Latest news with #FoundersCollection
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Rabbit Hole's New Whiskey Melds Bourbon and Armagnac In A Decadent Pour
Rabbit Hole Founder's Collection Adourra Rabbit Hole Once considered an upstart whiskey producer, Kentucky based Rabbit Hole is no longer the new kid on (or at least near) Louisville's Whiskey Row. The brand was founded in 2012 by Dr. Kaveh Zamanian, a former clinical psychologist, and Rabbit Hole start operating its current distillery around 2018. These days, the Pernod Ricard-owned company distills and ages a variety of bourbon and rye, with a focus on unique and experimental mashbills under names like Cavehill (four-grain bourbon), Heingold (high-rye bourbon), and Boxergrail (rye whiskey). And while the brand has moved toward its own distillate for primary releases, it still sources choice stock from other producers for its annual Founders Collection, all of which are bottled at cask strength. The releases garner notice for their consistently delicious flavor, limited offerings of under 2,000 bottles, and premium price tags, which can eclipse $1,000. Whether any American whiskey in the 8 to 15 age range is worth upwards of $500 is a hotly debated topic among both drinkers and collectors. But let's sidestep that conversation for a second and assess this whiskey purely on the drinking experience. On a recent trip to Rabbit Hole, I was able to sample through five of the Founders Collection bottlings, including a pre-release tasting of the newest addition, titled Adourra. Adourra starts as a 9 year-old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, sourced from an undisclosed distillery. It's then finished in Armagnac casks—again, for an undisclosed period—before bottling at 108 proof. While Amagnac-finished whiskey isn't exactly a new concept, Adourra stood out to me for its ability to elevate (and not overpower) the bourbon within. Of course, tasting at the end of a stacked lineup is one thing. Sampling in a controlled environment is another. Re-tasting Adourra at home and with a fresh palate, I was almost as impressed as the first sampling. The early nose reminds me of figgy pudding, doused in peanut caramel sauce and Kentucky bourbon. Early, deeply roasted nuts quickly transition to brandy-soaked fruit (dates, plums, golden raisins, currants, and orange peel) and then further into dark chocolate and pipe tobacco. It's altogether tannic, fruity, nutty, and decadent, the kind of whiskey I could nose for 15 minutes or more. The first sip starts with peanut butter and those dark fruits in roughly equal proportion, with enough oak to keep things from veering too far into dessert territory. It reminds me of some well-aged Jim Beam products I've tried, though the Armagnac influence is clearly elevating that underlying nine year whiskey. (The source of the base bourbon, to be clear, remains undisclosed; especially with finished whiskeys, it's always tough to hazard a guess.) Adourra boasts a viscous mouthfeel, and there were a couple points along the midpalate where it felt like wood sugars (and perhaps some residual brandy) almost accumulated too heavily at points. But Adourra walks that fine line well, taking tastebuds to the edge of cloying without tipping over. The whiskey ends on a lengthy, nutty, tobacco-forward finish, with a little residual plum thrown in for good measure. Adourra is available at Rabbit Hole's distillery and in select U.S. markets. Each bottle is individually numbered, with a suggested retail price of $899.99.
Forbes
17-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Rabbit Hole Adourra: A Bourbon With A French Accent (and A Heavy Gold Cork)
Bourbon Rabbit Hole's latest release doesn't shout for attention, but it definitely has presence. Adourra, the newest member of the Founder's Collection, is a 9-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in Armagnac casks and bottled at a confident 108 proof. Named after the Adour River in France's Armagnac region, this limited-edition whiskey blends Kentucky muscle with a splash of French polish. Founder Kaveh Zamanian has long leaned into creative cask finishes, but Adourra takes things a step further—channeling the oak-driven elegance of one of France's oldest spirits into something distinctly American. Rabbit Hole Adourra For starters, Armagnac isn't your average brandy. It's earthy, elegant, and often overlooked in favor of its flashier cousin Cognac. But what it lacks in PR, it makes up for in serious aging pedigree—especially thanks to the Solera method, a cascading system where older brandy casks are continuously refreshed with younger spirit. The result? Barrels that are layered with decades of deeply integrated aromas and complexity. When Rabbit Hole bourbon rests in these seasoned casks, it takes on more than just flavor. The result is a deep amber whiskey with layered complexity, subtle warmth, and a long, smooth finish. Launched as a series of limited-edition releases, the Founder's Collection serves as a creative playground —a place where traditional Kentucky bourbon meets unexpected influences from around the world. Each expression in the collection starts with mature, high-quality whiskey, often aged for nearly a decade. But it's the finishing casks that set these releases apart. Past bottles have included bourbons rested in rare sherry casks, French oak, and now, with the release of Adourra, Armagnac barrels from southern France. The goal isn't novelty for novelty's sake. Rather, the distillery uses the collection to explore how nuanced cask finishes can deepen complexity without overpowering the bourbon's core character. Bottled at cask strength and released in small batches, every Founder's Collection bottle is individually numbered and presented in a custom-designed box. It's not just about taste—it's also about ritual and presentation. Whether you're opening it for a special occasion or keeping it sealed on your shelf, the collection is made to feel rare and intentional. Rabbit Hole Adourra opens with a rich, aromatic nose layered with dried stone fruit, toasted almond, and delicate floral notes, underscored by hints of vanilla and spice from its time in Armagnac casks. On the palate, the 108-proof bourbon delivers a bold yet balanced profile—velvety in texture with flavors of caramelized sugar, dark cherry, and a subtle nuttiness that nods to its brandy-barrel finish. The mid-palate reveals a touch of leather and baking spice, giving way to a long, warming finish marked by oak tannin, gentle sweetness, and a lingering note of fig and cocoa. It's a whiskey that marries Kentucky strength with French refinement in every sip. Rabbit Hole recommends enjoying it neat (as do I), or with a touch of water to unlock deeper notes. Adourra isn't just designed to taste good—it's designed to look good. Each bottle is individually numbered, sealed with a heavy gold cork, and arrives in a linen-wrapped gift carton complete with the founder's debossed signature. It's giving 'I splurged, and it was worth it.' Rabbit Hole Adourra is available now at the Rabbit Hole Distillery and in select U.S. markets. Like other releases in the Founder's Collection, it's limited edition—which in whiskey terms is code for: you should probably move fast.
