2023 Single Barrel Program Barrels

Week 32 – WhistlePig 10 Year Single Cask Rye “Stick Season” r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 55.5% ABV
Age: 10 Years
State of Distillation: Canada
Bottling State: Vermont, USA (WhistlePig)
Mashbill: 100% Rye Mashbill
Cask: 91322
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom R/Bourbon labeling on bottle + Stick Season Sticker
Tasting Notes: Sweet honey on the nose mixed with caramel candies, butterscotch, a pop of rye spice and plenty of pleasant clove. Just the right amount of oak, this maintains the core WP old rye profile, filled with tobacco. The familiar fruits return, combining orange peel and plum along with clove and sweet oak. The finish is long and bold with plenty of tobacco, rye spice, caramel and maple.

Week 32 – WhistlePig 10 Year Single Cask Rye “Champion of Vermont” r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 52.75% ABV
Age: 10 Years
State of Distillation: Canada
Bottling State: Vermont, USA (WhistlePig)
Mashbill: 100% Rye Mashbill
Cask: 177072
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom R/Bourbon labeling on bottle + Stick Season Sticker
Tasting Notes: An undeniable departure from the standard profile I find in WP10 barrels, this release is packed with maple and dials up the fruit in a spontaneous left hook from the spice aisle. Blackberry, maple syrup and warm butter open on the nose, this pig is deeply reminiscent of our Pancake Breakfast release from 2021. Fruit character blends berry with orange peel and lightly tropical fruits, blackberry, currant and a dash of fig along with heavy maple, powerful oak and a touch of rye funk. Easily the longest finish of the three, despite being the lowest proof. It’s a champion alright.

Week 32 – WhistlePig 10 Year Single Cask Rye “Bad Mr. Bacon” r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 53.15% ABV
Age: 10 Years
State of Distillation: Canada
Bottling State: Vermont, USA (WhistlePig)
Mashbill: 100% Rye Mashbill
Cask: 91317
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom R/Bourbon labeling on bottle + Stick Season Sticker
Tasting Notes: We’re back to our regularly scheduled rye notes with this bruiser of a barrel. Sacrificing fruits for extra rye character and oak, this single cask leans hard into maple, brown sugar, rich pipe tobacco, black tea and delicious, funky rye. A touch of balsamic on the finish blends well with a rich palate, punchy and oaky, interlaced pleasantly with caramel, demerara sugar, a hint of barrel char and a crazy satisfying finish.

Week 31 – Traverse City Whiskey Company 8yr Single Barrel Rye r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 50.2% ABV
Display Age: 8 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Michigan, USA (Traverse City)
Mashbill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley (MGP 95/5 Recipe)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom R/Bourbon plaque labeling on bottle
Tasting Notes: Packed with brown sugar and creme brulee on the nose, it doesn’t take long for that familiar 95/5 rye spice to join in the mix. Very faintly herbal, tobacco and brown sugar meet rye spice, cracked pepper and a faint touch of graham cracker on the nose. There’s plenty of oak, it’s dry, complex, bold. The palate continues this theme, viscous and layered, really decadent mouthfeel. Where the prickle of ethanol usually sits, brown butter, waffle cone, rich cigar tobacco and blackberry takes center stage instead. Rye spice and bold oak continue throughout the palate and lead to a long, drawn out finish that’s rich and bold, dry and oaky, full of spice and sweet brown sugar, without a trace of ethanol. One of the richest ryes I’ve had in this age range.

Week 31 – Old Elk 8yr Single Barrel Bourbon “Cosmic Bourbon” r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 54.7% ABV
Display Age: 8 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Colorado, USA (Old Elk)
Mashbill: 51% Corn, 34% Malted Barley, 15% Rye
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom R/Bourbon labeling on bottle + cosmic bourbon sticker
Tasting Notes: A complex beast, this 8 year single barrel shows off just how hard high malt mashbills can go on the court. The nose is full of red berries, cocoa and cream, honey and rich french vanilla. There’s a pack of oak, a pile of caramel and a faint dash of cinnamon. The palate is complex and rich, full of flavor and bold on the palate without tearing your head off. At 54%, it trades overproof bruiser status for a balanced, bold bourbon. Caramel candies, cream and sweet oak blend with dry baking spice, a rich vein of pepper and clove, more red fruits from the nose blending with apple butter and a dense, nougat dessert character on the back palate. The finish grows oakier, balancing all of the dessert from the palate into pleasant tannin and rich dessert for days.

Week 31 – Old Elk Rum Finished Rye “Cosmic Rye” r/Bourbon Private Selection

This release made up most of my day at Old Elk. At Old Elk they have both Foursquare and Rhum JM rum casks. Barbados Rum often tastes extremely bourbony to me. It’s good stuff, but not the most complex. Rhum JM on the other hand, is one of my favorite rums on the market. It’s an agricole style rum (just like our recent Backbone rum finish) and it’s distilled on the island of Martinique.

Rhum JM is the heart and home of agricole, documented as the first producer of the style. Rhum agricole is produced from sugarcane, rather than molasses, etc. At JM’s distilling facility, sugarcane is freshly pressed and heads straight to fermentation. It’s not sourced from another country, county or producer, and therefore produces some of the fastest harvest -> fermentation tank process. Stretching back to 1845, these guys have been making rum for a hot minute. Agricole rum has a bright and complex character, it’s vibrant and full of life, packed with tropical notes, grassy complexity and an incredible palette of flavors and possibility.

Sorry for geeking out there for a sec, but I really love Martinique rum. So, it’s no surprise that I looked past the Foursquare finishes after a couple tastes and dove straight into the Rhum JM finishes. The nice part of this is that most folks aren’t deeply aware of Rhum JM and their history (or the flavor) so they often opt for the familiar at Old Elk. We headed another direction. The Old Elk team was kind enough to pull down more than a dozen rhum finished ryes, and we got to work.

We narrowed it down to 8, then to 6, then to 4, and finally it came down to find a winner. There were two barrels I loved because they were unabashed agricole, raw and aggressive and hints of rye showed through. One barrel was all rye with a kiss of rhum on the finish. And, finally, there was a perfectly integrated barrel in the middle. Full of rye and rum on the nose, this barrel showed masterful balance between herbal rye and colorful rum on the palate, with a finish that danced. I said goodbye to those two guilty pleasure barrels, maybe I’d be back for them in a future year, but there was no doubt we had found the right barrel in this fourth barrel, a masterclass of rum and rye. It’s rare to see finish times these long, and they did the whiskey well. Our chosen barrel was finished for 10 months. Oh man.

ABV: 59.35% ABV
Display Age: 5 Years 9 Months Initial Aging, 10 Months Rhum JM Martinique Rum Cask Finish
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Colorado, USA (Old Elk)
Mashbill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley (95/5 MGP Mashbill)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom R/Bourbon labeling on bottle + Cosmic Rye sticker
Tasting Notes: Rye and tropical fruit greet you on the nose: apples, mango and pear pop with candied oranges, maple sugar, brown butter and some tobacco spice. Light oak on the nose, it’s a tempting combination that balances sweet, spice, oak and fruit. The palate is rich and powerful, the nearly 60% ABV pulls together an incredible combination once more, this time kicking off with rye spice, brown butter, fruity funk, hefty oak and a touch of cracked pepper, clove and spice. The rhum influence here lays back a touch, letting rye spring forward first and then accenting with rich demerara sugars, candied orange, apple and mango. The finish is long and robust, herbal and full of rye spice, dense oak and one final pop of brown butter and demerara sugar.

