Belle Meade Bourbon
Craftsman Cask Collection

The Belle Meade Bourbon Craftsman Cask Collection is a series of unique, almost experimental, cask-finished Bourbons done in extremely limited quantities. The entire series features well aged Bourbon that has been finished in unique casks, each with its own story to tell. Bottled at cask strength, each release represents entirely unique expressions of Bourbon.

These unique expressions are released and revealed one at a time throughout the year, each with its own release date. The Craftsman Cask Collection series is sold exclusively at the Distillery Bottle Shop while supplies last.

Release dates and reveals will be announced via Belle Meade Bourbon and Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery social media. So follow along and stay tuned.

2021 Releases

BELLE MEADE BOURBON HONEY CASK FINISH

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PRODUCT DETAILS:

This year's Honey Cask bourbon begins with a blend sourced from seven cask strength barrels.

We have once again partnered with our good friends at TruBee Honey Farm in Arrington, TN who fill our empty Belle Meade Bourbon barrels with local wildflower honey and allow it to age in order to produce a Barrel-Aged Honey—some of the finest nectar around. Check out their story here. Once the TruBee process is complete, we take the "honey barrels" back and fill them with our proprietary blend to finish for an additional 6-8 months. The result is one of Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery’s most celebrated creations: Belle Meade Bourbon Honey Cask Finish. Perfection!

Proof: 106
Nose: Rose Petal, Tea Leaf, Cedar, Cinnamon
Palate: Toasted pastry, toffee, cinnamon, caramel, orange
Finish: Very long finish, hints of cashew, vanilla, baking spices and…honey.

Bourbon finished in Honey Casks. 53 % alcohol/volume

BELLE MEADE BOURBON PEACH CASK FINISH

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PRODUCT DETAILS:

In celebration of National Peach Day, we’re excited to announce the limited release of Belle Meade Bourbon Peach Brandy Cask Finish, the latest entry in our popular Craftsman Cask Collection. Aged for 16 months in a peach brandy cask, this exclusive bourbon will only be available for a very short amount of time.

Similar to the rest of the collection, we’ve carefully chosen a barrel that will bring a new light to our bourbon, creating a floral and aromatic pour that exhibits a long finish to show off the peach flavor inherited from the brandy cask. After aging a barrel of Belle Meade Bourbon for nine years, we then transferred the whiskey to the peach brandy cask, where it finished for 16 months in our Nashville barrel room. We patiently waited to create the next exciting chapter of our Craftsman Cask Collection, and we couldn’t be more excited to share the exceptional results.

Proof: 119.4
Nose: Delightfully floral and aromatic with hints of nutmeg, vanilla and cocoa powder
Palate: Cocoa notes continue on the palate and punches of mint and candied dark cherries. First hints of peach on the mid-palate.
Finish: Long finish showing more hints of vanilla and peach with tannins on the finish.

Bourbon finished in Honey Casks, 59.7 % alcohol/volume

BELLE MEADE BOURBON TEQUILA CASK FINISH

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PRODUCT DETAILS:

Celebrate National Tequila Day with a truly rare and exclusive release, Belle Meade Bourbon Tequila Cask Finish. In collaboration with Casa Noble Tequila, Belle Meade Bourbon’s latest Craftsman Cask release features our signature bourbon blend finished in a Casa Noble Reposado Tequila barrel.

To create this outstanding expression of our Craftsman Cask collection, Casa Noble aged their Reposado Tequila in a new French Oak barrel for 364 days, emptied it, then sent that barrel to Nashville, where we finished our Belle Meade Bourbon in it by allowing it to rest for 15 months. The complex aromas of the Casa Noble cask have subtly intermingled with our high-rye mash bill Belle Meade Bourbon, creating another distinct and exciting flavor profile that followers of our Craftsman Cask series have come to expect.

