If you follow the growing overlap between American whiskey and American music, Three Chord’s Backstage Series will already be on your radar. The “Goodbye June” edition—named for the Nashville rock band—leans into that concept with a high-octane blend bottled at 120 proof and finished in Cherry Bounce barrels, delivering a pour that’s unabashedly bold, a little off-the-beaten-path, and tuned for fans of cask-strength character. The release is part of Three Chord’s collaborative lineup spearheaded by guitarist/producer Neil Giraldo (yes, that Neil Giraldo), who founded the brand and curates these artist-inspired blends.
What it is (and why it’s interesting)
At its core, Goodbye June is a blend of five-year Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee straight bourbons, married together and finished in barrels that previously held Cherry Bounce—a historic cherry-and-spice liqueur. That finishing step is the twist, nudging classic bourbon notes toward a subtle dark-cherry accent without turning it into a fruit bomb. It’s bottled at 120 proof (roughly 60% ABV), which keeps the mouthfeel rich and the flavors concentrated. Typical retail sits around $69–$70.
For Kentucky whiskey fans who’ve seen a wave of finishes (toasted, maple, wine cask), Cherry Bounce is a less common lane, and that novelty is part of the draw. The Backstage Series framing—custom blends tied to touring bands—adds a collectible angle for listeners who want a bottle that riffs on their playlist.
Nose, palate, and finish (neat, with water, and on ice)
Neat (first pour, Glencairn):
The nose opens with caramel and baked brown sugar, then veers into cherry cordial and spiced oak, a combination the Cherry Bounce barrels seem to amplify. There’s also a thread of tobacco leaf and faint cocoa as it sits. The palate is immediately viscous—big caramel, sweet oak, and a punch of cherry-tinged red fruit, followed by cinnamon, clove, and a peppery pop at mid-palate. That proof drives depth but stays organized; the sweetness never turns syrupy. Finish is long, with drying oak, dark cherry peel, and a lingering hint of pipe tobacco. (These descriptors align with published tasting notes calling out rich caramel, sweet oak, cherry cordials, and tobacco.)
With a few drops of water:
A teaspoon of water per ounce tames the ethanol prickle and teases out more baking spice and vanilla, shifting the cherry from cordial toward dried cherry/raisin. The mouthfeel stays chewy, and the finish turns slightly more oak-forward.
On a large cube:
Ice leans the profile toward milk chocolate, caramel, and toasted oak, muting some of the cherry brightness but making the pour extra-sippable for summer. At 120 proof, Goodbye June holds its shape on ice better than many finished bourbons.
Flavor map (quick hits)
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Sweet: Caramel, vanilla bean, cherry cordial
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Spice: Cinnamon, clove, black pepper
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Oak/Tobacco: Sweet oak, toasted barrel, light tobacco leaf
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Fruit: Dark cherry, occasional raisin/fig with water
Price-to-value in Kentucky
At $70, Goodbye June lands in the crowded middle of Kentucky’s “treat-yourself” shelf, alongside store-pick single barrels and various toasted/finished bourbons. The value proposition is strong if you’re seeking (1) cask-strength intensity, (2) an uncommon finishing regime, and (3) a music-collab bottle with gifting appeal. If you prefer classic, unfinished Kentucky profiles at the same price, this may feel more niche—but still compelling for a rotation spot.
Availability has been limited/seasonal within the Backstage Series framework, so you’ll typically find it through select retailers, occasional online drops, or at band/brand events rather than sitting on every shelf year-round. If you see it in Louisville, Lexington, or NKY stores that lean into limited releases and private picks, snagging one on sight isn’t a bad strategy.
Cocktail ideas (if you insist)
Purists will argue a 120-proof, cherry-finished bourbon begs to be sipped neat or with a splash. That said, Goodbye June can power a Manhattan (2 oz bourbon, 1 oz sweet vermouth, 2 dashes bitters) with a Luxardo cherry garnish—doubling down on the cherry and spice. It also makes a muscular Old Fashioned; use a conservative ¼ oz simple syrup so the fruit notes don’t tilt too sweet.
Who is it for?
- Cask-strength fans who appreciate proofy structure but don’t want a bruiser that obliterates nuance.
- Finish-curious bourbon drinkers who’ve tried toasted/wine casks and want something different.
- Music collectors who enjoy bottles tied to bands and touring culture.
Pros (Advantages)
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Distinct finishing: Cherry Bounce barrel finishing is uncommon, adding a dark-cherry accent that feels intentional rather than gimmicky.
- High proof with balance: At 120 proof, the whiskey remains structured and layered, offering flexibility to drink neat, with water, or on ice without collapsing.