Week 30 – Barrell “Batch: T8KE” Private Release Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Blend

Info: Barrell’s first entirely private release blend of bourbons, created in partnership between t8ke, r/bourbon, Travel Bar Brooklyn and Barrell Craft Spirits.

Comprised of 25% 5 Year Bourbon, 60% 6 Year Bourbon, 10% 9 Year Bourbon and 5% 16 Year Bourbon, this release is a big, bold bourbon that’s tuned through iterative blending. Special thanks to Barrell’s Nic Christansen for her masterful oversight, hard work and preparation to guide this day of blending – the first of its kind for a private group.

The team spent a full day testing blends, blind taste testing and comparing batch after batch. In order to progress, a blend had to pass as the unanimous best in a sample set. It was then refined through the introduction of new components and modifying ratios, and tried blind against the previous batches.

A new blend could only progress if it won again, unanimous in the blind. After many rounds of blending, the final batch was locked in, winning blind once more against all new creations.

Bottled at 117.52pf (58.76% ABV), 900 bottles were produced for the country, making this release a truly small batch. Bottles will be available online through Seelbach’s and SharedPour, as well as on premise at Travel Bar Brooklyn (eta for on premise not currently available – will be announced when ready).

When asked what ‘##AA” batch code I wanted for the blend, I asked if we could monkey with tradition for the first time at Barrell, and they approved. Thus, batch code T8KE was born. Goodbye ##AA, hello A#AA.

Commentary from t8ke: “I wanted this blend to be as big and as flavorful as it could be without leaning on a single component for its flavor profile. The 5 and 6 year components drive an enticing nose, the 6 and 10 year components present a decadent palate, and a hint of 16 year introduces gentle, well structured tannin, without shifting the flavor of the blend away from bold, rich dessert. Say hello to your new favorite bourbon of 2023.”

ABV: 58.76% ABV
Age: 25% 5 Year Bourbon, 60% 6 Year Bourbon, 10% 9 Year Bourbon and 5% 16 Year Bourbon
State of Distillation: Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky, USA
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Barrell)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Retailer: Available Here
Labeling: Customized T8KE Batch Code on Bottle
Tasting Notes:
- Nose: Complex and sweet on the nose, this bourbon opens up with notes of brown sugar, barrel char, rich baking spice and sweet pipe tobacco. It’s layered, rich, full of dessert sweetness with a hint of oak, bold caramels and decadent creaminess.
- Taste: The palate is viscous and rich, the 6 and 10 year components pull maximum weight here. Complex and full of baking spice, vanilla bean, creme brulee and caramelized brown sugar, barrel char, more tobacco and a hint of light, savory, pepper.
- Finish: The finish is monstrous, carries satisfyingly for some time, presenting brown sugar, cream and savory oak for ages.

Week 30 – Old Elk Sour Mash Reserve 7yr Single Barrel r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 59.35% ABV
Display Age: 7 Year Age Statement on Bottle (7 Years, 8 Months, distilled August 2015)
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Colorado, USA (Old Elk)
Mashbill: 51% Corn, 34% Malted Barley, 15% Rye
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom R/Bourbon labeling on bottle
Tasting Notes: Spicy on the nose, this orange marmalade, pepper, caramel and cream sweetness bomb is a spritely welcome. Trying this side by side with our single barrel bourbon pick of the same day was really night and day. The palate is all caramel candies and nougat, hints of orange, baking spice, light floral notes and a hefty punch of butterscotch swoops in. At almost 60%, it’s not pulling any punches and the viscosity on the palate is dreamy. Long finish, heavier on the spiced fruits and caramel once again. Where our upcoming single barrel bourbon zigs with heavy cream, maple and tobacco, this barrel zags with that floral and fruit character on the nose and a spicy palate with butterscotch throughout. Really cool experiment here.

Week 29 – Barrell Private Release Rye 1S10 Sauternes Finished Rye r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 53.54% ABV
Age: NAS
State of Distillation: Indiana & Canada
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Barrell)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Badge
Tasting Notes: Rye spice drives the show once again, picking up loads of extra wine character along the way. Black tea, apple butter, sweet pear and beautiful honey, delicate creme brulee and flaky pastry drift by on the nose. Sauternes contributes impressive viscosity to the palate, complementing the savory and spice character of the rye. It’s easy drinking, full of pear and apple, creme brulee and caramelized sugar, and a continued sweet tea note. Palate is long and rich, giving up some sweetness in favor of oak, pepper and luscious rye. Our first Sauternes cask leaned heavy on rye, this cask leans heavier on Sauternes, sacrificing some ABV proof points in favor of extra wine, viscosity and opulence.

Week 29 – Dancing Goat Presents T8ke “Wheat & Reverie” 9yr Wheat Whiskey Single Barrel

Reverie, a term many people heard for the first time in the first season of Westworld, describes a moment of being lost in your thoughts. A pleasant daydream, a slice of time detached from reality with a dream in mind. Reverie is the intersection of a musing and a fanciful idea.

When I approached Dancing Goat about the Wheat Project, it had been something that had captured my attention for a good long while. But, it was a reach. A wild idea born from a daydream. It was a fanciful idea. But, they shared the enthusiasm of my thoughts and provided the building blocks to turn an opulent daydream into something much more.

ABV: 62.1% ABV
Age: 9 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Wisconsin, USA (Dancing Goat)
Mashbill: 95% Wheat Mashbill
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Fully Custom Label
Tasting Notes: Wheat & Reverie opens with pancake syrup, generous clove, rich demerara and sweet waffle cone. These barrels over the 9yr hump pick up a bit of extra ABV, and Reverie sits at 62.1% ABV. Despite the hefty proof, the palate is full of light tannin, brown butter, salted caramel, a touch of toffee and pleasant apple and orange peel. Easy drinking, the introduction of some pleasant, gentle tannin rounds out the palate, allowing proof to rise along with complexity and viscosity. Long finish, heavy on maple and cream, a light maple character with a hint of brown butter.

Week 29 – Dancing Goat Presents T8ke “Ahead & Behind” 9yr Wheat Whiskey Single Barrel

Eternity lies ahead of us, and behind. Have you drunk your fill?

An old quote, from an old, old game that shaped a good bit of my upbringing, Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri introduced a number of ideas in the nearly 10 years that I enjoyed it before it would stop running on computers that I owned.

One of many quotes that stuck with me over the years, ‘Ahead & Behind’ draws inspiration from those few words. The fourth release in the Wheat Project, it’s a celebration of ground covered thus far, and an invitation to many wilder things to come. A sister cask to Wheat and Reverie, it aged for nine years in the ricking side by side. We’ve come a ways, but there’s so much farther to go.

ABV: 61.5% ABV
Age: 9 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Wisconsin, USA (Dancing Goat)
Mashbill: 95% Wheat Mashbill
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Fully Custom Label
Tasting Notes: First tasting notes read: “huge nose, sweet tobacco, bang bang”. Second, third, fourth and proofing tastings all share the same, this cask leans heavier into savory dessert character. No fruits here. Sweet maple candies on the nose pair with caramelized sugar, butterscotch and a dash of pipe tobacco. The palate is rich, full of sweet maple, tobacco, werther’s candies, brown butter, a dash of pepper, heavy clove and a pinch of baking spice. The finish moves on more quickly than Reverie, subbing fruit and dessert notes for spice, a pinch of clove and creme brulee all the way out of town.