Proof: 118.9
Nose: Earthy with hints of floral cinnamon, tobacco and sandalwood
Palate: Full mouthfeel with punches of stewed fruit, sage cherry and hints of orange peel
Finish: Solidly long and herbaceous with hints of clove.
Time in Casa Noble Reposado Tequila cask: 15 months

Bourbon finished in Casa Noble Reposado Tequila Casks, 59 % alcohol/volume

BELLE MEADE BOURBON CHERRY CASK FINISH

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PRODUCT DETAILS:

Just in time for the holidays, we’re excited to announce the limited release of Belle Meade Bourbon Cherry Brandy Cask Finish, the latest entry in our popular Craftsman Cask Collection. Finished for 24 months in a cherry brandy cask, this exclusive bourbon will only be available for a very short amount of time.

Similar to the rest of the collection, we’ve carefully chosen a barrel that will bring a new light to our bourbon. Featuring a rye forward nose with a hint of caramelized banana, this cask has produced beautiful cherry flavors that really shine on the palate and create a long finish full of spices like peppercorn, cinnamon, and cumin. After aging a barrel of Belle Meade Bourbon for nine years, we then transferred the whiskey to the cherry brandy cask, where it finished for 24 months in our Nashville barrel room. After years of waiting to taste the results of our latest Craftsman Cask Collection release, we couldn’t be more excited to share the exceptional results.

Proof: 117.1
Nose: Rye forward with almond, orange blossom and a hint of caramelized banana.
Palate: Orange peel shows with bright cherry and punches of vanilla and clove.
Finish: Long finish with peppercorn, cinnamon and a subtle earthiness (cumin).

Bourbon finished in cherry brandy cask, 58.55 % alcohol/volume

2020 Releases

We are redefining the meaning of the term “Honey Barrel.”
In distillery lingo a "honey barrel" is said to be a barrel that produces exceptional flavor qualities. We're taking it to the next level.
For this project we partnered with our friends at Trubee Honey. Check out their story here. They are a fantastic local artisan honey producer dedicated to doing things the right way. We started out by giving Trubee freshly dumped "honey barrels" (traditional meaning) that had aged 11 year old Belle Meade Single Barrel Bourbon. They then filled the barrels with local wildflower honey and allowed it to age in the barrel to produce their Barrel Aged Honey. They then emptied these now, quite literal, "honey barrels" and gave them back to us. We then let the Bourbon rest in these "honey barrels" for a few months until the flavor was just the right balance of whiskey to honey and sweet to strong.
The resulting Bourbon, flavored with real honey in "honey barrels", tastes like no other honey whiskey on the market. The bold and deliciously rich nature of this cask strength Bourbon makes it perfect for sipping neat, on the rocks, or for making a high proof classic cocktail.
Bourbon finished in honey casks.

HONEY CASK
Released: 3/7/2020
Proof: 108.5 - 109.5
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A robust nose of caramel, black cherry, cedar and floral notes.
Palate: Full of black cherry, raspberry, vanilla, toasted oak, baking spices and currant.
Finish: Very long and accentuated by baking spices and cedar atop a bed of dark fruit and caramel.
Proof: 108.9 - 109.5
Time in Mourvèdre Casks: 4 months and 1 day
Age of Belle Meade Bourbon: a blend ranging from 4-12 years
We are extremely thrilled to announce our second release of our 2020 Craftsman Collection, Belle Meade Bourbon Mourvèdre Cask Finish. Each year for this release, we partner with our friends at Withers Winery, located on the Sonoma Coast in California.
If you are not familiar with Mourvèdre, it is a full-bodied red wine grape variety grown in many regions of the world and is one of the primary grapes grown by Withers Winery. Here is a list of key facts about this year's Mourvèdre Cask finished Belle Meade Bourbon.
Bourbon finished in Mourvèdre Casks, 54.25 - 54.75 % alcohol/volume

