presents
You must be 21 years of age or older to enter this site.
Please drink responsibly. By entering you agree to the Whisky Advocate Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Find a bottle
Sponsored content Whisky Advocate × Foley Family Wines & Spirits
Master Distiller Chip Tate took a six-year Kentucky bourbon and finished it in six different casks. Not every risk pays off. This one did.
02 — The Move
Great outcomes often spring from bold, calculated risks, and few embody that philosophy like Chip Tate. One of American whiskey's most fearless craftsmen, Tate founded Balcones Distilling in a former Waco welding shop in 2008, designing his own copper pot stills and a line of Texas whiskeys that earned critical acclaim. In 2014 he established Tate & Co. Distillery and Tate Craft Copperworks to keep pushing.
In 2024, Tate joined Foley Family Wines & Spirits as Master Distiller for Innovation. Gambit No. 6 is his first release there, and the opening move of a new chapter.
03 — Six Casks
That's the gambit. Chip originally envisioned a double wine-barrel-finished bourbon, then found that four more finishes added something unique to the blend in structure, palate and finish. Follow the whiskey through each cask.
Where most of the bourbon begins its second life. Ex-Chardonnay oak is known for bright orchard fruit and a rounder, creamier texture.
A portion of the whiskey rests here the longest. Cabernet barrels are prized for dark fruit, dry tannin and structure.
Orchard warmth. Apple brandy casks are associated with baked-apple sweetness and a soft, spiced finish.
The classic finishing cask. Oloroso brings dried fruit, walnut and a savory, nutty depth.
Rare in bourbon. Muscatel casks are known for floral, grapey sweetness and perfume on the nose.
The wild card. Tokaji casks are associated with honeyed apricot and a long, rich finish, the kind of thing you only find by taking the risk.
04 — The Method
Unlike other barrel-finished bourbons, Gambit No. 6 goes further: it starts with a six-year-aged Kentucky bourbon and finishes in six different barrel types before the parts are blended back together.
A six-year-aged Kentucky straight bourbon is the foundation. Everything after is finishing.
A portion goes into ex-Cabernet Sauvignon barrels for 19 months. The rest begins in ex-Chardonnay barrels for 3 months.
From the Chardonnay barrels, the whiskey is split among ex-Oloroso Sherry, ex-Muscatel, ex-Tokaji and ex-Apple Brandy barrels for 16 months.
The six are then masterfully blended to create a whiskey with unparalleled depth and complexity.
05 — The Payoff
A rich and dry whiskey that reveals itself in layers: baking spices on the nose, then a balanced palate with hints of cacao, sweet tobacco and a diverse blend of ripe fruit. Perfect sipped neat or in an Old Fashioned.
06 — Suggested Serves
Gambit was built to stand up in a glass. Three serves from the brand, from the easy one to the one worth showing off.
The easy one
Add ingredients to a mixing glass with ice, stir, and strain into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with an orange twist and a cherry. (Saline is an 80% water, 20% salt solution.)
The bright one
Add ingredients to a mixing glass with ice, stir, and strain into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with a blackberry and a lemon twist. (Saline is an 80% water, 20% salt solution.)
The one to show off
Muddle the cherries, add Gambit No. 6, simple syrup and lime juice to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a Nick & Nora, top with soda and two dashes of Angostura. Garnish with a lemon twist.
07 — The Film
Film coming soon
08 — Find a Bottle
Gambit No. 6 is in distribution for the gifting season. Find it near you, or send a bottle to the whiskey drinker who thinks they've tried everything.
Suggested retail price $70 · 750 ml · 46% Alc./Vol. (92 proof)