Week 29 – Rare Character AMB-148 “Dark” Amburana Finished Single Barrel Rye r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 56.16% ABV
Age: 6 Years 8 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Rare Character)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Fully Custom Label
Tasting Notes: Whew – pound cake, cinnamon, brown butter and brown sugar slam into your olfactory on first smell, blending sweet, savory and tannin. Rye spice and tannin holds Amburana in suspension, well balanced as the spice, toffee and brown sugar lean to balance the herbal rye, ginger and pinch of dill and pepper. Bold and viscous on the palate, the proof is nowhere to be found. Blackberry, currant and a hint of bitters pop as the pour opens up, adding a light fruit element along with the herbal rye, heavy Amburana and plentiful brown sugar.

Week 29 – Rare Character AMB-168 “Light” Amburana Finished Single Barrel Rye r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 58.68% ABV
Age: 6 Years 8 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Rare Character)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Fully Custom Label
Tasting Notes: While Dark integrates some really unique characteristics: fruit and bitters to pair with amburana’s signature cinnabon and amburana notes, this barrel paints inside the lines with tannin, amburana and rye character. Brown sugar and anise greet the nose, packed full of maple, vanilla icing, caramel candies and a touch of cocoa. The palate is rich and full of rye spice, a touch of herbal character, brown sugar, pepper, clove, a light touch of graham cracker. The finish carries long and heavy, packed with baking spice, brown sugar, spice drops, heavy oak and sweet butter cream. This one sticks around in a big way.

Week 28 – WhistlePig 6yr Piggyback Rye “Ryedration Lite” Single Barrel r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 53.26% ABV
Age: 6 Years 6 Months
State of Distillation: Vermont, USA (WhistlePig)
Bottling State: New York, USA (WhistlePig)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Badge + Ryedration Lite sticker
Tasting Notes: Rich on the nose with pounds of sweet caramel, rich and peppery rye, a hint of orange peel and loads of maple and herbal kick. The palate is mellow and viscous, I’m impressed how complex it presents with each feature on the nose dialed up on the palate. It’s punchy rye at first, giving way slowly to a pinch of citrus, ginger, honey, maple and a punch of black pepper. Long finish, herbal rye spice, brown sugar and a final hint of pepper and citrus see this one off. While I wouldn’t advocate that you use all of a $60 bottle on cocktails, I have to say, it makes a killer manhattan.

Week 28 – Starlight Turkish Apricot Brandy Finished Bourbon Single Barrel r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 56.25% ABV
Age: 4 Years + 7mo Finishing Time
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Bottling State: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Badge on Bottle
Tasting Notes: Bright and fresh on the nose, sweet cream, vanilla, waffle cone and a hint of brown butter pop first on the nose. Subtle apricot, fig and a hint of orange develop on the nose and give way to a rich, viscous palate that’s all bourbon first and laced with nuanced apricot and a subtle, jammy fruit character. Sweet cream, apricot jam and peach cobbler blend on the palate. Long finish that draws in more oak and sees the fruit character off – waffle cone, sweet cream, balancing baking spice and one last zip of apricot reduction see this pour off.

Week 28 – Starlight Amburana Finished Bourbon Single Barrel r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 53.35% ABV
Age: 4 Years 6 Months + 6mo Finishing Time
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Bottling State: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Badge on Bottle
Tasting Notes: Ohhhhh baby it’s Amburana. We’re back to first fill casks for both this bourbon and rye and this flavor monster picks up right where ours have left off. Pound cake, ginger, baking spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cinnamon rolls and brown butter punch on the nose, balanced with modest oak, maple on the palate and a supple ABV. Long finish, it’s powerful and staying, light on oak and spice, heavy on dessert character and sweetness and sticky with spice that reminds you just how unique Amburana is.

Week 28 – Starlight Amburana Finished Rye Single Barrel r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 58.21% ABV
Age: 4 Years 6 Months + 7mo Finishing Time
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Bottling State: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Badge on Bottle
Tasting Notes: For fans that want all of the unique spice of Amburana but want to dial back the sweetness and replace it with additional spice and tannin, the rye is here! This rye finished in first fill Amburana punches heavy with tobacco, baking spice, brown sugar, toffee and brown butter on the nose. The palate features some additional viscosity, a punch of spice and pepper on the palate and tons of brown butter, waffle cone, tobacco, black tea and funk that carries through the long, nearly eternal, finish.

Week 28 – Westland 7yr Jurancon Finished American Single Malt r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 52% ABV
Age: 7 Years
State of Distillation: Washington, USA (Westland Distillery)
Bottling State: Washington, USA (Westland Distillery)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Mashbill: 100% Five Malt Barley from Pacific Northwest
Initial Cask Type: New American Oak Cooper’s Reserve
Finish Time: 2.9 Years in Jurancon Sweet Wine Casks
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Badge on Bottle
Tasting Notes: Rich on the nose, malt presents first with big baking spice notes, cocoa, honey, toffee and salted caramel up front. The palate is rich and viscous and Jurancon helps bring in a touch of sweet white grape, honey, fresh pastry, sweet pear and a hint of apple butter. It’s such an opulent palate that’s layered and easy to sit with for a good long while. The finish is mellow and complex, viscous and once again rich and full of sweet cream, malty cocoa, apple, almond, white grape and fresh honey and pastry.

Week 28 – Westland 7yr Tempranillo Finished American Single Malt r/Bourbon Private Selection

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ABV: 52.1% ABV
Age: 7 Years
State of Distillation: Washington, USA (Westland Distillery)
Bottling State: Washington, USA (Westland Distillery)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Mashbill: 100% Five Malt Barley from Pacific Northwest
Initial Cask Type: New American Oak Cooper’s Select
Finish Time: 2.6 Years Tempranillo Dry Red Wine Casks
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Badge on Bottle
Tasting Notes: A roomful of thumbs way up for a reason, this Tempranillo finished cask 6668 is a masterpieces that combines sweet malt, dense cocoa, dry red wine and gobs of complexity. Sweet red berries on the palate meet cocoa, a touch of pepper, big malt and modest, sweet oak. Unbelievably complex. The finish goes on for ages, combining red berries, a hint of tobacco and char, and layer after layer of sweet cream, honey and caramels. Decadent, to say the least.

Week 27 – Backbone Barrel Proof Single Barrel Bourbon Martinique Rum Finish r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 55.5% ABV
Age: 5 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Indiana, USA (Backbone Bourbon Company)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Badge on Bottle
Tasting Notes: The nose is poppin’ – maple and mango pair together, rich with honey, sweet cream, notes of caramel apple, tropical fruit, a hint of pepper and light, sweet oak. The palate is rich and viscous, with bourbon notes popping first: caramel, vanilla bean, barrel char and a touch of pepper. The Martinique rum presents with a fun, fruity, funk: papaya, mango, citrus and pear blending in with the vanilla and char of the bourbon. The ABV is sneaky here with the complexity on the palate, its easy drinking and even easier to enjoy as the warm weather haunts us. The finish is long, the rum finish pops most here, and there’s no shortage of caramel, cream, sweet oak, bright fruit and a tropical pineapple note on the way out. An unlikely pairing comes together to demonstrate one of the most interesting whiskeys to drink this year!

