When I saw that New Holland Brewing had released another Dragon’s Milk bourbon expression, I was immediately interested. Dragon’s Milk stout has been one of those beers that has always stood out to me. It was one of the first craft stouts I really enjoyed, and over the years I’ve watched New Holland continue to experiment and expand that lineup in some really creative ways.
What makes this release especially interesting is that it takes something already unique, a bourbon finished in Dragon’s Milk stout barrels, and adds another layer by moving it into a freshly toasted barrel afterward. Beer barrel finished whiskey is still a smaller category compared to the explosion of wine, sherry, and other secondary finishes we see today. Seeing a craft producer lean into stout barrels, especially their own stout barrels, is something I always enjoy because it creates a direct connection between their brewing and distilling sides.
The question going into this bottle was simple: does the toasted barrel enhance the Dragon’s Milk character, or does it get lost underneath that big stout influence?
Age Statement: N/A.
ABV: 45%.
Mash bill: 70% corn, 25% malted barley, 5% rye.
Area of Distillation: New Holland, Michigan.
Finishing: Dragon’s Milk stout barrels & freshly toasted oak barrels.
Appearance: Golden amber.
On the nose:
The nose immediately lets you know this is not your typical bourbon. The Dragon’s Milk stout influence is front and center right away, bringing forward a rich malt character that reminds me of walking into a brewery and catching that first wave of roasted grains and dark beer sweetness. There is a deep chocolate note here, almost like shaved dark chocolate, layered with a beautiful toasted element from the second barrel finish.
As it opens up, those sweeter oak notes start to develop. There is a wonderful brown sugar and brûléed sugar quality that gives this almost a dessert-like character without ever becoming artificial. Vanilla, light char, and a touch of homemade marshmallow that has been lightly toasted over a flame all come together really well. The small amount of rye in the mash bill adds just enough spice to keep everything balanced.
What impressed me most about the nose is how cohesive everything feels. The stout barrel and toasted cask are not fighting for attention. Instead, they work together to create a very inviting profile. At 45% ABV, this is incredibly approachable with no harsh alcohol notes, and honestly, it makes me curious what this would be like at a higher proof.
Taste:
The palate follows exactly where the nose leads. The malt character continues to shine, bringing forward rich chocolate and almost a nougat-like sweetness. There is a really enjoyable combination here of roasted grain, bourbon sweetness, and toasted oak that creates a profile that feels like it is getting dangerously close to a s’more in a glass without ever crossing into flavored whiskey territory.
The toasted cask influence really shows itself on the sip. There is a beautiful layer of caramelized sugar, toasted marshmallow, vanilla, and light oak char that builds underneath the chocolate notes. The rye spice makes another appearance here as well, adding a subtle herbal pepperiness that keeps the sweetness from becoming too heavy.
The mouthfeel is one of the strongest parts of this whiskey. The malt character coats the palate and gives this a richness that feels bigger than the 45% ABV would suggest. It is complex enough that you can sit down and pick apart the different flavors, but it is also approachable enough that someone could simply pour a glass and enjoy it without overthinking.
Finish:
The finish continues that same theme of balance. The chocolate and roasted malt notes linger nicely while the toasted oak brings forward honey, vanilla, and a gentle spice that slowly fades away. There is a comforting quality to this finish that reminds me of enjoying a great stout after a long day. It has that same satisfying, relaxing feeling of sitting down, taking that first big sip, and letting the flavors settle in.
The Dragon’s Milk influence stays present all the way through, but the toasted barrel adds enough extra depth to elevate the experience. It is a very cohesive finish that leaves you wanting another sip.
Final Thoughts:
New Holland absolutely delivered something special with this release. The combination of Dragon’s Milk stout barrels and a toasted cask finish creates a whiskey that feels thoughtfully designed rather than simply finished for the sake of being different. The biggest thing I will point out is that you have to enjoy malt-forward whiskey and stout flavors. If you are someone who prefers traditional bourbon profiles, this might not be your bottle.
But if you enjoy craft beer, stout finishes, chocolate-forward whiskey, or unique bourbon experiments, this is a fantastic release. The fact that this bottle comes from a craft producer that is distilling, aging, and finishing their own whiskey while still keeping the price around the mid-$30 range makes it even more impressive.
For around $35, this is one of those bottles that punches well above its price point.
A huge win from New Holland.
Rating: -A (Amazing).
Cost: $34.99 for 750ml.
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