Rare Character Old Cassidy Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2026 Release
Rare Character Old Cassidy Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2026 Release
Rare Character Old Cassidy Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2026 Release is a limited annual cask-strength bourbon crafted from carefully selected Kentucky straight bourbon barrels, with 18-year-old Kentucky bourbon serving as the base of the blend. Distilled and aged in Kentucky and bottled in Lexington, this inaugural annual release brings together mature barrels chosen for depth, richness, and distinctive character.
Bottled at an impressive 123 proof (61.5% ABV) without dilution, Old Cassidy delivers a bold yet remarkably layered profile. Aromas of dark cherry, caramelized brown sugar, vanilla, and toasted oak lead into a rich palate of toffee, brown butter, dried fruit, molasses, and warming spice. The finish is long and warming, with lingering oak, honey, tobacco, and gentle spice.
A standout choice for serious bourbon enthusiasts and collectors, Rare Character Old Cassidy 2025 showcases the depth and complexity that can come from blending mature Kentucky bourbon at full cask strength.
Tasting Notes
Shipping
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Manufacturing
Our products are manufactured both locally and globally. We carefully select our manufacturing partners to ensure our products are high quality and a fair value.
Why Gifted Pour recommends it
This is a bottle for the bourbon lover who already has the everyday favorites covered and appreciates something with a story. Old Cassidy is the inaugural limited annual release from Rare Character Whiskey Co. It is blended from selected Kentucky straight bourbon barrels with 18-year-old Kentucky bourbon at its base, then bottled in Lexington at full cask strength, 123 proof. That makes it a fitting gift for a milestone birthday, a retirement, or a promotion worth marking properly. In the glass it opens with dark brown sugar, cherry syrup, caramel, and vanilla bean over seasoned oak and a hint of leather. The palate is rich and full-bodied, layering toffee, brown butter, dark cherry, dried fruit, cocoa, and molasses with warming baking spice. A long, velvety finish of oak, black pepper, honey, and tobacco follows. Encourage the recipient to pour it neat in a Glencairn, let it rest a moment, then add a few drops of water to see how the aromas unfold. It rewards slow, attentive sipping.
Pairs well with
- Dark chocolate and cherry dessert — The bourbon's cocoa, dark cherry, and molasses notes echo a bittersweet chocolate dessert without getting lost in it.
- Smoked brisket — Seasoned oak, black pepper, and tobacco on the finish stand up to smoky, peppery bark.
- Retirement or milestone celebration — An inaugural limited release with an 18-year-old bourbon base makes a considered toast to a career or decade well spent.
Questions about this bottle
How strong is Old Cassidy?
It is bottled at cask strength without dilution, at 123 proof (61.5% ABV). That intensity carries a lot of flavor, and a few drops of water can open the aromas and soften the heat.
What goes into this bourbon?
It is a blend of selected Kentucky straight bourbon barrels with 18-year-old Kentucky bourbon serving as the base. The mash bill is corn-dominant, and the whiskey was distilled and aged in Kentucky and bottled in Lexington.
Can I use it in cocktails?
Given its high proof and limited nature, it is best enjoyed as a sipping bourbon rather than a cocktail base. Try it neat, with a few drops of water, or over a single large ice cube that gradually tames the heat while keeping the oak and fruit character.
What does it taste like?
Expect dark brown sugar, cherry syrup, caramel, and vanilla on the nose, followed by toffee, brown butter, dark cherry, dried fruit, cocoa, and molasses on the palate. The finish is long and warm, with oak, black pepper, honey, tobacco, and vanilla sweetness. The bottle is 700 ml.