Week 27 – Blue Note Uncut Single Barrel Bourbon “Soda Fountain Collection #4: Raspberry Ripple” r/Bourbon Private Selection

The fourth chapter of our Soda Fountain Collection is finally here. I’m calling this release Raspberry Ripple because it leans more into vanilla, caramels, raspberry tart, fruits and a touch of cream. It’s less cola forward than our first three releases and preserves a classic bourbon profile with pops of raspberry on the nose and palate.

Much like its soda shop siblings, it’s north of 60% ABV, aged the same and one of the best deals these days in whiskey. I love these barrels when they hit, and due to demand on these being absolutely nuts, we have some follow ups on the way as well. With temps soaring in the midwest, and the humidity rising as well, I could go for a good raspberry float all weekend long.

ABV: 61.25% ABV
Barrel: #17910
Age: 4 Years, 8 Months
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (Green River)
Bottling State: Tennessee, USA (Blue Note)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Label Strip on Bottle + Soda Fountain Collection Sticker
Tasting Notes: I’m always amazed how much fun fruit displays in these Blue Notes and while this barrel demonstrates less of that cola / root beer character from past releases, the raspberry, vanilla, cream and honey blend wonderfully here. It reminds me of barrel char, caramel, maple candies and those old hard candies that were smoothie or milkshake flavored. Creme Savers, I believe they were (what a terrible name). Raspberry fruit layers in with satisfying vanilla and cream, honey and a touch of pepper. The palate is rich, the proof is dangerous and absent, and the finish is full of sweet cream, vanilla bean, raspberry syrup, sweet oak, light ginger, a hunt of graham cracker and honey. Delicious, sippable, crushable.

Week 27 – Traverse City Whiskey Company 5yr Barrel Proof Straight Wheat Whiskey r/Bourbon Private Barrel Program

ABV: 57.5% ABV
Age: 5 Year Age Statement
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP
Bottling State: Michigan, USA (Traverse City Whiskey Co)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Label Strip on Bottle
Tasting Notes: Wheat presents in such a satisfying profile, these majority wheat mashbills from MGP are showing so well. I notice that compared to the Old Elk Wheat releases we’ve had, this barrel is showing much more oak, much more spice, much more balancing character against the sweetness of the wheat. Wheat shows here with butterscotch, brown butter, fresh caramel and a creme brulee / caramelized sugar profile on the nose. The palate is heavy and viscous, there’s a prickle of ethanol and a punch of dry oak. Maple hangs around, butterscotch is present in spades and the finish is long, textured and full of honey, butter scotch, dry oak and a prickle of ethanol. It’s bold, and despite the bonkers wheat content, devoid of the red hots cinnamon profile I don’t enjoy in some wheaters with a capital W.

Week 26 – Barrell Private Release Rye Tokaji Finished Rye r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 58.79% ABV
Age: NAS (Blend of Indiana and Canadian Ryes, married, then finished)
Barrel: 1T21
State of Distillation: MGP + Canadian Rye
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Barrell Craft Spirits)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Badge on Bottle
Tasting Notes: Rich and zesty on the nose, full of rich bread, rye spice, pleasant oak, honey and funky rye. Black tea, orange peel and marmalade, apple butter, crisp pear, sweet clover honey and a pop of candied ginger, champagne sweetness and bold rye spice. Rye takes finishing so well that the foundation of brown sugar, pleasant oak, honey and caramel meld effortlessly with fruits, sweet wine finishing and caramels. Eternal finish.

Week 26 – Barrell Private Release Rye Sauternes Finished Rye r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 57.49% ABV
Age: NAS (Blend of Indiana and Canadian Ryes, married, then finished)
Barrel: 1S01
State of Distillation: MGP + Canadian Rye
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Barrell Craft Spirits)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Badge on Bottle
Tasting Notes: There are few love affairs more publicized than my love of Sauternes, and this is the next iteration of my ballad to sweet, French wines. Bold rye spice leads up front with funky rye and black tea, clove and graham cracker, pepper and beautifully stratified layers of honey, ginger and sourdough. The Sauternes finish layers in tons of sweet creme brulee, opulent turkish delight, caramelized sugars, fuji apple, pear, plum and light almond sweetness. Finish is long lived, layered, complex and has an unending set of layers of fruit, pastry, sweetness and savory complexity to taste through. Rye masterclass.

Week 25 – Barrell Craft Spirits 8yr Kentucky Single Barrel, Barrel Proof, Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 60.9% ABV
Age: 8 Years
Barrel: ZG35
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (Undisclosed)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Barrell Craft Spirits)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Badge on Bottle
Tasting Notes: Bold on the nose, this pour immediately packs a punch of warm pastries, brown sugar, toffee, a touch of salted caramel and barrel char along with a light pop of cherry. The palate starts all vanilla, bold brown sugar, maple candies, pleasant oak for balance and satisfying baking spice on the back palate. Rich and viscous texture on the palate, perhaps a little too easy drinking for 60+%. The finish is long, full of cherries, cocoa, nougat and creme brulee and a final slap of maple richness.

Week 25 – NULU Four Grain r/Bourbon Private Selection Custom Blend

ABV: 59.3% ABV
Age: 5 Years (Blend of 5 and 6 year barrels)
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (NULU)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Label Strip on Bottle
Tasting Notes: I don’t know why I don’t try and blend more because this day of blending really showed off how well high rye and high wheat really work together. I love how opulent big wheat mashes sit on the palate but often times find that their finish can be a little short lived. On the other hand, high rye hangs on for ages. Both of those are preserved here with the nose opening big and bold, full of brown sugar, sweet cream, a prickle of pepper and a bold desserty character through and through. The palate is viscous and textured, it opens up nicely with gobs of sweet caramels, tobacco, honey, a touch of fig and berry, and rich vanilla cream. The high rye shows up, blending in cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of clove to balance and satisfying oaky tannin. The finish is long lived, blending sweet caramels and butter cream and waffle batter with clove and a dash of cinnamon. hangs on for ages.

Week 25 – NULU Toasted Four Grain r/Bourbon Private Selection Custom Blend

ABV: 59.3% ABV
Age: 5 Years (Blend of 5 and 6 year barrels)
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (NULU)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Label Strip on Bottle
Tasting Notes: Toasting typically introduces an extra dash of sweetness, and I’m thankful there’s a stiff 36% rye component here. This pour is on lock, starts rich and sweet like its predecessor, full of maple, sweet cream and honey. The palate is where the show unfolds: waffle batter, honey, vanilla cream and buttercream meet toasty oak: cinnamon, a hint of root beer, an extra dash of butter cream and a light mashmallow note. Toasting adds in a bit more sweet and savory oak rather than bitter, drying oak: the finish is full of brown sugar, sticky toffee, maple candies, sweet oak and funky rye spice, clove and currant.

Week 24: No Barrels – Summer Break

Week 23 – Stellum Spirits Perseus J6 Single Barrel, Barrel Proof, Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 57.57% ABV
Age: 5 Years, 6 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Barrell Craft Spirits)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon New Stellum Sticker on Bottle
Tasting Notes: Our first is this delicious 21% rye Perseus J6 release storms the yard with toffee, sweet cream, clove honey and beautiful richness on the nose: vanilla bean, sweet Werther’s caramels, a touch of butterscotch and sweet, fresh baked pastries. The palate has a moderate mouthfeel in terms of viscosity, the proof is uber sneaky. At the expense of some viscosity, this is one of the easiest drinking bourbon’s we’ve had in some time, perfect as the mercury climbs and the heat of summer arrives. Packed with sweet cream, honey, cola, a fizzle of blackberry and pleasant oakiness. Long finish, loaded with brown butter, sweet caramels, honey, a pop of root beer and apple butter.

