Rabbit Hole Distillery, out of Louisville, KY, commenced operations in 2012. Their founding purpose centered on bringing a sort of disruption to what they found to be a monotonous bourbon landscape. In order to disrupt the status quo, founder Kaveh Zamanian devoted himself to studying ways to challenge the bourbon status quo. A clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst by trade, Mr. Zamanian entrenched himself in finding creative expressions of classic profiles. Today, we look at their attempt of a bourbon with the Rabbit Hole Dareringer Bourbon review.

Though I assume a reasoning of sorts exists for the peculiar name ‘Dareringer’, none are forthcoming. Nevertheless, it’s exotic and thought provoking enough to resound. Beyond the name, Rabbit Hole does not provide a breakdown of the mash bill. What we do know is that Dareringer is twice finished in new toasted and charred American oak barrels. It is then finished in Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks and never chill filtered. While Rabbit Hole also doesn’t provide specifics on aging length, we do know it lands at 93 proof (46.5% ABV). While Rabbit Hole affords a generous amount of the philosophical and ethical framework behind their spirits, the basics would also be nice to know. Nevertheless, down the Rabbit Hole we go!

Bottle and Appearance

In the bottle, Dareringer strikes a dark cherry wood profile and largely retains the coloring into the glass. Giving it a swirl in said glass demonstrates an above average thickness. Slow forming and uniform in both size and width, the legs put on a nice show as though rehearsed. The bottle itself conveys a sharp classiness with contrasting lines and shapely curves. It certainly wouldn’t be embarrassing to showcase this in the private collection. Finally, the bottle provides ample information – enough at least to get a feeling for the ride ahead.

Nose

Dareringer enters the nose gently with a mild drying effect. The cask finish becomes immediately apparent as a sherry sheen glazes over the profile. While somewhat difficult to initially pierce, the sherry covering eventually gives way to vanilla and caramel forming something akin to a bubble gum. This is fleeting, however, and a banana nut bread seeps into the picture. Additionally, a tart sweetness from cranberry rounds it out. At the end though, the sherry circles around and really puts its stamp on the overall profile. The experience is nice but light and requires some diligence to get through the stubborn sherry.

Palate

Moving into the mouth, Dareringer delivers a mouth warming experience. Upfront a heavy, dense sweetness of red cherries and simple syrup emerges. This combination yields a cough-drop profile, and the menthol that follows truly heralds an underlying medicinal quality. Some sweet corn factors in as well but mainly stays in the background. What doesn’t stay hidden is a notable and protracted stinging sensation from the alcohol. This forms enough of a distraction that is hard to ignore. Nevertheless, what essentially issues forth is a somewhat sweet yet mild cough medicine.

Finish

The finish takes a noticeably different direction from the palate. Milk chocolate leads off and is joined shortly by a perfectly spiced cinnamon. The corn remains but is sprinkled with fresh black pepper here. So far so good, and then out of nowhere comes a delicious butterscotch. It’s always nice to encounter a butterscotch that doesn’t feel overly sweet or desert like, and Dareringer performs an admirable display of the note. The finish draws out and takes its time delivering both depth and warmth. Its the best part of the whiskey and saves it after a shaky palate.

Drinkability

Dareringer is recommended on the rocks. The melted water allows the butterscotch out much earlier, all the way forward to the palate. As the definitive highlight of the whiskey, that’s certainly a welcome event. Furthermore, the water mitigates the stinging nature and balances it out. The medical qualities remain, however, even if they are diminished.

Drink Dareringer while playing cards with dapperly dressed bank robbers on the run. Keep the 1930’s Model A Ford running in the alleyway out back for effect.

Food Pairing

Serve an olive oil and coarse sea salt coated mackerel grilled over charcoals. The sweetness of Dareringer complements the savory aspects of this dish perfectly. Plus, the inherent Iberian suggestion pays homage to the notable sherry aspect of the whiskey.

Facial Hair Rating

Rabbit Hole Dareringer bourbon receives the Zorro Facial Hair Rating. Sinister in an innocent, almost sweet like manner, the Zorro suavely moves past any initial protestations. A gunslinger romanticism that bursts on to the scene with questionable motives only to steal away in the night leaving one always looking to the setting sun for signs of a return. Wherefore art thou, Romeo?

Overall

To conclude the Rabbit Hole Dareringer Bourbon review – medicinal tinge. Despite some nice things and some shaky things, Dareringer maintains a medical quality throughout – perhaps a result of the founder’s original line of work. While this doesn’t tip the scale one way or the other, it certainly bears mentioning. On the shaky front, the stubbornness of the nose and frankly the palate in total. On the nice side, the nose once it finally does open up and the finish – which actually borders on fine. As for the unquestionably fine part, the butterscotch that lingers within and can be coaxed out to prominence. For those able to pull it out of the whiskey, a nice reward waits on the other end. While Dareringer may not be a completely mind bending experience, just give it some time and don’t be quick to judge. It may be worth a trip down the hole after all.

Overall: B