Watershed Bourbon Finished in Nocino Barrels, 6 Years Old

Watershed Bourbon Finished in Nocino Barrels, 6 Years Old

A distinctive six-year-old Ohio bourbon from Watershed Distillery’s Fall Finishing Series, finished in barrels previously used to mature the distillery’s own Nocino, an Italian-inspired black walnut liqueur.

Produced in Columbus, Ohio, Watershed’s Nocino is made from locally harvested unripe black walnuts, sugar, and spices. The liqueur is aged in used bourbon barrels, which are subsequently repurposed to finish mature bourbon.

The interesting part is the cask history: The barrels initially mature bourbon, are then used for Nocino, and finally receive bourbon again for finishing. This unusual sequence introduces additional layers of walnut, spice, and bittersweet complexity to the whiskey.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Baking spices, caramel syrup, powdered sugar, and hints of walnuts.

Palate: Toasted wood sugars, candied nuts, vanilla, and rich caramel sweetness.

Finish: Lingering caramel, black pepper, sweet spice, and a pleasantly nutty character.

Technical Details

• Distillery: Watershed Distillery
• Location: Columbus, Ohio
• Classification: Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Nocino Barrels
• Age: 6 Years Old
• Finishing Cask: Ex-Nocino black walnut liqueur barrels
• Series: Fall Finishing Series

What Makes It Interesting

Nocino cask finishing is relatively uncommon in American whiskey. Unlike conventional wine finishes, these barrels have held a walnut-based liqueur made with green black walnuts and spices.

The interaction between mature bourbon and the Nocino-seasoned oak creates an intriguing combination of traditional bourbon sweetness, roasted nuts, herbal complexity, and warming spice.

An interesting exploration of secondary maturation, particularly for bourbon enthusiasts curious about how unconventional finishing casks influence the finished whiskey.