Week 23 – Tumblin’ Dice 6yr Single Barrel Bourbon Short Barrel r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 58.99% ABV
Barrel: #126
Age: 6 Years, 3 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Mashbill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Proof & wood)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Label Strip on Bottle
Tasting Notes: Thick and rich, Tumblin’ has quickly become a favorite in this program for its combination of high rye richness, value and age. Our final hold out of 2022 its landed nicely featuring the 36% rye mashbill. The nose is all cola, maple, tobacco, big ginger and rye spice with notes of clove, nutmeg and cracked pepper. The palate leans rich and dense, chewy and viscous and loaded with tobacco, baking spice, sweet oak, creme brulee and caramelized sugars. The finish is long, favoring the brulee, barrel char, and caramelized sugars. A perfect sip for after dark.

Week 23 – Blue Note Uncut Single Barrel Bourbon “Soda Fountain Collection #3: Cherry Float” r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 61.80% ABV
Barrel: #18023
Age: 4 Years, 8 Months
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (Green River)
Bottling State: Tennessee, USA (Blue Note)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Label Strip on Bottle + Soda Fountain Collection Sticker
Tasting Notes: Bright and fruity up front, with cherry, cream, cola and a pop of maple and pepper. Sweet on the palate, full of life and texture, it’s creamy, easy drinking, sneaky crushable and full of the right balance of fruit, sweetness, oak and baking spice. It’s north of 60% ABV but you’d never know it neat. Finish is long and cola focused, lovely cherry combines with sweet oak, a touch of honey and a pop of candied ginger as it sets like the sun on a summer evening.

Week 22 – New Riff Single Barrel, Barrel Proof, Rye Whiskey r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 54.6% ABV
Age: 4 Years, 3 Months (Distilled January 2019, bottled March 2023)
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (New Riff)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (New Riff)
Mashbill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Rye
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Label Strip on Bottle
Tasting Notes: We sort of agonized over this selection – thankfully I was joined by three great redditors. There was a barrel in the mix that was very traditional rye, but it felt a little one noted and it had a crispy, sort of burnt wood finish. Another was a creamy rye that impressed but had so much ethanol to it, I wondered for a moment if I had accidentally had jalapenos for breakfast (I hadn’t). This cask was a beautiful, fruity rye on the nose and palate that turned into a long winded, brown butter, classic rye spice dream on the finish. The nose is all apple, pears, honey, baking spice, caramel candies and a pop of pepper. The palate is full of maple, brown butter, rich tobacco, a hint of sweet fruit and cream and then a long, bold finish. Really impressive viscosity and just the right amount of oak. Now I can make jokes about when we’ll get a 5yr, 6yr, 7yr to their staff next. I’m sure they’ll love it.

Week 22 – Blue Note Uncut Single Barrel Bourbon “Soda Fountain Collection #1: Blackberry Sparkler” r/Bourbon Private Selectionv

ABV: 61.65% ABV
Barrel: #18260
Age: 4 Years, 8 Months
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (Green River)
Bottling State: Tennessee, USA (Blue Note)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Price: $45.99
Yield: 166 Bottles
Retailer: SharedPour
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Label Strip on Bottle + Soda Fountain Collection Sticker
Tasting Notes: Sweet and creamy on the nose, these blue notes are always a treat. The profile on this single cask leans dark fruit, full of cola notes, sweet honey, butter cream, a touch of clove and timid oak. The palate is full of blackberry syrup, cassis, a pop of spicy pepper, jam and a hint of oak. These casks are high proof, with a fizzle of ethanol right on the back of your palate before the finish takes hold: sweet buttercream, jammy fruit, sweet cola and a lovely, long lasting, vanilla bean note. Step right up to the fountain.

Week 22 – Blue Note Uncut Single Barrel Bourbon “Soda Fountain Collection #2: Strawberry Smash” r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 62.35% ABV
Barrel: #17966
Age: 4 Years, 8 Months
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (Green River)
Bottling State: Tennessee, USA (Blue Note)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Label Strip on Bottle + Soda Fountain Collection Sticker
Tasting Notes: A lighter, creamier, driven profile this cask has less of that dark fruit note and more of a light, bright, creamy, strawberry preserve driven note. In Atlanta, there’s a Coca Cola museum that lets you try all sorts of soda’s from around the world, and this has a bright, strawberry fanta note that tickles my brain when I smell it. The palate dives into more classic bourbon undertones: vanilla bean, cola, caramelized sugar, pleasant pepper and tannin and laced with sweet strawberry and gentle, bright, fruits. Long finish that ends on a savory note with caramel, pepper, sweet oak and a final pop of fruity tart.

Week 22 – Nulu 6 Year Amburana Finished Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 57.1% ABV
Age: 6 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Nulu)
Mashbill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon Medallion on Bottle
Tasting Notes: This is a powerful whiskey if you’ve ever tasted one. Bold oak and spice start up front, heavy on the clove, nutmeg, baking spice and spicy ginger and pepper. The spices hold well on the nose, blending with pure cinnabon delight, brown sugar, maple, Christmas spices, plum, honey and rich, funky tobacco. The palate is rich and viscous, a pleasant combination of rich Amburana notes like cinnamon, maple, tobacco, baking spice and a hint of cream followed by pleasant tannins.

Week 21 – Dancing Goat & T8ke Present: A Wheated Welcome 8 Year Wheat Whiskey

ABV: 57.6% ABV
Age: 8 Years, 8 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Wisconsin, USA (Dancing Goat)
Mashbill: 95% Wheat, 5% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Fully Custom Bottle Art “A Wheated Welcome”, fully custom back quoting
Tasting Notes: Sweet and buttery, the inaugural cask features sweet caramel, clove honey, pancake syrup and soft, sweet oak. There’s a touch of pepper alongside the sweetness, pleasant baking spice, waffle cone and clove. The palate is viscous and favors sweetness over spice or dryness. The finish is long, full of flaky pastry, brown butter, savory tobacco and a pleasant combination of waffle cone and wafer candy. It’s light on tannin and it’s meant to be, brown sugar combines with well integrated ethanol for well proofed pour. Welcome to the wheat show.

Week 21 – Dancing Goat & T8ke Present: Older & Bolder 9 Year Wheat Whiskey

ABV: 61.8% ABV
Age: 9 Years, 5 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Wisconsin, USA (Dancing Goat)
Mashbill: 95% Wheat, 5% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloringvv
Labeling: Fully Custom Bottle Art “Older & Bolder”, fully custom back quoting
Tasting Notes: Older and bolder means what it says. This was the first single cask from the lot that made me say “we need to do something with this!”. This is where it all began. There’s a touch more oak, spice and candied ginger, a faint pop of tannin on the back palate. The nose in on brand, showing pancake syrup, brown sugar, pleasant tobacco, brown butter and clove. The finish is longer, leaning in with a touch of spice not found in Wheated Welcome.