MOURVÈDRE CASK
Released: 6/17/2020
Proof: 109.1-111.3
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Vanilla, citrus and rye spices, cinnamon.
Palate: Hints dark chocolate on the front with punches of vanilla a touch of pepper.
Finish: Heavy cacao nib, roasted espresso and hints of leather.
Time in Black Belle Barrels: 1 year, 11 months
Age of Belle Meade Bourbon: 9 years
For our 3rd and final selection of the 2020 Craftsman Cask Collection we are proud to announce the return of the Black Belle. This annual collaboration with Blackstone Brewery in Nashville, TN is the one that started it all.
In 2017 we released one barrel of this remarkable beer barrel finished Bourbon and it set the internet on fire. It gave us the idea that trying our hand at other experimental finishes might be fun and thus the Craftsman Cask Collection was born. In 2018, we released three barrels of “Black Belle,” and three more in 2019 and once again, it was a hit.
This year’s Belle Meade "Black Belle" Bourbon is aged for a minimum of 9 years and then finishes its aging for an additional 1 year and 11months inside of Imperial Stout barrels from Blackstone Brewing in Nashville Tennessee.
Once we dump the initial barrels, we send them to Blackstone Brewing where they then fill them with their Black Belle Imperial Stout. This 10.2% ABV stout is infused with cocoa nibs and rests in the used Bourbon barrels for 7 months. After Blackstone Brewing dumps the barrel, they send them back to us and we fill it again with 9-year-old Bourbon and let it rest for an additional 1 year and 11 months. The result is a robust Bourbon with chocolate and stout notes that smooth the palate, lengthen the finish, and bring even more complexity to the already stellar whiskey.
Bourbon finished in Imperial Stout Casks, 54.55 - 55.65 % alcohol/volume

BLACK BELLE
Released: 11/17/2020

2019 Releases

Tasting Notes:
Nose: Honey, cinnamon, cedar, caramel and floral accents
Palate: Honey glazed pastry, toffee, caramel, cinnamon, and orange.
Finish: Long and pleasant showing honey, cashew. vanilla, and baking spices.
Proof: 111.8
In distillery lingo a "honey barrel" is said to be a barrel that produces exceptional flavor qualities. We're taking it to the next level.
For this project we partnered with our friends at Trubee Honey. Check out their story here. They are a fantastic local artisan honey producer dedicated to doing things the right way. We started out by giving Trubee freshly dumped "honey barrels" (traditional meaning) that had aged 11 year old Belle Meade Single Barrel Bourbon. They then filled the barrels with local wildflower honey and allowed it to age in the barrel to produce their Barrel Aged Honey. They then emptied these now, quite literal, "honey barrels" and gave them back to us. We then refilled the barrels with our signature high rye blend of Bourbon. For this second release release we used 11 year old Bourbon. We then let the Bourbon rest in these "honey barrels" for a few months until the flavor was just the right balance of whiskey to honey and sweet to strong.
The resulting Bourbon, flavored with real honey in "honey barrels", tastes like no other honey whiskey on the market. The bold and deliciously rich nature of this cask strength Bourbon makes it perfect for sipping neat, on the rocks, or for making a high proof classic cocktail.
Bourbon finished in honey casks, 55.9 % alcohol/volume

HONEY CASK
Released: 2/2/2019
Tasting Notes
Nose: A robust nose of caramel, black cherry, cedar and floral notes.
Palate: Full of black cherry, raspberry, vanilla, toasted oak, baking spices and currant.
Finish: Very long and accentuated by baking spices and cedar atop a bed of dark fruit and caramel.
Proof: 101.6
Time in Mourvédre Cask: 167 days
A blend of 11 year old 21% rye bourbon was rested in a single Mourvédre cask and the result is spectacular. Price, $125
228 Liter French Oak Cask
Cask filled: 11/28/17
Cask harvested: 5/11/18
Cask bottled: 5/14/18
Bourbon finished in Mourvédre Casks, 50.8 % alcohol/volume

