Dark Art's The Empyrean Red & White Port Wine Cask Finish Bourbon Whiskey
55.68% ABV (111.36 proof) | 750mL | 7.5 years old | High-rye 60/36/4 mash bill | Red AND white port cask finished | Blended & bottled in Kentucky — Dark Arts Whiskey House's "The Empyrean" is the Lexington, Kentucky blender's port-cask opus: a 7.5-year high-rye bourbon (60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley; distilled in Indiana) finished in BOTH red and white port wine casks — two separate finishes, blended together — and bottled at a bold 111.36 proof. From founder and Chief Alchemist Macaulay Minton — available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
Dark Arts is Kentucky's mad-science blending house: small batches, unusual casks, full disclosure. The Empyrean takes the red-port-finish playbook and doubles it — red port for dark fruit depth, white port for lifted, honeyed brightness — then blends the two finishes into one bourbon. At 111.36 proof with seven and a half years behind it, this is a finished bourbon with the structure to carry the wine casks rather than drown in them. Platinum at the 2025 Ascot Awards and Silver at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition back the bottle.
Tasting notes
Brand and competition notes describe a port-driven but bourbon-true profile: dark cherry and blackberry from the red port, apricot and honeyed white flowers from the white port, over high-rye spice, caramel and oak. At 111.36 proof expect intensity — dark, vinous, warming, with a long port-and-pepper finish. No official distillery tasting notes were published — describe from brand/competition copy only.
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- Red AND white port finishes, blended — two wine-cask finishes in one bourbon
- 111.36 proof, 7.5 years, high-rye 60/36/4 mash bill
- Platinum Ascot 2025 · Silver SFWSC 2025 · Best Cask Strength Silver NOBF 2025
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Neat with water on the side — at 111.36 proof a splash opens the port layers. A cigar-pairing bourbon if ever there was one.
Frequently asked questions
What does "red & white port" mean?
The bourbon was finished in red port wine casks and white port wine casks separately, and the two finishes were blended together — not a single mixed cask.
Who makes Dark Arts whiskey?
Dark Arts Whiskey House of Lexington, Kentucky — founder and Chief Alchemist Macaulay Minton (with co-founder David Peet). The bourbon is distilled in Indiana (MGP) and blended/bottled in Kentucky.
Is this the same as other Empyrean batches?
No — a separate 2025 batch exists at 8 years / 116.5 proof. This draft is for the 7.5-year, 111.36-proof bottling — the bottle label reads 7.5 years / 111.36 proof (photo-verified).