Bull Run 16 Year Old American Whiskey Finished in Oregon Pinot Noir Casks
Bull Run 16 Year Old American Whiskey Finished in Oregon Pinot Noir Casks is Portland's Bull Run Distilling at its most patient: a 96% corn / 4% malted barley whiskey aged 16 years in ex-bourbon casks, then finished up to a year in Oregon Pinot Noir French oak barrels, released uncut at batch proof (bottles have ranged 48.09–48.89% ABV) in this 750mL bottle — and it is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
Bull Run Distilling, founded in Portland, Oregon in 2010 by head distiller Lee Medoff, makes whiskey with soft water from the Bull Run watershed. This expression is a corn whiskey at heart — 96% corn — and because it never aged in new charred oak, it carries the American whiskey (not bourbon) designation. After 16 years in ex-bourbon casks, the whiskey rested in Oregon Pinot Noir barrels (some from the Dundee Hills and Willamette Valley AVAs), which dry out the finish and layer red-wine character over the grain sweetness.
Tasting notes (distillery copy): eucalyptus with a hint of mint up front; creamy vanilla and slight tobacco on the palate; a finish like a dry red wine, with added dryness from the residual wine character.
Why buy Bull Run 16? Because 16-year-old American craft whiskey is rare enough — one finished in genuine Oregon Pinot Noir barrels, bottled uncut, is rarer still. Browse the American whiskey collection, more from the Bull Run brand collection, and other whisky finished in wine casks.
Serving note: the distillery suggests a few drops of water or a large ice cube to open it; pairs with Bing cherries, bittersweet chocolate, and oranges.
Is this a high-rye whiskey? No — it is 96% corn / 4% malted barley; any "high-rye" language on older copy is incorrect.
What proof is it? Bottled uncut at batch proof — recent bottlings have ranged 96.18 to 97.78 proof.
Why American whiskey instead of bourbon? It never aged in new charred oak — 16 years in ex-bourbon casks — so it cannot be called bourbon under the legal definition.
How long was the wine finish? Up to one year in Oregon Pinot Noir French oak barrels.