Pinhook Bourbon Review: Everything You Need to Know
Pinhook takes a unique approach to whiskey making, and the bourbons and ryes that are produced by this brand all embrace a different vintage, year after year. With this approach to whiskey, Pinhook bourbon varietals can all be expected to have slightly different tastes and proofs, though the high quality and expert blending of each bourbon is consistent across the brand.
When reviewing Pinhook bourbon, it’s important to keep in mind the many different varieties of bourbon available, as a new vintage is released every year, similar to how wine vintages are released. Our article gives you a look into Pinhook bourbon, including how it is created, the different choices of bourbon available, and other important details about this brand’s collection.
A Quick Look at Pinhook Bourbon
Below, we give you a quick look at Pinhook bourbon, including its overall rating and tasting notes. These must-know facts introduce you to the brand of Pinhook bourbon.
| Overall Rating | 4 stars |
| Flavor | 4 stars |
| Value | 5 stars |
| Tasting Notes | Sweetness, vanilla, fruits, and spice |
| Classification | Bourbon |
| Distillery | Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, KY |
| Proof | Between 90 and 120 proof |
| Aged | Aged |
| MSPR | Between $50 and $100 |
Pros and Cons of Pinhook Bourbon
As with many brands of bourbon, Pinhook’s options have both pros and cons. This table gives you a quick look at this brand’s positives and potential negatives.
| PROS | CONS |
| Unique whiskey-making approach | Some varieties are difficult to find |
| Distinctive and easily readable packaging | Flavors for some bottles are hit or miss |
| Each bourbon variety has a distinctive flavor |
What Is Pinhook Bourbon?
Pinhook bourbon is one of the newer bourbon brands on the market, and this brand features a unique approach to whiskey creation. Pinhook was created in 2010, and the company’s name alludes to the act of “pinhooking,” which is the selection of young horses that will eventually be trained to become racehorses.
The brand honors this tradition with the pictures of horses on each of their bottles and by taking an approach to whiskey that creates new varietals each year, crafting slightly new blends and releasing them when the time is appropriate.
Pinhook bourbon is generally considered a new take on bourbon, which is a very classic liquor, and many individuals love to partake in this twist on bourbon varieties. Similar to winemaking, the brand crafts new blends with unique proofs and flavor profiles, releasing them into one of its main bourbon categories after the aging process is complete.
Pinhook bourbon, like most true bourbons, is made from a mash bill that contains a majority of corn, and the blends feature different proportions of other ingredients such as malted barley and rye. You can enjoy your Pinhook bourbon neat, over ice, or blended up into your favorite cocktail recipe to truly taste the range of flavors promised by the Pinhook bourbon varieties.
Is Pinhook Real Bourbon?
A true bourbon is created from a mash bill that consists of at least 51% corn. All of Pinhook’s bourbons meet the standards for being a true bourbon, and the mash bills of each varietal feature a majority corn base with other ingredients such as rye and malted barley mixed in.
Pinhook Bourbon High Proof Bourbon
Pinhook’s High Proof Bourbon is released approximately every year, with the most recent 2023 blend featuring a four-year aging period. This bourbon carries a flavor profile that showcases molasses, roasted peanuts, and caramels, with hints of baked apricots, vanilla, and burnt sugar for a warm and toasty finish.
Pinhook Bourbon Vintage Library Series
The Pinhook Vintage Library Series features seven different types of bourbon whiskey with differing blends and flavor profiles. All of the bourbons in the Library Series are rich and well-balanced, and you may detect varying amounts of sweetness, toastiness, spice, and fruit depending on the blend you select.
Pinhook Bourbon Vintage Library Series Number 1, Bourbon Courage
Pinhook Bourbon Vintage Library Series Number 1, Bourbon Courage‘s flavor notes include copper notes with a warm honey finish. Overall, its flavor is elegant and bold.
Pinhook Bourbon Vintage Library Series Number 2, Bourbonize
Pinhook Bourbon Vintage Library Series Number 2, Bourbonize‘s notable flavor notes are crème brûlée, toffee, macadamia, maple, and hints of spice.
Pinhook Bourbon Vintage Library Series Number 3, Hashtag Bourbon
Pinhook Bourbon Vintage Library Series Number 3, Hashtag Bourbon‘s flavor profile includes vanilla, crème, toffee, macadamia nuts, maple, and subtle spice.
Pinhook Bourbon Vintage Library Series Number 4, Bent on Bourbon
Pinhook Bourbon Vintage Library Series Number 4, Bent on Bourbon‘s flavor profile includes vanilla bean, roasted coffee beans, brown sugar, caramel, walnut, and spice.
Pinhook Bourbon Vintage Library Series Number 5, Urban Bourbon
Pinhook Bourbon Vintage Library Series Number 5, Urban Bouron‘s flavor notes to look out for are vanilla bean, caramel, walnut, and maple.