Week 21 – NULU 7 Year Rye Experimental Cask Series Extended Apple Brandy Finish

ABV: 63.9% ABV
Age: 7 Years Initial Aging, 11 Months Copper & Kings Apple Brandy Cask Finish
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (NULU)
Mashbill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon On Bottle Medallion
Tasting Notes: Rye takes finishing so well, and it’s far from a secret these days. Produced from MGP’s 95% rye mashbill, the bold baking spice, pepper, clove, maple and sweet cream blend elegantly with hefty tannin, sweet oak, and notes of apple butter, warm cinnamon, caramel candies and a satisfying pop of acidity to balance it all out. The proof is up there here, bringing with it rich viscosity and adding layers and layers to the combination of savory rye and sweet, brown sugar, apple butter.

Week 21 – NULU 8 Year Bourbon Experimental Cask Series Apple Brandy Finish

ABV: 62% ABV
Age: 6yr initial aging, 2.5 year Copper & Kings Apple Brandy Cask Finish
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (NULU)
Mashbill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Customized r/Bourbon On Bottle Medallion
Tasting Notes: The nose on this barrel brings with it tons of maple, sweet cream, vanilla bean, peach cobber and warm apple crumble. The tannin shows through with more notes of baking spice: clove, nutmeg, a hint of cinnamon. Apple integrates well, showing plenty of oak dryness and pleasant complexity from the tannins. With as long as this finished, I’m thankful there’s a good deal of extra oak here, it’s holding together a really complex profile that needs dryness and structure to balance the heavy caramel and vanilla bean sweetness of the bourbon with the apple and savory baking spice profile of the brandy. The finish is incredible, its one of the longest finishes I’ve encountered on a bourbon and while most finishes remain a continuation of the palate of a bourbon, this one carries through more funky tobacco, rich maple, and apple notes that ebb and flow. I took home the last few ounces from our tasting earlier this week and have had a pour each night, and each night it’s a different, complex, evolution of maple, warm apple crisp, tobacco and savory baking spice. Unreal stuff and a big hats off to Nulu on this one.

Week 20 – WhistlePig 10 Year Single Cask, Cask Strength, Rye “Ryedration III” r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 52.8% ABV
Age: 10 Years, 6 Months
State of Distillation: Alberta
Bottling State: Vermont, USA (WhistlePig)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle + Ryedration III Custom Sticker
Tasting Notes: Big and bold returns once more with a profile driven by warm maple candies, tobacco, spice and clove. Plum, orange and berries combine with honey, funky rye, sweet buttercream, sweet pipe tobacco and pleasant oakiness. The palate is rich and layered, it’s got a pleasant viscosity at the proof and it closes out with bold tobacco, rye funk, sweet tea, clove and a dash of orange peel.

Week 20 – “The Representative” Single Barrel, Barrel Proof, Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 56.47% ABV
Age: 4 Years, 10 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Proof & Wood)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle + Ryedration III Custom Sticker
Tasting Notes: The nose is pure praline and warm caramel, brown butter and honey. The palate evolves into apple butter, warm baking spice, cinnamon bun filling and a big maple note. Medium tannin influence, I liked this barrel in the batch for its integration of sweetness and viscosity on the palate without dumping in any bitterness or cinnamon in with the tannin. Palate is rich and buttery, finish is long and honey, toffee and maple driven once more. One dash of cherry bitters, one dash of black walnut bitters and a bar spoon of dark simple or maple and your spring old fashioned is perfect.

Week 19 – Copper Sky Wheated Bourbon Single Barrel r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 54.4% ABV
Age: 4 Years, 9 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Colorado, USA (Copper Sky)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle (round medallion)
Tasting Notes: Thick and rich, dense on the nose and palate. The color on this whiskey tells a lot of stories as well. Rich and chewy, this single barrel is full of caramel, honey, sweet buttercream, a waffle batter and ginger snap dessert character on the palate. The finish is long, impressively desserty with the introduction of sweet oak, a touch of drying baking spice and tannin. I’m confident these are drinking well beyond their age, and could quickly mature to unseat our popular Old Elk wheated bourbons in popularity.

Week 19 – Starlight Double Oaked Bourbon Single Barrel r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 113.8pf
Age: 4 Years, 6 Months initial aging, 6mo double oak finish
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Bottling State: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Bold and rich on the nose, full of tobacco, orange peel, wafer cookies, sweet cream, a touch of marshmallow and butter scotch. The palate is full and rich, layered with impressive viscosity, the creaminess and tobacco from the nose translates to vanilla bean, a drizzle of butterscotch, rich tobacco and raisin bread on the palate and a long, drying finish with bold cocoa, a touch of butter cream and caramel candies. This whiskey also stands up to bitters with impressive competency – it’s perfect with a dash of black walnut bitters for a perfect old fashioned.

Week 19 – Starlight Extended Finished Rye VDN Finish Single Barrel r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 108.6pf
Age: 5 Years initial aging, 14mo VDN finish
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Bottling State: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: The nose is heavy rye with a touch of orange peel. It reminds me of some of my favorite Russell’s ryes in that it weaves together maple, rich rye grain, and a touch of orange peel. The rye commands the nose, letting the wine peek through at times. The palate is viscous and complex, rye forward at first, giving way after a moment on your palate to orange peel, honey, a touch of clove, a hint of apple, fig, currant, and a hint of cinnamon. The barrel char steps in as the sweetness blossoms, and there’s some tannin on your back palate that keeps the whiskey dry and balanced. I notice the ethanol far less on this barrel compared to our other two, and the finish carries long and intense, full of honey, orange peel, a pleasant tannic dryness and a pop of ginger, cocoa and butter cream as the finish sneaks away.

Week 19 – Starlight Honey Finished Bourbon Single Barrel r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 107pf
Age: 4 Years, 6 Months initial aging, 7mo Honey finish
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Bottling State: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: The nose is full of honey, dry oak, baking spice and a pop of fruit: apple, pear, peach, honey and a hint of cherry. The sweetness on the nose carries into the pallet, moderate viscosity meets clove, baking spice, sweet honey, stewed apples and a buttery caramel character. The finish shines for this whiskey: long and decadent, the viscosity carries even as it dilutes on your pallet, closing out with honey, buttery toffee, caramels, toasted pecan and beautiful maple, barrel char, and clove. I find the texture to be natural, the sweetness to be balanced and the ease of drinking to be dangerous.

Week 18 – New Riff Single Barrel #15266 Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 54.4% ABV
Age: 4 Years, 5 Months (11/2018, 3/2023
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (New Riff)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (New Riff)
Barrel: #15266
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: A synthesis of fruit and spice, this bourbon reminds me starkly of warm apple butter, brown sugar, maple and all the great parts of a home made apple pie. The nose combines warm pastry, clover honey, a touch of nutmeg and cinnamon, rich maple and a warm, brown butter richness. The palate is soft at first, light on oak, and grows in body and dryness as you sip. Heavy on maple, fuji apple, a touch of vanilla bean ice cream and a nougaty texture on the palate. Finish is long, a touch drying, pleasant and full of sweet oak and brown sugar.

Week 18 – Dancing Goat 7 Year Single Barrel Limousin Rye #8303 r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 56.4% ABV
Age: 7 Years (using old label 6yr label)
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Wisconsin, USA (Dancing Goat)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: Punchy on the nose, this rye combines sweet maple, a touch of orange peel, bold clove and spice and a touch of funk for an enticing nose. The palate is soft and layered, “pillowy” to borrow a tasting note a friend once threw out. It’s really impressive how layered and silky it is, while remaining easy to drink. Palate is full of honey, orange peel, a touch of cherry and berry, with a long, baking spice finish.

