Casey Jones Distillery is nestled in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. It’s not here to honor a baseball legend or a folk hero locomotive engineer. Its name pays tribute to a different kind of rebel—Casey Jones of Golden Pond, a master still builder during Prohibition who became a local legend for his craftsmanship and courage. Known for designing and building hundreds of high-quality copper stills, Casey was twice imprisoned for his work, but his legacy lives on through his grandson, Arlon “AJ” Casey Jones, who now carries the family torch.

In April 2025, Casey Jones Distillery unveiled a distinctive new release: Casey Jones Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in an Apricot Wine Barrel. Though marketed as a single-barrel expression, Batch 1 is a carefully blended creation—five 25-gallon barrels unified in a single apricot wine barrel.

Distilled under contract at Jeptha Creed in Shelbyville, the bourbon features the distillery’s signature high-corn Mashbill 1: 96% yellow dent corn, 3% rye, and 1% malted barley. Barrels #812, #813, #848, #849, and #850 were aged for just over two years—2 years and 247 days, to be exact—in medium-toast, #4 char barrels at a low entry proof of 98. Once blended, the bourbon was transferred into a single apricot wine barrel sourced from Buckhorn Creek Vineyard in Gilbertsville, Kentucky, just 57 miles from the distillery. There, it rested for approximately four months, drawing in subtle fruit notes and a delicate sweetness.

Bottled at cask strength (100.5 proof) on February 12, 2025, this limited release yielded just 252 bottles, making it a rare and intriguing addition to the Casey Jones lineup—and a fitting nod to the past with a bold look toward the future.

Finishing casks are having a moment in the American whiskey scene. With wine cask finishes popping up left and right, it takes something truly unique to stand out. That’s exactly what Casey Jones Distillery aimed for with a bold—and decidedly unconventional—choice: a locally sourced apricot wine barrel finish. It’s a rebellious twist that bucks the trend and leans into regional character. But did this daring move pay off for the Hopkinsville distillery? Let’s dive in and find out.

Casey Jones Apricot Wine Finished Bourbon Review

As expected, the nose opens confidently with aromas of dried apricots. Soon after, richer aromas of vanilla bean ice cream and tropical mango add layers of indulgence. With a few moments of rest in the glass, a nuttier character arrives—salted almonds lending a balancing contrast to the dominant sweetness. Overall, the aromatic profile sets the stage for a lush and concentrated sipping experience.

On the palate, there’s a lively surprise: while dried apricot dominate the nose, the taste kicks off with fresh, juicy apricots that feel brighter and more vibrant. This fruit-forward opening is followed by a dash of sweet butterscotch, giving way to a dynamic shift toward black pepper and subtle honeysuckle. The mouthfeel is notably viscous, with generous legs in the glass and a richness on the tongue. It’s indulgent without being cloying, and it avoids becoming overly sticky—a key sign of quality balance in a sweeter bourbon.

The finish is expressive, starting with a push of warming allspice before tapering gently into honeyed sweetness and a final return of black pepper. This combination keeps the finish engaging and persistent, with just enough spice to bring closure without harshness.

Casey Jones has crafted a thoughtful and distinctive bourbon here. While some might hesitate at its sub-three-year age statement, the accelerated maturation in 25-gallon barrels appears to have been managed skillfully. The nose hints at something overly sweet, but the palate course-corrects with surprising finesse and complexity. The apricot wine barrel finish is handled with restraint and creativity—enough to make one curious about what other distilleries could do with similar experiments.

At $90, the price feels ambitious. This is undeniably a quality pour, but a $70 price point would make it far more approachable without undervaluing the craftsmanship involved.

100.5 proof.

A- / $90 / caseyjonesdistillery.com

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