Taconic Dutchess Private Reserve Cognac Cask Bourbon Review

By April Manning

Rating: C

Taconic Distillery was established in 2013 as Millbrook Distillery, by which name it was known until May 2015, and has impressively taken on being environmentally aware. They are located in an area that is concerned with creating a healthy, sustainable food system, including sustainable-food champion Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, so joining the farm-to-bottle movement was not a large leap.

Owner, Paul Coughlin, with a passion for the outdoors and a desire to work the land, decided to purchase part of a former beef farm in Stanfordville, New York in 2010.  Renamed Rolling Hills Farm, the 113 acres of rolling hills became the inspiration for Taconic Distillery. This also got his foot in the door to Dutchess County’s local agribusiness market. Enter Gerald Valenti, the co-founder of Taconic Distillery, whose passion for the earth and the bounty it provides is instrumental in the selection of locally sourced Hudson Valley grains utilized in their spirits. Also coming from the farm is natural spring water, perfect for the cutting of their product.

For this bourbon, Taconic has partnered with Remy Martin, one of the largest producers of cognac. Taconic utilizes the cognac casks in order to achieve a blend of sweet floral hints from brandy with the bold char of bourbon.

The Bourbon
Taconic Dutchess Private Reserve Bourbon Cognac Cask comes in at 90 proof (45 ABV) and has a reported mash bill of 70% corn, 25% rye and 5% barley. It begins life in new oak barrels and dwells there for three years and six months. Then it is relocated to spend another six months in a Remy Martin Cognac cask. Coming out at four years makes this bourbon still a young adult of a spirit, which is shown by the golden appearance.

To the nose there is a slight hint of vanilla that is resonant in most bourbons, along with hints of citrus that are probably a contribution of the cognac casks. To the pallet there is an astringency that hits in the front but dies down as it gets to the gullet and leaves no gastric after burn.  All in all, a decent sipping bourbon for brandy drinkers and a respectable mixer for those who are not.

The Price
A survey of online retailers has priced this at $50 to $80 per bottle.