Week 18 – Dancing Goat 7 Year Single Barrel Limousin Rye Jamaican Rum Finish #7822 r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 55.7% ABV
Age: 7 Years (new label finally here!!) aging and 6mo in Jamaican Rum barrel
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Wisconsin, USA (Dancing Goat)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: Many of you know my love for rum, as evidenced by last week’s single cask rum. This week we see a combination of well aged rye, finished in bright and vivacious Jamaican rum casks. The nose is funky and rich, packed with brown sugar, bright clove, a touch of candied ginger, layers of sweet oak and toffee and a pop of tropical fruit. The palate is rich and layered, full of honey, baking spice, orange peel and a sweet, well developed, combo of oak and light fruitiness. Cherry, orange, mango, passionfruit all bubble up with a long finish thats bright and anything but dank.

Dancing Goat 6 Year High Rye #6922 Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 57.6% ABV
Age: 6 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Wisconsin, USA (Dancing Goat)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: Sweet on the nose, this bourbon has plenty of rich maple and cookie dessert notes to it. It reminds me of a wafer cookie mixed with a waffle cone. There’s a pleasant amount of oak, great structure and lots of balance: sweet oak and dry tannins balance out sweet maple, bold tobacco, waffle cone and a dash of pepper.

Week 17 – WhistlePig 10 Year Single Cask #173964 Cask Strength Rye r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 53.1% ABV
Age: 10 Years
State of Distillation: Alberta
Bottling State: Vermont, USA (WhistlePig)
Mashbill: 100% Rye
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: Peppy and full of flavor, this nose is packed with maple, orange peel, sweet cream, a pop of herbal rye spice and big, big, big caramel. The palate has plenty of oak structure without leaning dry and tannic, blending nicely with sweet cream, a robust salted caramel note, orange peel and orange bitters, toffee and a lovely touch of tobacco on the back palate. Long finish, more sweet than spicy, with caramel, clove, orange peel and a hint of brown butter rolling off.

Week 17 – Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Rye r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 57.5% ABV
Age: 6 Years 10 Months (March 4th, 2016 – Jan 2023)
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (Knob Creek)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Knob Creek)
Info: Proofed to 115pf, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: A yin to our WhistlePig’s yang, this rye leans all maple all day with big, rich, sweetness and a healthy helping of oak. Sweet maple, pound cake, caramels, a hint of cocoa and espresso and classic toasted oak combine for a decadent palate. Long finish that’s full and rich, packed with rye spice, a pop of candied ginger, then back into dessert once again. I find that I never mind Knob Creek Bourbon at 120pf, and the same goes for their rye at 115pf. It’s viscous, well textured and drinks almost too easily despite being well north of 100pf. These barrels continue to be a killer intersection of value and quality, and Beam’s rye is killer.

Week 17 – Barrell Craft Spirits Private Release Ratafia de Champagne Finish r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 63% ABV
Age: Blend of 14-18yr Indiana and Kentucky whiskey finished in Ratafia de Champagne casks
State of Distillation: Various
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Barrell Craft Spirits)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: Impressively rich on the nose once more, this sweet dessert delight is packed with fig jam, honey, plum reduction, sweet caramel candies and a rich, creamy note. The palate is viscous, layered, full of life. I appreciate the gentle integration of tannin on these older, IN/KY blends of American whiskey and they make for a perfect canvas for finishing. The RdC shines one again, layering in sweetness, a hint of oak, rich praline, creme brulee and a touch more fig jam. Lovely stuff.

Week 17 – New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 107.2pf
Age: 4 Years, 4 Months (December 2017 – April 2022)
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (New Riff)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (New Riff)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: Quintessential New Riff, I’m always impressed at how well these drink at 4-5 years old. There’s plenty of well integrated tannin and they never taste young, green or ‘off’. Rich fuji apple meets caramel and toffee on the nose. Rich fudge on the palate opens up to a surprisingly layered whiskey: caramel, sweet oak, a touch of tobacco, more fuji apple and sweet cream. That pleasant pop of acidity helps balance the sweetness of the desserts and the finish carries long and pleasant, a fusion of dessert and touch of apple pie: sweet brown sugar, flaky pastry, stewed apples and a hint of clove.

Week 16 – Old Elk 7 Year Single Barrel Wheated Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 59.1% ABV
Age: 7 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Colorado, USA (Old Elk)
Mashbill: 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: This barrel reminds me starkly of #8198 from the Cosmic Wheat art series, full of caramels, honey, sweet cream and opulent sweetness. Maple, tobacco, brown butter, creme brulee and a hint of barrel char and caramelized sugars. Lovely, sweet oak across the palate and all the way through the finish, some days I wonder if I need any other wheated bourbons than these 7yr lots of 45% wheat bourbons. Long finish full of maple, cream, faint char and satisfying tannin.

Week 16 – Driftless Glen 7 Year Single Barrel Rye Whiskey r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 61% ABV
Age: 7 Years
State of Distillation: Wisconsin, USA (Driftless Glen)
Bottling State: Wisconsin, USA (Driftless Glen)
Mashbill: 60% Rye, 20% Caramel Malt, 20% Malt
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: Fabulous, funky, rich, this rye from Driftless marries beautiful oak, complex rye spice and a fat, creamy, sweetness with a touch of espresso. The nose is all sweetness and rich maple at first, giving way to a silky, viscous palate. It’s almost scary just how well these drink for 60% ABV, the palate is laded with rich, funky rye notes: tobacco, cracked pepper, orange peel, a hint of maple, touch of cherry and blackberry, a pop of clove. The finish is long, the espresso pops here combining oak, baking spice, maple, funky rye and barrel char. Just lovely.

Week 16 – Woodinville Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 57.69% ABV
Age: 5 Years
State of Distillation: Washington State, USA (Woodinville)
Bottling State: Washington State, USA (Woodinville)
Mashbill: 72% Corn, 22% Rye, 6% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: Woodinville has an iconic profile for me – oddly they’re one of the few producers I can typically guess blind. This barrel builds on the combination of fruit, baking spice, savory sweetness of last year from that awesome pot still distillation. Rich and powerful on the nose, this is loaded with strawberry cream, blackberry, raspberry and cocoa, toffee, salted caramel and sweet maple. The palate is rich, there’s a great combination of oakiness, sweet caramel and toffee, light barrel char and pepper,

Week 16 – Woodinville Single Barrel Rye Whiskey r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 57.50% ABV
Age: 5 Years
State of Distillation: Washington State, USA (Woodinville)
Bottling State: Washington State, USA (Woodinville)
Mashbill: 100% Rye
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: I tried a number of samples that leaned hot, spicy, herbal-y, peppery. I like that in a rye, but too much ginger is too much. My favorite cask of the bunch ended up being a sweet, honey forward, baking spice machine that’s loaded with orange peel, sweet butterscotch, a touch of pound cake, confectioners, a zip of pepper and that fruity sweetness I often find in Russell’s Rye. For 100% rye, this doesn’t punch you square in the face like our recent Dad’s Hat, it’s a subtler combination of sweetness, light and pleasant tannin, and lovely fruits. Orange peel, brown sugar, caramels and a long, decadent finish see this rare find out. There’s no herbal mintiness, dill or vinegar notes, it’s all maple and lovely orange and clove on its way out of town.

