Wonderbird Spirits Nr. 61 Cask Finished Gin

Wonderbird Spirits No. 61 Cask Finished Gin is a striking, limited-release expression that brings together the bright botanical precision of Wonderbird’s flagship gin with the richness and depth of bourbon barrel finishing. Rested in a Russell’s 10 Year bourbon cask for 281 days, this special release transforms the distillery’s contemporary rice-based gin into something smoother, rounder, and more layered, with added notes of vanilla, spice, caramel, and oak without losing its signature aromatic lift. Bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof) and released in highly limited quantities, it offers a luxurious bridge between the worlds of gin and whiskey, making it especially compelling for collectors and adventurous spirit drinkers.

Process & Profile

This cask-finished release begins with Wonderbird’s No. 61 Gin, the distillery’s flagship expression made from Mississippi Delta jasmine rice and a distinctive botanical recipe. For the cask-finished version, Wonderbird rests that gin in a Russell’s 10 Year bourbon barrel, allowing the spirit to pick up additional richness, spice, and barrel-driven softness while preserving the botanical core and creamy mouthfeel that define the original. Wonderbird describes the category as an exploration of how “time and vessel can subtly transform” its award-winning gin, creating a spirit that remains unmistakably Wonderbird while taking on a more composed, spirit-forward personality.

In the glass, No. 61 Cask Finished Gin leans richer and warmer than a classic clear gin, with bourbon overtones layered over the underlying citrus and spice of the base spirit. Retail tasting notes describe it as smooth, with flavors of caramel, clove, citrus, subtle spice, and vanilla, creating a profile that feels both polished and highly distinctive. The barrel influence adds texture and depth rather than overwhelming the gin, making it feel elegant, collected, and unusually versatile.

What makes this bottle especially compelling is the way it sits between categories. It still carries the lift and complexity of a premium gin, but the bourbon cask finish gives it a more contemplative, sipping-friendly character that can appeal even to whiskey drinkers. Wonderbird explicitly positions it as a fantastic bourbon replacement for an Old-Fashioned or to sip neat, which makes it a particularly attractive bottle for shoppers looking for something giftable, conversation-worthy, and genuinely different from standard gin offerings.

This is also a true limited-release bottle. Wonderbird’s Batch 16, for example, yielded just 252 bottles, reinforcing its collectible appeal and small-batch identity. That scarcity, paired with the unusual barrel-finishing approach and polished flavor profile, helps make No. 61 Cask Finished Gin feel like a bottle for enthusiasts rather than everyday shelf filler.

Serve it neat, over a large cube, or in a spirit-forward cocktail where the barrel notes can shine. It is especially well suited to an Old-Fashioned, and Wonderbird’s own recipe uses maple syrup, aromatic bitters, a cherry, and expressed orange peel, underscoring how naturally this gin steps into whiskey-style territory.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wonderbird Spirits No. 61 Cask Finished Gin?
It is a limited-release cask-finished version of Wonderbird’s flagship No. 61 Gin, rested in a Russell’s 10 Year bourbon barrel to add richness, vanilla, spice, and depth while preserving the gin’s botanical core.

What are the key specs of Wonderbird Spirits No. 61 Cask Finished Gin?
It is bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof) in 750ml format. Batch 16 was rested in a Russell’s 10 Year bourbon cask for 281 days and yielded only 252 bottles.

What flavors characterize Wonderbird Spirits No. 61 Cask Finished Gin?
It is described as smooth with bourbon overtones and notes of caramel, clove, citrus, subtle spice, and vanilla, combining botanical freshness with barrel-aged warmth.

How should you enjoy Wonderbird Spirits No. 61 Cask Finished Gin?
Wonderbird specifically recommends it as a bourbon replacement for an Old-Fashioned or to sip neat. It should also work beautifully over a large cube for a more spirit-forward presentation.

What makes Wonderbird Spirits No. 61 Cask Finished Gin special?
Its appeal comes from the combination of rice-based gin craftsmanship, bourbon barrel finishing, limited-release scarcity, and a flavor profile that bridges gin and whiskey in a highly original way.