Ampersand Optimus 15 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Tokaji Casks
$86.96
Ampersand Opimus 15 Year is a bold hybrid: a classic Kentucky bourbon matured for over a decade, then finished in Tokaji wine casks to inject bright, dessert-wine warmth and fruit complexity. It strives to balance robust oak and bourbon character with elevated sweetness, dried fruit, and spice. It’s a statement whiskey intended for sipping and connoisseurs who enjoy cask-finished nuance.
Origins & Craftsmanship
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Released by Ampersand / Foley Family Wines & Spirits, with Master Distiller Chip Tate overseeing the program.
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It is a 15-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon, finished for 9 months in Tokaji wine casks (Hungary) after primary maturation.
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Mash bill: 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley.Â
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Bottled at 58.4% ABV (117 proof) — cask strength.Â
Tasting Profile
| Element | Notes & Highlights |
|---|---|
| Color / Appearance | Deep amber / mahogany, reflecting long aging and wine cask influence. |
| Nose / Aroma | Classic bourbon notes of caramel, oak, vanilla, with added layers of stone fruit (apricots, peaches), honeycomb, dried nectarine, and winey raisin sultanas. |
| Palate / Taste | Rich and full: caramel, toasted oak, dark fruit (plum, fig), dried apricot, spiced honey, and a thread of baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg). The Tokaji influence contributes wine-acid lift, warm fruit sweetness, and depth. |
| Finish | Long, warming finish with oak, dried fruit echoes, spice, and a wine-shared sweetness lingering. |
In the 2025 North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition, Ampersand’s Opimus 15 was awarded a Double Gold medal, confirming its high standing among judged whiskies.Â
Food & Pairings
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Serve / Format: Neat or with a few drops of water to open the fruit tones. Use a tulip or Glencairn glass to capture complex aromas.
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Pairings:
 • Dried fruit desserts (apricot tart, fig cake)
 • Nut / honey desserts (almond tart, baklava)
 • Aged cheeses (Comté, Manchego)
 • Rich meats with fruit glazes or reductions (duck with plum, pork with apricot sauce)
 • Dark chocolate or chocolate with fruit inclusions
Quick Overview
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Ampersand Opimus 15 Year Bourbon (Tokaji finish) |
| Type / Style | Kentucky Straight Bourbon, cask strength, wine cask finished |
| Age | 15 years in bourbon barrels + 9 months in Tokaji casks |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn / 13% rye / 12% malted barley |
| Proof / ABV | 117 proof / 58.4% ABV |
| Character | Bourbon core (oak, caramel, vanilla) + wine cask overlay (stone fruit, honey, wine acid) |
| Best Use | Sipping, collector’s bottle, tasting whisky with depth |
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