Whiskey Review: Phifer Pavitt Late Night Bourbon Whiskey

When we were just starting out as podcasters back in 2019, we reviewed Phifer Pavitt Reserve—a collaboration between Bardstown Bourbon Company and Napa Valley’s Phifer Pavitt Winery. That pour quickly became one of our all-time favorites and introduced us to the world of finished bourbons. It was rich, nuanced, and memorable enough that we still talk about it years later.

Now, the folks behind Bardstown’s early innovations have formed Whiskey House of Kentucky, and one of their debut releases revisits the magic: Phifer Pavitt Late Night Bourbon Whiskey. Aged 11 years and finished in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon barrels for 13 months (with lees left in for added complexity), this expression clocks in at 107 proof and brings a depth of character that had us both eager to revisit the brand.

Let’s dive into the review.

Nose

Brad:
I already sampled this and think it has a wonderful nose. There’s oak and brown sugar. It gives me a bit of a crumbly fig newton vibe. The thing that really stood out was like a cherries jubilee—fresh cherry, a little spiciness, a little creaminess. It’s really nice. Not overwhelming. Not wildly complex, but a really nice nose.
Score: 8.5/10

Bob:
Yeah, I’m in the same spot. It’s really dark, but not grape heavy. It reminds me of a cocktail cherry on top of vanilla ice cream—super rich and decadent, really creamy.
Score: 8.5/10

Taste

Brad:
Bob, I’m so excited about this whiskey. The cherry sticks around, though it loses a bit of the creaminess. It dives into this really rich, warm cinnamon with dark chocolate. It gets into some tobacco ranges. This is a relatively complex whiskey.
Score: 9.5/10

Bob:
I’m partial to the OG Phifer Pavitt Reserve. This one tips a little—maybe not quite bitter—but the wine character takes over on the palate. It’s tannic, not medicinal, but I do wish it had just a bit more sweetness. Still darn good.
Score: 7.5/10

Finish

Bob:
Really long lasting. This is where it gets grape heavy for me. It basically turns into a dry red wine. That’s fine; every now and then I really like that. I just wish there was more grain or whiskey character. The wine takes over.
Score: 8/10

Brad:
I don’t even have grape listed. For me, it’s more about the heat from cinnamon—very oaky on the back end in a mellow kind of way. There’s black pepper, tobacco, cherry, figs. It feels almost like a Christmas wine—heavy spirit. Still whiskey, but complex.
Score: 9.5/10

Balance

Brad:
This is a 10 out of 10 on balance. It has really solid complexity with maximum flavor. I think it’s fantastically in its own complex area.

Bob:
I have to imagine this is being released in late fall or winter on purpose. It would pair well with figgy pudding or some plum-based British Christmas dessert. It’s really good and has those wintry notes. Reminds me of why we talk about Midwinter Night’s Dram every year.
Score: 8.5/10

Value

Bob:
The original Phifer Pavitt Reserve retailed around $120–129 back then. This one is $195, but it has an 11-year age statement. I don’t actually think that’s a bad value. It’s a luxury—or luxury-adjacent—bourbon. A damn good Christmas gift.
Score: 7.5/10

Brad:
I think this is a really solid value. If you’re looking for something special, fun, unique, and interesting—for yourself, friends, or as a gift—this is a great pick.
Score: 8/10

Final Scores

Brad: 45.5/50
Bob: 40/50
Average: 42.75/50

This is rarefied air for us—very few whiskeys in Film & Whiskey history have broken into the 40s, and 45+ is where we start looking at potential Whiskey of the Year contenders.

With its deep age, thoughtful finish, and seasonally perfect flavor profile, Phifer Pavitt Late Night earns an enthusiastic recommendation from both of us. If you’re considering a splurge or looking for a top-shelf holiday bottle, this one’s a no-brainer.

As always, we recommend that anything scoring 35/50 or higher is worth trying at a bar. Once you're past the 40 mark, we say buy a bottle if you can. This one hits that mark with confidence.