Starlight Bourbon: Cherry Liqueur Finished
Overall Score: 6.5/10
Overall Value: 2.5/5
Distillery: Starlight Distillery
Classification: Bourbon Finished in Cherry Liqueur Barrels
Company: Starlight Distillery
Release Date: Fall 2024
Proof: 112.1
Age: 4 Years
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Hazelnut
MSRP: $78 (2024)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of the Starlight Bourbon (Cherry Liqueur Finished) is the standout feature, delivering rich notes of dark fruits, including maraschino cherry, fig, and brown sugar, with hints of oatmeal raisin cookies and toasted pie crust. These sweet and syrupy notes are enticing, though there’s a noticeable proof burn that can overpower the experience.
The mouthfeel is silky and buttery, providing a smooth texture that initially suggests promise. However, the flavor profile struggles to find its footing, with vague notes of sweetness, nutmeg, and a touch of fig. The anticipated cherry flavor from the liqueur finish is almost absent, replaced by a dry, cedar-like quality. A faint chemical note detracts further from the palate.
Unfortunately, the finish leans heavily on oak and char, with a mouth-drying effect that leaves little of the dark fruit or cherry promised by the nose. The youth of the bourbon becomes apparent, accompanied by a savory undertone that feels out of place.
The Starlight Bourbon - Cherry Liqueur Finished starts with an inviting nose but quickly loses its way. While the cherry liqueur finish adds intrigue, it fails to carry through the palate and finish. At an MSRP nearing $80, it’s challenging to justify the price for what feels like an underwhelming pour. This bottle may appeal to those curious about unique finishes, but it falls short of being a standout.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 7/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
The scent of rich dark fruits immediately hops out, and that’s one of my favorite profiles.
It has that fig, maraschino cherry, and brown sugar flavor and gives off a syrup profile, almost maple.
Makes me think of a well-baked pie.
THE TASTE:
It has a nice silky and buttery mouthfeel, but it certainly drinks hot. I struggled with the flavors a bit here.
It’s like a sweet oaky, fig, and nutmeg profile. However, there is a bit of a dry-erase marker alcohol note that really steals away from some of the good flavors that are trying to take root.
There is also a dryness that leads into the finish similar to pine/cedar.
THE FINISH:
This part is not so great, the pour really starts to dry the mouth.
It’s mostly char and oak and there is a weird savoriness that starts to develop as well.
BUY OR PASS?
From the nose the finish it’s just a gradual step further and further in the direction that I don’t prefer. None of the cherry or dark fruit flavor continued after the nose.
The Hunter Says
Score: 6/10
Value: 2/5
THE NOSE:
There’s a darker note that, as it opens, reminds me of an oatmeal raisin cookie.
The cherry finish comes through as tart and unsweetened—think tart cherry pie or cherry rhubarb pie with almost no sugar and just a toasted crust.
Oddly, for a 112.1-proof pour, I get a surprising amount of proof burn on the nose. The nose does evolve over time, which I always enjoy.
THE TASTE:
It feels sweet in the mouth, but the flavors are vague, and nothing specific really stands out.
The cherry from the finish doesn’t make much of an appearance on the palate.
It’s not harsh or unpleasant, but it’s just kind of... there.
THE FINISH:
The finish leans on heavy oak and dryness, with the youth of the 4-year bourbon becoming noticeable.
It’s not bad, but it’s nothing remarkable either.
BUY OR PASS?
Unfortunately, like my Templeton Midnight Rye review, this pour feels like a lesser product dressed up with a cherry liqueur finish to seem more unique.
While the finishing may have salvaged it to some extent, at nearly $80, it’s hard to justify the price. This one falls flat for me.
