Onyx & Amber Returns 🔥

Onyx & Amber isn't exactly a new name anymore. This Denver-based whiskey company focuses on sourcing and finishing exceptional barrels that we think you’ll only start seeing more of. They specialize in high-aged, cask-strength bourbon—often from MGP—that’s matured further in Colorado’s high-altitude climate. Each release is hand-selected for depth, complexity, and character, and this one’s no exception.
 
One bottle I loved years ago was a low-proof, cask-strength single barrel from Smooth Ambler. I should’ve grabbed every bottle I could before the hype caught up to it. In today’s whiskey world, high-proof and hazmat releases reign supreme, but I’ve always loved a cask-strength release at a more approachable proof point.
 
While there’s no shortage of Indiana bourbons to try for Seelbach’s, there are always a few that stand out, and that’s been the case with every barrel we’ve tried from Onyx & Amber. We’ve yet to have one make it out of PRO, which may very well be the case again today. This barrel was aged 10 years in Canton Cooperage oak, bottled at 103 proof at cask strength, with a yield of right around 168 bottles.
 
An incredibly approachable yet delicious pour. Lightly perfumed vanilla, oak custard, and soft raspberry lead the nose.
 
The palate opens with oaky vanilla, soft tobacco, and leather, then brings in a touch of root beer float as it grows both creamy and slightly nipping. Sugary wood notes appear alongside small effervescent pops of cream soda and gentle orange tones.
 
The finish is softly balanced. Creamy vanilla is the through line as it lingers like a boozy Coke float with 1 dash of Angostura and 2 dashes of orange bitters.