MOURVÉDRE CASK
Released: 6/1/2019
Proof: 96.3 or 95, depending on the barrel
Time in Barrel: 1 year
Our third release in the 2019 Craftsman Cask Collection is a return to the one that started it all, Black Belle.
In 2017 we released one barrel of this remarkable beer barrel finished Bourbon and it set the internet on fire. It gave us the idea that trying our hand at other experimental finishes might be fun and thus the Craftsman Cask Collection was born. In 2018, we released three more barrels of “Black Belle,” and once again, it was a hit.
Belle Meade "Black Belle" Bourbon is aged for 10-11 years and then finishes its aging inside of Imperial Stout barrels from Blackstone Brewing in Nashville Tennessee. The barrels start their journey as a Bourbon barrel from our distillery where they are one of the few barrels selected to have aged a Single Barrel worthy Bourbon. Once we dump the barrels, we send them to Blackstone Brewing where they then fill them with their Black Belle Imperial Stout. This 10.2% ABV stout is infused with cocoa nibs and rests in the used Bourbon barrels for at least 7 months. After Blackstone Brewing dumps the barrel they send them back to us and we fill it again with Bourbon and let it rest for an additional 12 months. The result is a robust Bourbon with chocolate and stout notes that smooth the palate, lengthen the finish, and bring even more complexity to the already stellar whiskey.
Bourbon finished in Imperial Stout Casks, 48.15 or 47.5 % alcohol/volume

BLACK BELLE
Released: 7/4/2019
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Full and sweet showing brown sugar, raisin, honey, and shortbread
Palate: Robust showing brown sugar, dried dates, cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of leather.
Finish: Long, with notes of fig, cinnamon, and a hint of tobacco.
On April 9th of 1940 four casks filled with Spanish Brandy lay resting in the hold of a cargo ship. The ship was readying to enter port at Oslo Norway where the casks would be unloaded. However, as the ship approached the harbor the Axis forces took control of the port and Norway was suddenly thrust into World War 2. The Captain of the ship had to make a choice, enter port and take the chance that his ship and crew would be taken, or turn around and sail through U-boat infested waters back to Spain. The Captain and crew braved the voyage home and survived to tell their tale.
Once returned to their original home the casks were used to age fine Spanish Brandy for 75 years until they were finally retired. That’s when the Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery team found them and decided to write the next chapter in these casks amazing story. The casks made yet another voyage by ship, this time to the United States where we filled them with 11 year old Bourbon. We then allowed the whiskey to set for more than three additional years in casks as the new world spirit slowly took on the old world character of the Spanish Brandy.
Now, 79 years after their first use, these casks are ready to show the world that the old adage is true, some things are better with time.
This limited release will be available only in the Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery gift shop while supplies last.
Bourbon finished in Brandy Casks

BRANDY CASK
Released: 11/30/2019

2018 Releases

Tasting Notes
Nose: A robust nose of caramel, black cherry, cedar and floral notes.
Palate: Full of black cherry, raspberry, vanilla, toasted oak, baking spices and currant.
Finish: Very long and accentuated by baking spices and cedar atop a bed of dark fruit and caramel.
Proof: 117.8
Time in Mourvedre Cask: 148 days
Mourvedre is one of the primary grapes grown by Withers Winery. Located in California’s Sonoma Coast the winery produces mouthwatering lush and rich wines from this noble varietal. Owner Andrew Tow has been a fan of Belle Meade Bourbon since day one, and when he sent Andy and Charlie Nelson a Mourvedre cask, the brothers knew something special was about to happen. This 10 year-old Bourbon was rested in a single Mourvedre cask and the result is spectacular. Price, $150
Bourbon finished in Mourvedre casks, 58.9 % alcohol/volume

