The Newest Southern Star Release Highlights Experimental Wine Finish.
Southern Distilling Company has announced the release of Southern Star Paragon Bourbon Finished in Zinfandel Casks, a limited-edition, distillery-exclusive bourbon available beginning February 21, 2026. The release will be sold exclusively at the Southern Distilling Company Tasting Room in Statesville, North Carolina, with a suggested retail price of $49.95.
Zinfandel Cask Finish and Proof Details
The new expression joins Southern Distilling Company’s Paragon Collection and is bottled at 116.1 proof. After initial maturation, the bourbon spent more than a year finishing in used Zinfandel wine casks sourced from a boutique California winery. According to the distillery, the finish contributes a rich burgundy hue and layers of baking spice, vanilla bean, and warm oak, followed by a viscous palate with earthy spice, cherry candy, dried fruit, and chocolate, culminating in a bold oak and sweet campfire finish.
Innovation and Curiousity Behind the Release
“It started with a conversation and a bit of curiosity between friends,” said Pete Barger, co-founder and CEO of Southern Distilling Company. “We worked with a boutique California winery to source casks and what we received was well beyond what we imagined. The wines that lived in these barrels were almost port-like with a deep complexity. We knew we had to go all in!”
Southern Distilling Company positions the release as a departure from its previous work, emphasizing experimentation with wine-forward finishes. “Zinfandel-finished bourbon isn’t something you see every day,” Barger said. “From the start, this release was about innovation and pushing boundaries, bringing bourbon together with a wine profile that refuses to be subtle.” He added, “Driven by curiosity, collaboration, and a willingness to try something rare, the result exceeded our expectations and proved that the boldest barrels often tell the best stories.”
Availability and Gift Bundle Offering
In addition to individual bottle sales, Southern Distilling Company will offer a limited gift bundle priced at $79.95, which includes the bourbon alongside wine-inspired artisan chocolate truffles and a handmade whiskey chocolate bar. Both the bottle and bundle will be available exclusively at the Statesville Tasting Room. Additional information is available at SouthernDistillingCompany.com.
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