The term "splinter group" means a subset of people who have broken off from the rest to pursue their own agenda. The Splinter Group as a company is a group of Napa Valley winemakers who have teamed up to finish classic American Whiskeys in ex-Wine casks. The Sinter Group was founded in 2013 by John Wilkinson of winemaker Bin to Bottle and Dave Phinney of Orin Swift Wines. They have since been joined by other experienced oenophiles (wine lovers) in the area, representing decades of experience. As non-distilling producers, they source their aged Whiskeys from established producers across the midwest and southeastern United States and then blend them on site in northern California. The married spirits are finally finished in first-fill Wine casks. They have completed four products to date, including an American Whiskey, Bourbon, Rye, and a Sweet Vermouth. Straight Edge Bourbon is a blend of Tennessee and Kentucky Bourbons aged five, seven, and eight years old. The net mash bill is approximately 70% corn with the balance 17% rye and 13% malted barley. The blend is then finished in local Napa Cabernet Wine casks brining a lush, ripe plum aroma and taste to the traditional Bourbon flavor profile. It has a nice balance and solid mouthfeel and is bottled at 42% ABV. The Wine cask finishing also deepens the color to an antique mahogany hue with hints of red. This Bourbon stands tall on its own as a flavorful sipping Whiskey taken neat or with a few rocks.