I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve Bourbon

Product Description

I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve: Kentucky Bourbon Finished in California Cabernet Casks

I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve takes a classic Kentucky Straight Bourbon and gives it a second life in luxury California Cabernet Sauvignon casks. The result is a smooth, approachable pour where familiar bourbon notes of oak and vanilla meet dark fruit and wine-like aromatics. Bottled at 90 proof, it is a modern expression from one of Kentucky's oldest bourbon names, and an easy bottle to reach for whether you are sipping neat, building a cocktail or picking out a gift for the wine lover who is curious about whiskey.

A Name That Dates Back to 1872

I.W. Harper was founded by Isaac Wolfe Bernheim, a German immigrant who set out to make a bourbon a step above the rest. For decades the brand was known around the world, then disappeared from American shelves before being revived. Cabernet Cask Reserve, introduced in 2022, is the brand's take on modern cask finishing while honoring that golden-era legacy.

How It's Made

Cabernet Cask Reserve begins as a Kentucky Straight Bourbon aged four years in new charred American oak barrels. It is then finished in Cabernet Sauvignon casks sourced from California, where the wine-seasoned oak adds dark fruit character and a gentle, rounded sweetness. The whiskey is bottled at Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville at 90 proof (45% ABV).

Tasting Notes

• Color: Bright amber.
• Nose: Dark fruit and spice with wine-like aromas.
• Palate: Smooth and lightly smoky, with rich oak and vanilla up front and a hint of dark fruit underneath.
• Finish: Clean, smooth and lingering.

Food Pairings

• Grilled red meats: Ribeye, lamb chops or a burger hot off the grill pick up the bourbon's oak and dark fruit.
• Charcuterie and aged cheese: Aged cheddar, Gouda and cured meats echo the pairing you would set out for a glass of Cabernet.
• Dark chocolate: A square of 70% cacao chocolate draws out the vanilla and dark fruit notes.
• Braised dishes: Short ribs or a red wine braise make a natural match for the Cabernet influence.

Serving Suggestions

I.W. Harper recommends Cabernet Cask Reserve neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail. It works especially well in a Boulevardier, where the wine-cask fruit complements the Campari and sweet vermouth.

Cab Cask Sour: Shake 1.5 oz I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve, 3/4 oz simple syrup and 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice with ice. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass, float 1/4 oz California Cabernet Sauvignon on top, and garnish with an orange peel and a cocktail cherry.

Exquisite Harmony: Muddle a sprig of rosemary in a shaker, then add 1.5 oz I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve and 1 oz honey syrup and stir until the honey dissolves. Add 1.25 oz cranberry juice, 3 dashes aromatic bitters and 3 dashes chocolate bitters, shake hard with ice, strain over ice and garnish with a dried grapefruit slice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve?

It is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged four years in new charred American oak and then finished in California Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks.

What proof is I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve?

It is bottled at 90 proof, or 45% ABV.

What does the Cabernet cask finish add?

The wine-seasoned casks add dark fruit, spice and wine-like aromas, along with a soft sweetness that keeps the bourbon smooth and easy to sip.

How should I drink it?

Enjoy it neat, over ice or in cocktails such as a Boulevardier or a Cab Cask Sour.

Is it a good gift?

Yes. The crossover between bourbon and Cabernet makes it a strong pick for whiskey fans and wine lovers alike.

Explore More

Like the idea of bourbon with a wine-cask twist? Browse our full bourbon collection for more Kentucky favorites, or explore our wider whiskey selection.

The Quality Liquor Store Guarantee

Quality Liquor Store has served San Diego since 1949, and every bottle we sell is sourced directly from authorized distributors, so you can be confident that what you receive is authentic and stored properly. Each order is carefully packed to arrive safely at your door. When you order I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve from us, you are getting a genuine Kentucky Straight Bourbon, finished in California Cabernet casks just as the distillery intended.