Rabbit Hole Dareringer Founder’s Collection
🍮 Intro
When I grabbed Rabbit Hole Dareringer Founder’s Collection, my first thought was, “Okay, now this looks like a bourbon that knows it’s attractive.” This is the fancy, dressed-up sibling of the regular Dareringer—finished longer, crafted with more intention, and priced like it knows it belongs on the top shelf. And let me tell you, this thing pours like dessert but drinks like a bourbon that means business. Whether you’re into port finishes or just want something that feels special the moment you unbox it, this bottle will definitely get your attention.
🕯️ History
Founded by Kaveh Zamanian, Rabbit Hole focuses on unique mashbills, bold finishes, and pushing bourbon into new territory without losing respect for tradition. Rabbit Hole has always been one of the more modern, design-forward bourbon brands out of Louisville. After touring the distillery myself, I can say the place feels more like a contemporary art museum than a traditional whiskey operation.
During the tour, they told us that the name Rabbit Hole actually came from the founder’s wife. Apparently, she joked that Kaveh Zamanian was going “down the rabbit hole” with his obsession over creating a new bourbon. Funny thing is, for a story they talked about so casually, I didn’t see it written anywhere on any of the dozens of posters on the walls quoting Mr. Zamanian. Odd, right? The regular Dareringer is their beloved PX sherry–finished bourbon, but the Founder’s Collection takes things up a notch—older base whiskey, a more controlled finishing process, premium barrels, and custom presentation. It’s Rabbit Hole at its most polished, intentional, and artistic.
🍾 Bottle
This bottle straight-up looks like a piece of art. The carved wooden case, the sliding front panel, the engraved branding—it’s the kind of packaging you feel bad throwing away. The bottle itself is tall, slim, and elegant, with gold accents that make it feel like something you’d give as a gift to someone you actually like. Inside, the whiskey is a blend of older bourbons finished in PX sherry casks. Rabbit Hole doesn’t hide behind vague branding—they lean into luxury, craftsmanship, and design. And unlike some “finished” bourbons that overdo it, this one aims for balanced sweetness rather than a full-on sugar bomb.
🥃 The Pour
In the glass, it's a deep amber with reddish hues—thanks to that Pedro Ximénez sherry influence. The legs slide down the glass slow and heavy, almost like they’re showing off. Before I even nosed it, the color alone said, “Prepare yourself. I’m about to be fancy.”
👃 Nose
This is where PX sherry does its thing. Big hits of fig, dark cherry, raisin, vanilla bean, and warm caramel. There’s also a dusty oak note that comes through from the older base whiskey. The sweetness isn’t sharp—it’s rounded, soft, and layered. I also got a bit of cocoa powder and a hint of toasted almond. If nose notes were desserts, this one is the bourbon version of bread pudding soaked in warm caramel sauce.
😋 Palate
First sip? Smooth, rich, and full of dark fruit—like cherry syrup, fig preserves, and honey-drizzled sponge cake. Then the oak kicks in with a mature backbone that keeps the sweetness in check. Mid-palate, you get vanilla cream, cocoa, and a touch of cinnamon. The sherry finish is absolutely present, but it never feels overpowering. It’s sweet, yes, but in a grown-up way—like dessert at a fancy restaurant where the waiter pronounces everything with a French accent. The mouthfeel is velvety, with just enough spice to remind you this is still bourbon, not fortified wine.
🔥 Finish
Medium-long finish with lingering dried fruit, dark chocolate, and caramel glaze. A little oak tannin shows up right at the end to balance things out. There’s a warm, cozy sweetness that hangs around like the last bite of a rich dessert you didn’t want to end. It’s elegant, smooth, and borderline dangerous because it goes down way too easy.
🎩 Final Thoughts
Rabbit Hole Dareringer Founder’s Collection is the definition of a premium finished bourbon done right. It’s the 2.0 — the upgraded, polished, “Robocop 2” version — of the original Dareringer. It’s dessert-forward but not syrupy, layered but not overwhelming, and the older whiskey gives it a backbone that the standard bottle never quite had. The PX sherry finish adds richness and elegance, and the whole package feels intentionally crafted rather than gimmicky. This is absolutely a bottle you pour when you want to impress someone… or impress yourself.
But here’s the honest part: I wouldn’t buy it again. It’s priced way up there, and the experience just doesn’t justify the jump from the regular Dareringer to this Founder’s Collection edition. Yes, it’s good — very good, even — but for $300+, I expect something that changes my life, rearranges my priorities, or at least tells me I’m handsome. Instead, what you get is a refined version of what the base Dareringer already does well… but not that much better. In fact, another $200 and you can uptain a MSRP Pappy. The depth is there, the flavor is there, but you can absolutely find something with similar richness and sweetness without selling an organ or negotiating that “treat yourself” conversation in your head or to your significant other.
Is it worth $300? NO.
Is it a good bourbon? YES.
Will it impress guests? Absolutely.
Will I buy another? Nope.
And listen — I’m never going to be that person who says, “Just buy this $40 bottle instead; it tastes exactly the same.” I can’t stand when people say that, because it’s never true. Every bottle has its own story and its own experience attached to it. If this bottle speaks to you, makes you happy, connects to a memory, or gives you that “I earned this” moment? Then, as Ben Stiller famously said, “DO IT!”
For me, it was a meaningful one-time purchase… and that’s exactly where it will stay.
Cheers to a dram good time! 🥃✨
The Details:
Proof: 102.1 • Distillery: Rabbit Hole • Mashbill: Undisclosed • Aged: 10yrs •Price: $300
Brown Water Rating Scale:
Nose: 4 • Palate: 5 • Finish: 4 • Uniqueness: 2 • Value: 1 • Overall: 3.2
This is a 5-point scale based on my own preferences. This was also tested by my father-in-law, another whiskey lover. 