MOURVEDRE CASK
Released: 3/10/2018
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Honey, cinnamon, cedar, caramel and floral accents
Palate: Honey glazed pastry, caramel, orange, and cinnamon.
Finish: Long and pleasant showing honey, cashew. vanilla, and baking spices.
Proof: 113.6 or 105.9 (two proofs, depending on barrel)
In distillery lingo a "honey barrel" is said to be a barrel that produces exceptional flavor qualities. We're taking it to the next level.
For this project we partnered with our friends at Trubee Honey. Check out their story here. They are a fantastic local artisan honey producer dedicated to doing things the right way. We started out by giving Trubee freshly dumped "honey barrels" (traditional meaning) that had aged 10 year old Belle Meade Single Barrel Bourbon. They then filled the barrels with Summer vintage wildflower honey and allowed it to age in the barrel to produce their Barrel Aged Honey. They then emptied these now, quite literal, "honey barrels" and gave them back to us. We then refilled the barrels with our signature high rye blend of Bourbon. For this project we used 8-11 year old Bourbon. We then let the Bourbon rest in these "honey barrels" for a few months until the flavor was just the right balance of whiskey to honey and sweet to strong.
The resulting Bourbon, flavored with real honey in "honey barrels", tastes like no other honey whiskey on the market. The bold and deliciously rich nature of this cask strength Bourbon makes it perfect for sipping neat, on the rocks, or for making a high proof classic cocktail.
Bourbon finished in honey casks, 56.8 - 52.95 % alcohol/volume

HONEY CASK
Released: 5/12/2018
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Red cherry, nutmeg, caramel, and toasted oak
Palate: Caramel and red cherry lead the way with cedar, plum, cinnamon, and clementine rounding out the mid palate
Finish: The finish is long showing plum, black cherry, vanilla, cedar, baking spices and a touch of cocoa
Proof: 97.8 Proof
Time in Tannat Cask: 181 Days
Belle Meade Bourbon Tannat Select Cask is the 3rd addition in the Craftsman Cask Collection. The oak cask is from Ramona Ranch Winery just East of San Diego California was first used to age 100% Estate Tannat which won a Double Gold, Best In Class recognition at the Sonoma Grand Harvest Awards.
Balancing the Bourbon with the aggressive nature of Tannat took careful watching of the progression of the finishing cask but the results were worth the time and attention. This cask strength bottling brings a mouthful of flavor and is certain to make you sit up and take notice as the Bourbon and Tannat weave back and forth throughout the tasting experience. Each take the lead at different points but come together for a truly harmonious conclusion. This complex and daring whiskey should be enjoyed neat, with a splash, or on the rocks.
Bourbon finished in Tannat casks, 48.9 % alcohol/volume

TANNAT SELECT CASK
Released: 9/1/2018
Our fourth release in the 2018 Craftsman Cask Collection is a return to the one that started it all, Black Belle. In 2017 we released one barrel of this remarkable beer barrel finished Bourbon and it set the internet on fire. It gave us the idea that trying our hand at other experimental finishes might be fun and thus the Craftsman Cask Collection was born. We will release three barrels worth of Black Belle on Black Friday at the distillery.

This years’ Belle Meade "Black Belle" Bourbon is aged for 10-11 years and then finishes its aging inside of Imperial Stout barrels from Blackstone Brewing in Nashville Tennessee. The barrels start their journey as a Bourbon barrel from our distillery where they are one of the few barrels selected to have aged a Single Barrel worthy Bourbon. Once we dump the barrels, we send them to Blackstone Brewing where they then fill them with their Black Belle Imperial Stout. This 10.2% ABV stout is infused with cocoa nibs and rests in the used Bourbon barrels for at least 7 months. After Blackstone Brewing dumps the barrel they send them back to us and we fill it again with Bourbon and let it rest for an additional 12 months. The result is a robust Bourbon with chocolate and stout notes that smooth the palate, lengthen the finish, and bring even more complexity to the already stellar whiskey.
Bourbon finished in Imperial Stout Casks

BLACK BELLE
Released: 11/23/2018