Dark Arts Whiskey House Empyrean Bourbon Whiskey Review.
Dark Arts Whiskey House Empyrean Bourbon Whiskey Review.
Dark Arts Whiskey House continues to be one of the more intriguing brands I’ve been diving into throughout 2025, especially as availability remains limited here in Indiana. Empyrean immediately stood out, not just for the striking apothecary-style bottle and label design, but for its ambitious concept: a bourbon finished separately in both red and white port casks before being blended back together. That approach alone suggested a level of intention and control that had me genuinely excited to see how it translated in the glass.
Empyrean starts with an Indiana-distilled high-rye bourbon sourced from MGP. Dark Arts takes a slightly different approach when it comes to finishing. They split the bourbon into two finishing paths: one portion finished in red port casks, the other in white port casks. Instead of transferring the whiskey sequentially between barrels, Dark Arts blends the two finished components together, allowing them to dial in a very specific flavor profile.
Age Statement: 7 1/2 years.
ABV: 55.68%.
Mash bill: 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley
Area of Distillation: Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
Appearance: Burnt orange hue.
On the nose:
On the nose:
The aroma opens with depth and intensity. Dark, char-forward oak leads the way, followed closely by unmistakable port influence. Notes of fig, plum, dark grape, and a lighter white grape sweetness create a push-and-pull between dark and bright fruit. The high-rye mash bill introduces a sweet pipe tobacco character alongside cinnamon, clove, and baking spice. Classic bourbon notes of vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, and toasted oak sit underneath, with a familiar MGP orange and candied citrus presence rounding things out. There’s noticeable ABV warmth, but it’s integrated rather than aggressive.
Taste:
The palate delivers a rich, almost viscous mouthfeel that coats thoroughly. Dark fruits explode upfront with fig, plum, and grape layered over heavy oak, caramel, and vanilla. The rye spice contributes an earthy, slightly herbal sweetness reminiscent of sweet tobacco and mild medicinal notes. Orange zest and subtle pepper emerge mid-palate, while wood sugars and caramelized sweetness carry through. The port influence remains expressive without overwhelming the bourbon’s core identity.
Finish:
The finish is long, oily, and remarkably balanced. Dark fruits linger alongside toasted oak and soft baking spice, eventually giving way to a brighter note of pear and white grape from the white port cask. This lighter, crisp element lifts the tail end of the sip and refreshes the palate, setting it up perfectly for the next pour. Importantly, there’s no bitterness here, something port finishes can sometimes struggle with, and the blend seems to manage that beautifully.
Final Thoughts:
Empyrean showcases how thoughtfully executed finishing can elevate a bourbon without masking its foundation. The decision to blend separate red and white port finishes works exceptionally well, creating both depth and contrast across the sip. At around $90, the value makes sense given the age, proof, and complexity, though pushing closer to $100 would warrant a bit more hesitation. Still, this stands among the stronger port-finished bourbons I’ve had and easily earns a place in future blind tastings.
Rating: B+ (Great).
Cost: $89.99 for 750ml.
Social platforms to follow me: https://linktr.ee/thelastcallyt
Comments
Post a Comment