Dark Arts The Empyrean 2 Bourbon Red & White Port Wine Cask Finish

Dark Arts The Empyrean II Bourbon Red & White Port Wine Cask Finish

Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Aged 7.5 Years | 55.75% ABV (111.5 Proof) | 750mL | Red & White Port Wine Cask Finished | 60% Corn, 36% Rye & 4% Malted Barley

Process & Profile

Dark Arts The Empyrean II Bourbon Red & White Port Wine Cask Finish is a limited straight bourbon whiskey from Dark Arts Whiskey House, built around the contrast between two separate port wine cask finishes. This release uses bourbon finished in both red port and white port casks, with each component matured along its own path before being blended together for balance, depth, and layered fruit character.

The bourbon itself is originally distilled in Indiana from a high-rye mash bill of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley, then finished in red and white port wine casks before being blended and bottled in Kentucky. The red port cask influence adds darker fruit, richness, and depth, while the white port cask side brings brighter fruit, floral lift, and a more elegant sweetness. Together, they create a cask-finished bourbon that moves between dark, rich, and vibrant notes without feeling one-dimensional.

Aged 7.5 years and bottled at 111.5 proof, The Empyrean II offers enough strength for serious bourbon drinkers while letting the port finish remain expressive. Expect layers of red fruit, dark berries, caramel, baking spice, vanilla, toasted oak, floral sweetness, and a lingering wine-cask finish. For customers looking for a unique port-finished bourbon, a high-rye cask strength bourbon, or a limited Dark Arts Whiskey House release, The Empyrean II is a distinctive bottle with strong collector and sipping appeal.

Tasting Notes

• Red berries, dark fruit, and lifted floral notes
• Caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak
• Baking spice, rye spice, and warm barrel depth
• Rich red port sweetness with brighter white port fruit
• Dark cherry, plum, and soft confectionary sweetness
• Long finish with port wine richness, oak spice, and lingering fruit

What Makes It Special

• Limited release from Dark Arts Whiskey House
• Straight bourbon whiskey finished in both red and white port wine casks
• Aged 7.5 years and bottled at 111.5 proof
• High-rye bourbon mash bill of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley
• Originally distilled in Indiana, then finished, blended, and bottled in Kentucky
• Red port casks add darker fruit, richness, and depth
• White port casks add brightness, floral lift, and elegant fruit character
• Strong choice for fans of cask-finished bourbon, port-finished whiskey, and limited Dark Arts releases

How to Enjoy

Dark Arts The Empyrean II Bourbon Red & White Port Wine Cask Finish is best enjoyed neat in a whiskey tasting glass so the red port, white port, oak, spice, and fruit notes can open gradually. Let it rest for several minutes before sipping to allow the dark fruit, caramel, vanilla, floral notes, and wine-cask sweetness to develop.

A few drops of water can soften the 111.5 proof structure and bring forward more berry fruit, vanilla, and port sweetness. A large ice cube can also work for a slower pour, but this bottle is best treated as a sipping bourbon rather than a cocktail base. It pairs well with dark chocolate, berry desserts, aged cheese, roasted nuts, grilled meats, and after-dinner pours.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does Dark Arts The Empyrean II Bourbon Red & White Port Wine Cask Finish taste like?
   Dark Arts The Empyrean II tastes rich and layered, with red berries, dark fruit, floral notes, caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, baking spice, rye spice, plum, dark cherry, and lingering port wine sweetness.
2. What proof is Dark Arts The Empyrean II Bourbon Red & White Port Wine Cask Finish?
   Dark Arts The Empyrean II is bottled at 111.5 proof, which equals 55.75% ABV.
3. What casks are used for Dark Arts The Empyrean II Bourbon Red & White Port Wine Cask Finish?
   Dark Arts The Empyrean II is finished in both red port and white port wine casks, with each component matured separately before blending.
4. What is the mash bill of Dark Arts The Empyrean II Bourbon Red & White Port Wine Cask Finish?
   Dark Arts The Empyrean II uses a mash bill of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley.
5. Where can I buy Dark Arts The Empyrean II Bourbon Red & White Port Wine Cask Finish?
   You can buy Dark Arts The Empyrean II Bourbon Red & White Port Wine Cask Finish directly from The Barrel Tap, a trusted online source for cask-finished bourbon, limited whiskey releases, and collectible spirits.