Shortbarrel Summer Solstice

About the Product: Shortbarrel Summer Solstice is the latest release in our Curator Series a collection dedicated to exploring uncommon cask finishes and showcasing how the right barrel can transform great bourbon into something entirely new.

Crafted from a blend of bourbons aged six years and older, this 100-proof release spent an additional nine months finishing in genuine Orange Wine casks in Atlanta, creating a whiskey that is bright, vibrant, and remarkably refreshing without sacrificing bourbon's rich character.

Unlike VDN (Vin Doux Naturel) wines, which are fortified with grape spirit and often lean noticeably sweeter, Orange Wine is produced by fermenting white grapes on their skins, creating a naturally textured wine with layers of citrus, dried fruit, tea-like tannins, and floral complexity. Those characteristics translate beautifully into bourbon, adding brightness, structure, and depth without masking the whiskey itself. The result is a finish that is vibrant, balanced, and unmistakably seasonal equally at home enjoyed neat, over a large cube, or as the foundation for an unforgettable Old Fashioned.

Seelbach's Notes: The nose opens with candied orange peel and honey-glazed ham, giving both sweetness and a slight savory touch alongside cinnamon, fresh apricot, and orange marmalade.

The palate is damp yet clinging, buttery and coating, giving way to fresh brioche with fig jam and honey, but not without a wave of vanilla bean and seasoned oak.

The finish returns to the orange marmalade note, fresh yet slightly bitter, while white pepper and more of that sweet and savory glazed note come back out alongside a touch of leather and gentle wine tannins.

Tasting Notes: The nose opens with candied orange peel, honeysuckle, apricot, and vanilla bean before giving way to flavors of fresh citrus, ripe stone fruit, wild honey, toasted oak, and baking spice. The finish is long and elegant, revealing notes of orange marmalade, white pepper, and a delicate tannic grip that lingers long after the last sip.