- Compelling value at ~$70 relative to other limited, finished, or cask-strength offerings in the same band.
- Gift-worthy story: The Backstage Series and the Goodbye June collaboration deliver a built-in narrative for music lovers.
- Tasting profile: Published notes and our experience align on caramel, sweet oak, cherry cordial, and tobacco, with a long finish—a crowd-pleasing combo for Kentucky palates that like classic bourbon with a twist.
Cons (Disadvantages)
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Limited availability: As a Backstage Series release, it may be harder to find consistently across Kentucky retailers compared to core-line bourbons.
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Finish is polarizing: Traditionalists who don’t enjoy fruit-accented finishes may prefer a classic single-barrel or small-batch pick in the same price range.
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Proof can be hot for casual drinkers: At 120 proof, the first sip may read hot without a few minutes of air or a splash of water.
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Collectible markup risk: Music tie-ins sometimes invite small retail markups or secondary flips; patience or local relationships help keep pricing sane. (General market observation consistent with limited/series releases.)
Potential side effects & responsible enjoyment
This is a high-proof spirit. Even small pours can have a larger physiological impact than a standard 80–90 proof bourbon. Potential side effects from over-consumption include impaired coordination and judgment, nausea, dehydration, headache, and exacerbation of acid reflux. Those sensitive to congeners in darker spirits may notice stronger next-day effects compared to clear spirits. As with all whiskey, avoid if pregnant and be mindful of interactions with medications (particularly sedatives, certain antidepressants, and blood pressure meds). If you have cherry or stone-fruit allergies, note that the finishing barrels previously held a cherry-based liqueur; while the final bourbon contains no fruit, extremely sensitive individuals should use caution. Hydration, food pairing, and pacing (1–1.5 oz per pour with water between) are your friends. (General alcohol-safety guidance; proof and finishing details as above.)
Brand background: why “Three Chord” matters
Three Chord is the flagship whiskey brand of Steel Bending Spirits, founded by Neil Giraldo—best known as the longtime guitarist/producer with Pat Benatar. Giraldo launched the brand in 2016, bringing a musician’s ear for blending to whiskey—“perfectly tuned taste,” as the brand likes to say. The company’s identity is steeped in musical language (three-chord progressions, harmony, tone), and the Backstage Series explicitly connects bottles to touring artists (The Cadillac Three, Goodbye June, and later collaborations with other bands). For Kentucky whiskey fans, that backstory explains why Three Chord often experiments with blends across state lines (KY/IN/TN) and finishes that add a new “instrument” to the chorus.
How it stacks up in your Kentucky cabinet
Kentucky shelves are full of proofs and finishes. Here’s where Goodbye June fits:
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Against classic, unfinished Kentucky bourbons in the $50–$70 band (think 100–110 proof small batches), Goodbye June offers more proof and a novel finish, trading a bit of “traditional” for a richer cherry-spice undertone.
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Against other finished bourbons (toasted/maple/wine cask) at $70–$90, Goodbye June’s Cherry Bounce angle reads more heritage-quirky than dessert-sweet, which many seasoned drinkers will appreciate.
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Against cask-strength stalwarts, it won’t bring the tannic thunder of some barrel-proof bruisers, but it does bring balance and length, which makes it friendly for guests who are new to high proof but curious to step up.
Serving and food pairing suggestions
- Neat with a splash after 5–10 minutes in the glass is the sweet spot.
- Pair with Derby-friendly snacks: country ham on biscuits, sharp Kentucky cheddar, or a square of bourbon-ball chocolate (the cherry note plays nicely here).
- For cigars, reach for a medium-bodied stick so you don’t bury the cherry-oak interplay.
Final verdict
Three Chord: Goodbye June is a confident bottle with a musician’s sensibility—loud when it wants to be, but mixed to let every instrument be heard. The 120 proof backbone gives it stage presence; the Cherry Bounce finishing supplies the hook. If your Kentucky bar already has the classics covered and you want something memorable yet balanced, this hits the mark at around $70. The limited nature of the Backstage Series means it’s not a forever-on-shelf pour, but that’s part of the charm. For listeners who want their whiskey to sound as good as it tastes, this collaboration is worth the ticket price.
Quick reference
- Style: Blend of KY/IN/TN straight bourbons, finished in Cherry Bounce barrels
- Age: Blend built around ~5-year stocks
- Proof: 120 (≈60% ABV)
- Price: ~$69–$70 (when found at SRP)
- Series: Three Chord Backstage Series (artist collaborations)
If you want, I can also suggest near-Kentucky retailers that have carried Backstage Series bottles recently, or help compare this to a couple of cask-strength Kentucky bourbons in the same price lane.