Pinhook Bourbon Vintage Library Series Number 6, Bourbon Empire
Pinhook Bourbon Vintage Library Series Number 6, Bourbon Empire‘s flavor profile includes warm roasted coffee, maple, caramel, and walnut.
Pinhook Bourbon Vintage Library Series Number 7, Bourbon Resolution
Pinhook Bourbon Vintage Library Series Number 7, Bourbon Resolution‘s notable flavors include warm honey, elegant coppery notes, and a complex finish.
Pinhook Bourbon Yearly Flagship
Every year, Pinhook releases a flagship blend for its new bourbon and rye whiskies. You can find varieties of the Yearly Flagship collection bourbons dating back to 2022, and the most recent release is a 2024 five-year-old Cask Strength Bourbon. This bourbon is high proof, coming in at a proof of 118.2, and it features flavor notes of vanilla, baked fruits, caramel, and a rich sweetness.
Pinhook Bourbon Yearly Flagship 2018
Pinhook Bourbon Yearly Flagship 2018‘s flavor profile includes ripe pear, baked apricot, toffee, vanilla, dates, cinnamon, and cedar.
Pinhook Bourbon Yearly Flagship 2020
Pinhook Bourbon Yearly Flagship 2020‘s notable flavors include orange peel, candied pecans, tropical fruit, cinnamon, and almond.
Pinhook Bourbon Yearly Flagship 2021
Pinhook Bourbon Yearly Flagship 2021‘s unique flavor profile includes orange blossom, nutmeg, toasted coconut, and sassafras.
Pinhook Bourbon Yearly Flagship 2022
Pinhook Bourbon Yearly Flagship 2022‘s flavor profile includes baked peaches, clove, honey, vanilla, and toasted almond.
Pinhook Bourbon Yearly Flagship 2023
Pinhook Bourbon Yearly Flagship 2023‘s notable flavor notes include butterscotch, graham cracker, roasted peanut, and dried apricot.
Pinhook Bourbon True Single Barrel Bourbon
Pinhook’s True Single Barrel Bourbon is a 2021 release that features a six-year-old aged bourbon. This release has a flavor profile that is heavy on sweetness, with notes of cinnamon, caramel, and cloves. There is a subtle presence of citrus and baking spices in the aftertaste of this bourbon.
Pinhook Bourbon True Single Barrel Bourbon 2018
Pinhook Bourbon True Single Barrel Bourbon 2018‘s flavor profile includes caramel, butterscotch, molasses, and baking spice.
Pinhook Bourbon True Single Barrel Bourbon 2020
Pinhook Bourbon True Single Barrel Bourbon 202o‘s notable flavors include vanilla, buttercream, honey, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Pinhook Bourbon True Single Barrel Bourbon 2021
Pinhook Bourbon True Single Barrel Bourbon 2021‘s flavor profile includes nutmeg, roasted coffee, butterscotch, toasted coconut, and almond.
Pinhook Bourbon Vertical Series Bourbon
Pinhook Vertical Series Bourbons are aged between four and 12 years, with the majority being released around eight to nine years after the aging process begins. The most recent Vertical Series release is a 2023 bourbon featuring flavor notes of orange, sherry, brown sugar, dark cherries, cinnamon, and plum.
Pinhook Bourbon Vertical Series Bourbon 2019
Pinhook Bourbon Vertical Series Bourbon 2019‘s notable flavors include tropical fruit, butterscotch, cedar, dried dig, roasted peanuts, and cocoa.
Pinhook Bourbon Vertical Series Bourbon 2020
Pinhook Bourbon’s Vertical Series Bourbon 202o‘s flavor notes include butterscotch, licorice, vanilla, cherry, chocolate, and chicory
Pinhook Bourbon Vertical Series Bourbon 2021
Pinhook Bourbon Vertical Series Bourbon 2021‘s flavor profile includes brown sugar, licorice, black cherries, Tahitian vanilla, and clove.
Pinhook Bourbon Vertical Series Bourbon 2022
Pinhook Bourbon Vertical Series Bourbon 2022‘s flavor profile includes baked raisin bread, brown butter, spiced ginger cookies, eucalyptus, and molasses.
Pinhook Bourbon Vertical Series Bourbon 2023
Pinhook Bourbon Vertical Series Bourbon 2023‘s flavor notes include orange curaçao, oloroso sherry, dark cherry, plum, and cinnamon.
What Does Pinhook Bourbon Taste Like?
The exact flavors of a Pinhook bourbon depend on the variety you are sampling. In general, Pinhook bourbon has a bold and hot taste, often complemented by notes of vanilla, spice, and fruits. You may detect toasted almonds and distinctive sweetness in some varieties, and some may be smokier than others.
