The Cabinet Barrel Proof Blended Whiskey 2023
The Cabinet Barrel Proof Blended Whiskey 2023 is Proof & Wood's love letter to the blending bench: a cask-strength marriage of straight rye and straight bourbon whiskeys, aged 5 to 9 years, bottled at 56.26% ABV without chill filtration — a Double Gold winner at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition — and it is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
The 2023 release blends rye whiskeys distilled in Indiana (2014–2017, 95% rye / 5% malted barley mash bill) with bourbon whiskeys (2016–2017) built on two mash bills — 99% corn / 1% malted barley and 75% corn / 21% rye / 4% malted barley. Distilled in Indiana, then aged, blended, and bottled in Kentucky by Proof & Wood, from roughly 20 hand-selected barrels.
Tasting notes: rich caramel and vanilla up front, rye spice — cinnamon, clove, mint — through the middle, dark chocolate and toasted oak on a long, warming finish.
Why buy the 2023? Because barrel-proof rye-bourbon blends with real age statements and a Double Gold medal rarely stay available — each year's Cabinet is a one-time snapshot. Explore the American whiskey collection, the bourbon whiskey collection, and all whisky.
Serving note: neat first to taste it at full strength; a few drops of water open the chocolate and spice.
What is the ABV? 56.26% ABV (barrel proof), 750mL — sources round the proof to 112.5.
What is in the blend? Straight rye whiskeys (95% rye mash bill, distilled 2014–2017) and straight bourbon whiskeys (two mash bills, distilled 2016–2017), aged 5–9 years.
Where is it made? Distilled in Indiana, aged, blended, and bottled in Kentucky by Proof & Wood Ventures.
Has it won awards? Yes — Double Gold at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.