everything together; it's curating to highlight the evolution. At 10 years, there's enough wood influence for complexity, but the spirit still shines through with fruit and sweetness. Push it further, and the later releases will likely lean darker – think leather, tobacco, dried fruits.
Castle & Key's role can't be overlooked. The distillery, built on the old Old Taylor site, has rickhouses that date back over a century. Those stone walls and the river valley location create microclimates that influence every barrel. Cooler winters mean less expansion and contraction, preserving more of the original distillate. Higher humidity keeps evaporation down, so you get higher proof out without as much angel's share loss. It's practical science meeting tradition.
For collectors, the Vertical Series offers a chance to line up bottles side by side and taste the progression. Start with the four-year, move through the ages, and see how the same base whiskey transforms. It's like watching a racehorse mature from colt to champion. Pinhook didn't set out to make the oldest bourbon on the shelf; they wanted to explore the curve of flavor development. Extending to 16 years means we'll see it enter true maturity, where balance gives way to profound depth.
The label design keeps things consistent – wax-dipped tops, the horse imagery, clean typography. It looks sharp on a bar shelf, next to classics or new favorites. And at under $100, it's accessible for guys who appreciate craft without needing to chase allocated unicorns.
Pinhook as a brand has roots in that exploratory spirit. Josephs and his team blend with an eye toward horse racing analogies – each release tied to a horse, wagering on potential. But the Vertical Series is the long bet, the one that pays off over time. This 10-year hits right in the middle, proving the concept while leaving room for what's next.
Whether you're pouring it for a poker night, a backyard fire, or just unwinding after a long day, this bourbon delivers. The high proof brings warmth, the flavors linger, and the story adds conversation. It's bourbon made for savoring, reminding you that some of the best things in life – like a fine whiskey or a strong finish – come from steady pace and time.
