{"product_id":"frank-august-bourbon-case-study-02","title":"Frank August Bourbon Case Study: 02","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrank August Bourbon Case Study: 02. Frank August, Bardstown, Kentucky — the second release in Frank August's experimental Case Study series, a Kentucky straight bourbon finished in XO Pedro Ximénez brandy casks — one of the most concentrated, sweetest finishing barrel types available — delivering layers of dark fruit, chocolate, dried fig, and caramel that the PX brandy's residual sugars and wood compounds contribute to the Kentucky bourbon base.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePedro Ximénez is an extremely sweet Spanish dessert wine — made from sun-dried PX grapes that concentrate their sugars to extraordinary levels before pressing and fermentation — historically used for finishing Scotch and Irish whisky, where its dark fruit, chocolate, and molasses-like richness creates a dramatically different flavor profile than standard sherry finishing. XO designates the oldest tier of PX brandy, meaning the barrels Frank August sourced for Case Study: 02 previously held the most mature, most concentrated expression of PX brandy available. The residual sugars, dried fruit, and chocolate compounds soaked into those staves transfer into the bourbon during the finishing period, adding a layer of complexity the Kentucky base cannot produce on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCase Study: 02 represents exactly what the series name suggests: a systematic investigation of what happens when a specific finishing barrel type encounters Frank August's Kentucky straight bourbon foundation. The answer, with XO PX brandy casks, is a dessert-forward, fruit-rich expression that pushes the bourbon's natural caramel and vanilla profile into darker, richer territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e The PX brandy cask influence is immediately evident — dark dried fruit, chocolate, and molasses-like sweetness layered over the Kentucky bourbon caramel and vanilla foundation. Rich and complex.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dried fig, dark cherry, and chocolate from the XO PX casks interact with the bourbon's native caramel and vanilla. The PX's concentrated fruit and sugar character creates a dessert-forward profile with genuine depth. Complex and layered in a way that straight bourbon aging cannot achieve.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and rich with dark fruit and chocolate persisting alongside oak spice and vanilla. The PX cask's contribution carries through to a warm, indulgent close.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eProducer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Frank August, Bardstown, Kentucky\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Case Study: 02\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinishing:\u003c\/strong\u003e XO Pedro Ximénez brandy casks\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, PX Brandy Finish\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eABV:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50% (100 Proof)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eBrowse our full selection of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/whiskey\"\u003ebourbon and whiskey at Wooden Cork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Frank August Case Study 02 taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark dried fruit, chocolate, and molasses-like sweetness on the nose alongside caramel and vanilla. Dried fig, dark cherry, and chocolate on the palate interacting with the bourbon base. Long, rich finish with dark fruit, chocolate, and oak spice.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat is Pedro Ximénez (PX)?\u003c\/strong\u003e An extremely sweet Spanish dessert wine made from sun-dried PX grapes — one of the sweetest wines in the world. XO PX brandy is the most mature, most concentrated expression. Barrels that previously held XO PX brandy transfer dark fruit, chocolate, fig, and molasses-like richness into any spirit finished in them — a dramatically different contribution than standard sherry or bourbon casks.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHow does Case Study 02 compare to Case Study 01 Mizunara?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are Kentucky straight bourbon finished in unconventional casks. Mizunara (01) delivers sandalwood, incense, and exotic Japanese oak spice — a more savory, aromatic direction. XO PX brandy (02) delivers dark fruit, chocolate, and concentrated sweetness — a richer, more dessert-forward direction. Different finishing families entirely.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What does Frank August Case Study 02 taste like?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Dark dried fruit, chocolate, and molasses-like sweetness on the nose. Dried fig, dark cherry, and chocolate on the palate. Long, rich finish with dark fruit, chocolate, and oak spice.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is Pedro Ximenez (PX)?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"An extremely sweet Spanish dessert wine from sun-dried PX grapes. XO PX brandy is the most mature expression. Barrels transfer dark fruit, chocolate, fig, and molasses-like richness into spirits finished in them.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How does Case Study 02 compare to Case Study 01 Mizunara?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Mizunara (01) delivers sandalwood, incense, and exotic oak spice — savory and aromatic. XO PX brandy (02) delivers dark fruit, chocolate, and concentrated sweetness — rich and dessert-forward. Different finishing families entirely.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Frank August","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42900728479815,"sku":"860007810619","price":159.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/0640\/2375\/files\/Screen_Shot_2023-10-11_at_9.50.44_AM-removebg-preview_b9bc3264-ae0e-4a52-a671-432afb6821f1.png?v=1782409046","url":"https:\/\/bourbonnest.com\/products\/frank-august-bourbon-case-study-02","provider":"Bourbon Nest","version":"1.0","type":"link"}