Three Chord Strange Collaboration Review
In-Depth Review
The story of Three Chord Bourbon’s Strange Collaboration begins with Kentucky sourced 2-6 year bourbon whiskey that is then finished for 3 months in California Pinot Noir barrels sourced from Strange Family Vineyards in Santa Rita, California. According to Three Chord, the whiskey used for this marriage is selected for their “low fusel oil content and light body” – which no doubt lends itself to taking on more flavors from the rich red wine. After resting in Strange Family French oak barrels, the spirit is then bottled at an unusual 99 proof and offered at an MSRP of $50. I was lucky enough to grab a sample as part of a tasting with the Three Chord Bourbon team through the Whiskey Bourbon and Scotch Enthusiast group on Facebook. I appreciate the Three Chord team sending this my way!
Age: Non-Age Stated (But a blend of 2-6 years)
ABV: 49.5%
Cask: Virgin Oak then Finished in Pinot Noir casks from Strange Family Vineyards
MSRP: $50
Distillery Name: Three Chord Bourbon
Review Date: 10/24/21
Color: Rust
Nose: The nose starts off with big fruits notes – lots of green apple, honeydew melon, and a tart crisp note that comes off as lively and refreshing. Then waves of red wine influence pull through, with the Pinot casks showing a heavy influence here. As the whiskey settles, the nose becomes drier, brighter, and a bit shiny with a tannic note reminiscent of wood varnish.
Palate: On the palate the Pinot finish really shines with big juicy red fruits, cantaloupe, and an earthy minerality. It’s sweeter than the nose, but still firmly on the savory side with clove and star anise notes poking through. Strangely I get a hint of white glue somewhere in the middle as well. As with many wine finished bourbons I’ve experienced, the mouthfeel is a letdown. It’s thinner than I expect for almost 100 proof, and is more tannic and less viscous than I hoped.
Finish: Medium length finish that is an extension of the dry and more wood forward palate. It’s a simple finish that leaves me wanting a bit more spice out of the nearly 100 proof.
Final Thoughts: My streak of disappointment with wine finished bourbon continues. I haven’t had the best luck with bourbons finished in red wine, and in the case of Three Chord’s Strange Collaboration, the red wine dominated in such a strong way it’s hard not to think it was designed to overcompensate for a fault in the bourbon itself. The blended bourbon spirit is tamed and softened by the red wine, but leaves the resulting marriage relatively simple, and missing a sense of overall excitement. This Strange Collaboration isn’t a sweet, dessert style experience, and is instead a more savory whiskey best paired with food – where the whisky can accentuate other flavors, instead of relying on its own. While this Strange Collaboration may not be the finished bourbon for me – for any red wine lovers out there, this may be the perfect blend of fiery Kentucky spirit and delicate California red wine.
