Whiskey Review: Jefferson's Reserve Pritchard Hill Cabernet Cask Finished Bourbon

There’s something both amusing and humbling about revisiting our early reviews. In those days, our scores often reflected a stricter stance, and we didn’t always weigh market value as heavily as we do now.

Case in point: our review of Jefferson's Reserve Pritchard Hill. Were we too harsh in our judgment, or did we have it right all along? Maybe it’s worth revisiting. Keep reading to see where we ended up.

This review is taken from our episode "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire / Jefferson's Pritchard Hill." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.

Introduction

Today, we're diving into Jefferson's Pritchard Hill Cabernet Cask Finished Whiskey, an intriguing expression from Jefferson’s Reserve line. This bourbon starts as a 15-year aged whiskey before being finished for an additional 12 months in French oak casks previously used for Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. At 90.2 proof, it promises a smoother, less punchy experience than some higher-proof options like Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Phifer Pavitt Reserve, a wine-cask-finished bourbon that has set a high bar for us. Jefferson’s has a lot to prove here, so let’s get into the details.

What does Jefferson’s Pritchard Hill Whiskey smell like?

Brad: You know, I’ve heard leathery used to describe whiskey before, and I’m definitely picking that up here. It’s almost like a horse’s saddle—well-oiled, rich leather. I kind of like it.

Bob: I understand you mean that as a compliment, but it just sounds insulting. To me, it’s floral, but not like a younger rye. This smells like pollen—just flowers and alcohol. After letting it sit, I got an interesting berries-and-cream note, almost like a cheesecake with fresh berries. It’s appealing, but it took a while to develop. I’m giving it a 6.5/10.

Brad: That cheesecake and raspberry note stands out to me too. I really like this nose, but it doesn’t blow me away. I’ll give it a 7.5/10.

Jefferson’s Pritchard Hill offers floral, leathery, and creamy berry notes on the nose, but it takes time to develop fully.

How does Jefferson’s Pritchard Hill taste?

Brad: On the tip of my tongue, I get traditional whiskey notes—oak and a bit of corn sweetness. As it lingers, the red fruity notes from the wine cask come through, but they feel a bit dry.

Bob: I like this at first, but it reminds me of Bardstown’s The Prisoner. It starts with sweetness and the red wine character but shifts into a dry red wine profile that flattens the experience. A great wine-finished bourbon should balance caramel and spice with the wine’s dryness, but this one just doesn’t do that. It sucks the sharpness and spice out of the bourbon, leaving everything kind of meh. I’m giving it a 5.5/10.

Brad: I think the dryness works for me. I enjoy those red wine notes, even though they overpower some of the bourbon’s character. I’ll stick with a 7.5/10.

The taste starts strong with sweet and fruity notes but leans heavily into dry red wine flavors, losing some of the bourbon’s depth.

What is the finish like on Jefferson’s Pritchard Hill?

Brad: The finish really struggles. It dissipates quickly, leaving behind a slightly sour note in my throat. There’s almost no Kentucky hug, and the flavors just fade. I’m giving it a 3.5/10.

Bob: I agree. It’s basically bitter alcohol and oak on the finish. There’s no lingering sweetness or complexity, which is disappointing. I’ll give it a 4/10.

Jefferson’s Pritchard Hill has a short, bitter finish that lacks depth or complexity.

Is Jefferson’s Pritchard Hill well-balanced?

Brad: The nose and palate connect well, but the finish doesn’t follow through. It’s not a well-balanced whiskey. I’m giving it a 4/10.

Bob: The nose leads into the palate, but it all falls apart at the finish. It’s a straight line from nose to taste, and then the finish just nosedives. I’ll give it a 5.5/10, but that’s generous.

Jefferson’s Pritchard Hill struggles with balance, particularly as the finish fails to deliver on the promise of the nose and palate.

Is Jefferson’s Pritchard Hill a good value?

Brad: At around $80, I don’t think this delivers what it should. It’s interesting but overpriced for what it offers. I’ll give it a 3.5/10.

Bob: In Ohio, it’s $65, but even at that price, I don’t think it’s worth it. If it were $40, I’d feel better about recommending it. For $65, I’m giving it a 4/10.

Jefferson’s Pritchard Hill doesn’t offer enough value at its $65–$80 price point, especially when compared to other wine-cask-finished bourbons.

Final Scores
Bob: I’m at a 25.5/50.

Brad: I’m at a 26/50.

Average: 25.75/50

This whiskey falls below our 35/50 benchmark for a solid recommendation. It’s worth trying if you find it at a bar, but we can’t recommend buying a bottle at its current price. Jefferson’s Pritchard Hill offers an interesting concept but ultimately falls flat in execution, especially when compared to standout wine-cask-finished bourbons like Bardstown’s Phifer Pavitt Reserve.