Rare Hare 7 Year Old Blended Bourbon Whiskey Finished with French Oak Staves
Rare Hare 7 Year Old Blended Bourbon Whiskey Finished with French Oak Staves pairs seven years of Kentucky bourbon character with a Cognac-inspired finishing touch. The blend begins with Kentucky straight bourbon aged no less than seven years in charred new American oak barrels, then finishes with toasted French oak staves immersed in the whiskey, a technique adapted from the Cognac region's boisé tradition. Bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) in a 750mL bottle, it delivers bold American structure with a distinctly European polish.
- ABV: 50% (100 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 7 years
- Origin: Kentucky, USA
- Finish: Toasted French oak staves
- Brand: Rare Hare Spirits
A Kentucky Foundation
Rare Hare Spirits curates extraordinary whiskeys sourced from legendary distilling regions, and this release starts exactly where a great bourbon should: Kentucky straight bourbon, matured a full seven years in new charred American oak. That foundation brings classic bourbon notes of corn sweetness, vanilla, and oak spice, then the stave finish layers something rarer on top. Alongside the Rare Hare 15 Year Old American Whiskey, it shows the house's range, from patient aged stock to creatively finished blends, and it sits comfortably beside showpieces like the Rare Hare Lucky Bastard 30 Year Old Canadian Whiskey in the Rare Hare collection.
The French Oak Stave Finish
After maturation, toasted French oak staves are immersed in the whiskey rather than resting the spirit in a finished cask. By adjusting surface contact and toast level, the makers draw out cedar, sandalwood, and pink peppercorn warmth without overwhelming the bourbon with tannins. The result keeps its American oak backbone while adding a refined, almost Cognac-like finesse.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Light French oak leads with soft vanilla and rich toffee.
- Palate: An American oak foundation of earthy sarsaparilla and fragrant sandalwood, evolving into vibrant pink peppercorn spice.
- Finish: Crisp and clean, with lingering peppercorn warmth fading into smooth, toasty oak.
How to Enjoy
Pour it neat or over a single large cube to let the stave character open up, or build an Old Fashioned where the pink peppercorn spice plays against the bitters. Its 100-proof structure holds up beautifully in cocktails without losing the French oak nuance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proof is Rare Hare 7 Year Old Blended Bourbon Whiskey? It is bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV).
How is it finished? With toasted French oak staves immersed in the aged blend, a boisé-style technique adapted from Cognac, adding cedar, sandalwood, and pink peppercorn notes.
Is it a straight bourbon? It is a blended bourbon whiskey built on Kentucky straight bourbon aged at least seven years in new charred American oak barrels.
Who makes Rare Hare? Rare Hare Spirits, the Playboy Spirits collection developed with Spirits Investment Partners.
Rare Hare 7 Year Old Blended Bourbon Whiskey Finished with French Oak Staves is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor — browse the full bourbon whiskey shelf for more stave- and cask-finished releases.