I love George Dickel whisky and I love Tabasco – I put it on everything – but the question at hand is do they work together? George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish, a.k.a. Hot Dickel, is a blend of distilled Tabasco and aged George Dickel that was finished in Tabasco barrels for 30-days and then bottled at 70 proof (35% ABV). It’s not considered a liqueur because there is no sugar added.
The no sugar added part was interesting to me because, as you’ll see in the review below, it’s quite sweet. Also as you’ll note there isn’t a score below, because this isn’t actually a whisk(e)y and I don’t put scores on flavored spirits. One last fun fact before we dig in, if you didn’t know it already Tabasco is created using ex-Bourbon casks so in a way it’s all coming full circle (yes I know Dickel isn’t technically a bourbon).
George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish Review: Details and Tasting Notes
In George Dickel’s Words: George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish
“For over a century, the legacy of two Southern brands, George Dickel and McIlhenny Company’s TABASCO® Brand Pepper Sauce, have left their mark on the world and their distinct tastes in the memories of people everywhere. These two iconic brands have come together in one bottle to create George Dickel Tabasco Brand Barrel Finish, or Hot Dickel for short.”
George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish price, ABV, age and other details
Region: Tennessee, USA
Distiller: George Dickel
Mash Bill: 80% Corn, 14% Rye, 6% Malted Barley + Pepper Mash
Cask: New Charred Oak, ex-Tabasco
Age: NAS
ABV: 35%
Price: $23*
George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish Tasting Notes
EYE
Caramel
NOSE
Dickel corn and vanilla come first followed by Tabasco spice, vinegar and some sugary sweetness.
PALATE
Weirdly sweet with lots of the Dickel corn and vanilla and the Tabasco is quite pronounced.
FINISH
Med -> Dickel corn, vanilla, Tabasco spice and sugary sweetness.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Not very balanced, medium body and a thick feel.
George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish Review: OVERALL
George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish is not bad as a mixer or cocktail ingredient, but not something I’d regularly drink neat on its own. It’s a unique and interesting beverage and I think it would do well as a substitute for Ancho Chile Liqueur in cocktails that use it. A bit of sweetness, a bit of spice and a bit of that corn-heavy Dickel essence.
SCORE: NA
*Disclosure: This George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish Review
George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish Review Summary
George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish is great as a mixer or cocktail ingredient.
Overall
- Nose - 50
- Palate - 50
- Finish - 50
- Balance, Body & Feel - 50
User Review
( votes)( reviews)
I got zero heat from this. It takes like someone spilled vinegar in a sweet whiskey. Then again, I can eat habaneros without much problems.
Husband brought some home a few weeks ago. As a sipper, not great but it’s interesting.
I asked him to make me an old fashioned w chocolate bitters (we call it a tootsie roll) with this Dickel. OMG, it’s delicious – like a Mexican hot chocolate sort of vibe.
For those wondering the “Tabasco” part is just the heat. It doesn’t taste like vinegar at all. I’m not even a Tabasco fan because it’s so vinegary. It’s just spicy.
A spicy tootsie roll, that does sound good. Thanks for sharing Cherly, cheers!
I’m not really a shot kind of guy but shooting Dickel Tabasco is awesome! Love that sweet Dickel entry and spicey finish. Much better than any cinnamon flavored spirit I’ve tried as there is no sugary sweet ickiness, although I do wish Dickel would bump up the proof. Not usually attracted to flavored whiskey but I’ll make an exception for this. Thanks for taking a detour from your typical straight whiskey review and telling us about this interesting spirit Josh. When I inqired at my local liquor store the guy said he had a whole case and I was the first to request it. That made me feel special!
Ha, awesome, love it. Cheers Kraig!
You are drinking it wrong.
I love whiskey, it’s my favorite beverage because it has history. George Dickel has provided the people who love whiskey another way to enjoy that whiskey flavor, in cocktails. I know you whiskey snobs are turning your noses right now, but why? Why are you letting vodka have all the market share in your pursuit for purism and you know you do it. I love having a Bloody Mary at brunch, why not do it proper with an American spirit that fits that cocktail perfectly. If you don’t believe me, take that George Dickel Tobasco whiskey that you think is just bla and put it where it belongs in a glass with ice, Bloody Mary mix and a garnish and see what you have been missing with vodka.
Yup, George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finish is not bad as a mixer or cocktail ingredient, but not something I’d regularly drink neat on its own. It’s a unique and interesting beverage and I think it would do well as a substitute for Ancho Chile Liqueur in cocktails that use it. A bit of sweetness, a bit of spice and a bit of that corn-heavy Dickel essence. Cheers Zach.
Li had Dickel Tabasco at the Tennessee whiskey Festival in Chattanooga this past weekend. They were pouring, my glass was empty…it made sense. Surprisingly, I liked it. I hate Tabasco sauce, the vinegar base really doesn’t appeal to me. The sweetness really stands out, but has a nice kick in the finish. I’m going to buy a bottle for the cabinet. Worth a try.
Nice, cheers Ben!
When I first saw the word Tobasco on the label, I was stunned. Plus, I had no idea Tobasco was made from bourbon barrels. I learned something new today.
Glad to help ;) Cheers Kelly!
No way
I already had a bad experience with GD smelling and tasting like rubbing alcohol. I know it was probably an isolated case, but no.
Thanks for the review! I’ve been wondering if I should pick up a bottle but I think I’ll pass. I love #12, 8, and Select but I think this is a bit outside my taste range.
Yeah, unless you’re going to make cocktails with it (Blood Mary’s anyone?) I’d pass too. Cheers!
I wondered if you were going to review Master Keep Revival ( I found a bottle and love it) , Russel’s 2002 ( not going to be available in CT where I am), Stoller and Wolfe , or Wilderness Trail ( emailed then and not planning on selling here yet) ? Sorry, if this is the wrong place to ask!
Hey Jon,
There is no wrong place to ask and yes, next week I have reviews of the Revival, Russell’s 2002, Decades and the new Knob Creek Cask Strength lined up. Stoller and Wolfe and Wilderness trail I don’t have access to at the moment.
Cheers!
Thanks Josh! Looking forward to the reviews!
Sorry Josh, but this is something I will never try. Like you I like both the products, but together, no thank you. Thanks for really giving us something to think about though. Seriously, I always look forward to your great reviews!
Cheers JohnT, thanks. If you’re not into making cocktails, I totally get passing on it.
Okay, I never thought of making a Bloody Mary with bourbon, but with this one it might be really tasty! Great idea!
If you do it, let us know how it is. Cheers!
This makes the best Bloody Mary EVER! I don’t care for it neat like other whiskies or bourbon s but I made a Bloody out of it and there you are. I have two bottles and I’m buying more if I can.