Jefferson’s Old Rum Cask Finish Bourbon Whiskey
Jefferson's Old Rum Cask Finish Bourbon Whiskey is a 90.2-proof (45.1% ABV) bourbon in a 750mL bottle, finished for 15 months in rum casks that previously held Goslings Family Reserve rum. After many years (about eight, per third-party sources) in new American white oak, the bourbon takes on a deep rum-cask layer — molasses, banana, and chocolate ganache over classic bourbon sweetness. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 45.1% (90.2 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Finish: 15 months in ex-Goslings Family Reserve rum casks (Bermuda)
- Base: approximately eight years in new American white oak before finishing (third-party; official site says "many years")
- Origin: Jefferson's Bourbon, founded 1997 in Kentucky by Trey Zoeller (now part of Pernod Ricard); high-rye mash bill (>51% corn, undisclosed)
Rum Meets Rye-Spice Bourbon: The Jefferson's Story
Jefferson's was founded in 1997 by Trey Zoeller and his father Chet with a simple thesis: bourbon gets more interesting when it travels. The Old Rum Cask Finish starts as the brand's signature high-rye bourbon, aged about eight years in new oak, then spends 15 months in casks that held Goslings Family Reserve — Bermuda's iconic black-seal rum — for 16 years. The result is a bourbon whiskey with a genuine rum soul, not just a rum whisper.
Tasting Notes
The official notes lead with strong rum influence — molasses, banana, crusty sourdough — over caramel corn, cinnamon, chocolate ganache, and vanilla. The finish is long: vanilla, soft allspice, and toasted marshmallow. A cask-finished whiskey where both casks show up to the party.
How to Enjoy
Neat or with a splash of water — the 90.2 proof opens beautifully. It also makes a revelatory rum-bourbon hybrid Old Fashioned. More from the house at the Jefferson's vendor page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What rum casks does Jefferson's use?
Casks that previously held Goslings Family Reserve rum from Bermuda, for a 15-month finish.
How old is Jefferson's Old Rum Cask Finish?
The bourbon spends about eight years in new American oak before the 15-month rum-cask finish (the official site states "many years").
What proof is Jefferson's Rum Cask Finish?
90.2 proof (45.1% ABV).
For bourbon with a true rum soul, buy Jefferson's Old Rum Cask Finish Bourbon Whiskey online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