All Pinhook bourbon is considered to have pleasing flavors that have several detectable flavor notes. To review the specific flavor notes of a Pinhook bourbon, check the year and tasting notes available on the bottle of bourbon or on the brand’s website.
What Is the Alcohol Content of Pinhook Bourbon
The alcoholic content of Pinhook bourbon varies based on the type of bourbon you are enjoying. In general, the proof for Pinhook bourbon is between 90 and 120, meaning that the ABV will be between 45% and 60%.
The labeling on each bottle will tell you the exact proof and ABV of that selection.
Is Pinhook Bourbon Good?
Pinhook bourbon is generally considered good value for a bourbon and a brand that brings a unique product to the bourbon marketplace. Some bourbon enthusiasts may not enjoy the newer approach this brand takes to bourbon, while others may consider the flavors for the yearly bourbon releases hit or miss, depending on the blend.
While Pinhook bourbon is not typically thought of as the most ground-breaking and market-changing new bourbon, it does have a lot to offer when it comes to being able to enjoy carefully blended vintages, taking advantage of each year’s unique varietal, and admiring the distinctive packaging.
Overall, it is a good value bourbon with a solid flavor profile in each variety the brand offers.
Is Pinhook the Best Bourbon?
While Pinhook bourbon is a popular newcomer to the bourbon marketplace, it is not generally considered to be the absolute best bourbon out there because it is not quite as time-tested and crowd-pleasing as some other brands. Pinhook bourbon does make a good gift and can be very enjoyable, but it is yet to become a staple amongst cocktail bars, restaurants, and home liquor cabinets.
Instead, this brand is more like a unique bourbon you try from time to time and can easily be a favorite of certain bourbon enthusiasts, while others may prefer more bold and robust bourbon brands.
How Is Pinhook Bourbon Packaged?
Pinhook has very distinctive packaging, and the brand puts careful consideration into how they bottle their bourbons. You can recognize Pinhook bourbon through its tall bottles, white labeling detailing the bourbon, and colorful wax seals.
The colors indicate the expression of whiskey in the bottle, while the geometric patterns and the horse pictures on the label indicate the release year and the barrel of the blend, respectively. This type of bottling system allows bourbon enthusiasts to easily select the bottle of bourbon they are interested in, in addition to simply reviewing details about the bourbon purchased.
How Should You Drink Pinhook Bourbon?
There are many ways to enjoy Pinhook bourbon, and you can drink this brand’s bourbon as you would any of your other favorite bourbons. To best enjoy the flavors of Pinhook bourbon, you can sip it neat or on the rocks. You may want to add a drop or two of water into your neat bourbon to open up the flavors more.
If you are more of a cocktail drinker, you can blend Pinhook bourbon into any of your favorite bourbon-based cocktails, such as the old-fashioned, whiskey sour, Boulevardier, and the Manhattan. Pinhook bourbon is best enjoyed at room temperature or over ice, and you can pair it with any food that generally complements a well-rounded bourbon whiskey.
How Much Does Pinhook Bourbon Cost?
There is a range of costs for Pinhook bourbon, as the brand produces several different varietals and proofs of bourbon. In general, you can expect to pay around $50 to $100 for a bottle, with the more expensive price being the cost of limited-edition or special vintages that the brand creates.
If you are in a bar or a restaurant, a serving of Pinhook bourbon will likely cost the same amount as a mid-range shot of bourbon or whiskey in your local area. Upscale cocktail bars may charge slightly more for drinks crafted with this brand’s bourbon.
Where Can You Buy Pinhook Bourbon?
Pinhook bourbon is available in local liquor stores, as well as online through sellers like Speakeasyco.com. You may also be able to find Pinhook bourbon in restaurants and bars, though this bourbon isn’t the most commonly carried brand in chain restaurants and bars. A whiskey or bourbon-centric bar in your area is the most likely carrier for Pinhook bourbon, though cocktail bars might also carry some varieties of this liquor.
Is Pinhook Bourbon a Good Gift?
Pinhook bourbon makes a very good gift because there are many different options available, and the approach that the Pinhook brand takes to crafting whiskey is fairly unique. Pinhook bourbon has several years’ worth of different bourbon vintages, and you can select one with flavors or a proof that best suits the person you are gifting; this makes Pinhook bourbon a very customizable gift.
Additionally, the bottles for Pinhook bourbon are quite distinctive, and these bottles can make a great addition to a collection once the bourbon has been totally enjoyed.
Pleasing Sips of Pinhook Bourbon
Pinhook bourbon is one of the more unique options for bourbon enthusiasts on the market today, and there are many different varieties of bourbon available since this brand’s inception in 2010. While some of these bottles are a little harder to obtain than others, every sip of Pinhook bourbon you take is sure to bring you distinctive flavors and enjoyable sips. Mix your favorite Pinhook bourbon into a cocktail or enjoy it neat to truly appreciate the flavors found in each bottle.