Week 16 – Rolling Fork “The Lost Cask” 19 Year Guyana Rum t8ke Private Selection

ABV: 55.10% ABV
Age: 19 Years
State of Distillation: Guyana, South American (Diamond Distillery, Port Mourant)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: I’m a big fan of Guyana. So much so, I passed over every Foursquare in the bunch. This rum lives for balance, taking sweet and funky fruits like passonfruit, mango, pineapple, oranges and limes and combining it with honeycomb, pleasant but not overbearing cask influence and a rich mouthfeel. Layers of fruit and sweetness are balanced by a touch of pepper and light rum funk. This isn’t a ripper like an ester bomb Jamaican, it’s inviting, sweet, complex, fruit forward and that touch of complexity from funk rolls in on the finish. At 55% it’s an easy sipper neat, great in a classic daquiri as the weather warms and I used it in place of whiskey for an old fashioned and loved how the profile and identity of this rum worked with light sugar and bitters over a big cube. At 19 years old, it’s complex and balanced while peeling back the curtain to a world of lovely, tropical, flavor.

Week 15 – Balcones True Blue Cask Strength Corn Whiskey r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 68.3% ABV
Age: 5 Years, 2 months (62 Months)
State of Distillation: Texas, USA (Balcones)
Mashbill: 100% Blue Corn
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: Rich and powerful on the nose, this bottling is full of creme brulee, sweet honey, corn sweetness and well developed tannin. It’s complex, well developed, punchy and rich on the palate, this ABV is no joke but it’s backed up with the viscosity and oak structure, paired with sweet corn, honey, vanilla bean and custard to make it a decadent sip. It’s unreal just how much flavor this bottling carries, and it’s finish is my favorite part: long and full of layers, starting with gentle heat, transitioning to rich and buttery sweetness and a final, drying bit of oak and baking spice to make room for the next sip.

Week 15 – Balcones Single Malt Whiskey r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 65.6% ABV
Age: 4 Years 8 Months (56 Months)
State of Distillation: Texas, USA (Balcones)
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: While most of our single malt in the program is coming from the Pacific Northwest, this release is a banner bottling, demonstrating that like corn and rye, where you make it matters just as much as what you make it from. A malt bomb through and through, this reminds me of 2022’s Westward dialed way up. Rich and chewy, syrupy and flavor packed, this release is all cocoa, espresso, jam and sticky caramels, brown butter and a touch of raisin richness. Impressively rich on the palate, it’s well beyond what you’d expect malt could deliver, with a rich, sticky pudding texture and the best parts of pipe tobacco, cinnamon roll and maple combined. If there’s one bottle outside your wheelhouse to give a shot this year, it’s this one. I’d love to know how you enjoy this one compared to our recent Westlands, etc.

Week 15 – Starlight Single Barrel Bourbon Champagne Wine Finish r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 52.25% ABV
Age: 5 Years Initial Aging, 6 Months Champagne Wine Barrel Aging
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (Starlight)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: Beautiful and rich on the nose, the extra age helps the base bourbon here with lovely caramel candies, fresh rising bread and pastries, honey and a touch of char and maple. The champagne finish imparts a pleasant creme brulee note, light sweetness and a complexity on the palate full of flaky pastry, a touch of stone fruit and the lightest touch of toast. The finish is long and complex, weaving together the bourbon’s oak, baking spice and sweetness with the round profile of champagne, incorporating more fruits, creme brulee, honey and satisfying pastry.

Week 15 – Starlight Single Barrel Bourbon Madeira Wine Finish r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 54.65% ABV
Age: 5 Years Initial Aging, 7 Months Madeira Barrel Aging
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (Starlight)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: Rich on the nose, cherry, apricot and fresh honey combine with baking spice, clove and a kiss of oak tannin. Jammy up front, the sweetness gives way to a richer profile with baking spice, tannin and a touch of cocoa bringing things to balance. The palate is rich with a surprisingly veiled ABV – 109 is a touch high for Starlight releases, but you’d never know it blind. Vanilla bean, light honey, clove and blackberry blend with sweet oak, satisfying red fruits like raspberry, blackberry, currant and a pop of fresh acidity. Faint tartness on the finish gives way to caramel, creme brulee and a light custard note for a long, satisfying finish.

Week 14 – Driftless Glen Exclusive Cask Series: Pineaues des Charantes I Single Barrel Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 59% ABV
Age: 4 Years 6 Months Initial Aging 53 Gallon New Charred American Oak, 270 Days Pineau de Charantes Finish
State of Distillation: Wisconsin, USA (Driftless Glen)
Mashbill: 60% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Butter cream and barrel char greet you on the nose, full of caramel, pound cake, nougat and a touch of tobacco. The Pineau influence is evident through a developed structure of rich berry: currant, blackberry, dark morello cherries and some faint espresso and cocoa. The palate is viscous and rich, short of syrupy but plenty of viscous character to spread across the palate. Long finish that integrates char, cream and deep, dark blackberries. Delectable.

Week 14 – Driftless Glen Exclusive Cask Series: Sauternes II Single Barrel Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

Chapter 3 of this project repeats the finish of our first release as an experiment to demonstrate what different finishing times do to a base spirit while being overlooked closely. This is the last Sauternes in the Exclusive Cask Series for bourbon, and it’s a delightful treat for fans who enjoyed the first release as well.

ABV: 53% ABV
Age: 4 Years 6 Months Initial Aging 53 Gallon New Charred American Oak, 273 Days Sauternes Finish
State of Distillation: Wisconsin, USA (Driftless Glen)
Mashbill: 60% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: The second Sauternes release develops pleasantly on the foundation laid by the first. With an extra 10 weeks in Sauternes, the big, rich, wine notes continue to develop while more tannin works into the whiskey. Honey, caramel candies, sweet pear and apple, a touch of ginger, lovely buttercream and a touch of creme brulee and warm pastry develop with more sweet oak and a softening of the ABV. Rich pound cake, this embodies the lovely citrus + sweet + brulee notes I love in a great Sauternes, and it drinks incredibly rich and easy. The viscosity is rich and viscous, the proof hides behind the buttercream and brulee. Indulgent, to say the least.

Week 14 – Old Hamer 99% Corn Single Barrel Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Program Release

ABV: 59.1% ABV
Age: 4 Years 6 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Mashbill: 99% Corn, 1% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Medallion
Tasting Notes: It’s been almost 6 months since we did a Barrell Craft spirits 99% corn, and I love how this mashbill presents. Punchy at first on the nose, this is all corn all day, full of toffee, sweet caramel, nougat and sweet honey, the deluge of majority corn is evident. Oak is beginning to develop, but this is no dry, tannin bomb. It’s not young or youthful, the corn is doing more guiding than the oak and tannin are, and this caramel bomb is full of caramelized sugars, toffee and cream. Long finish, this drinks bold and layered on the palate, and it’ll sneak up on you at almost 60% ABV.

Week 14 – The Wild Wild Westland Shuffle

These six casks range from 30 bottles to 200+ bottle yields and were all picked at Westland in 2022 back in May. They are finally ready. Each of these was distilled from 100% American malted barley from farmers close to the distillery in the Pacific Northwest, malted at Skagit Valley Malting and matured in Westland’s warehouses. These feature some amazing finishing times, the shortest being 3 years, and the longest being shy of 6 years.

Cask #3788 – 7 Year Port Finished American Single Malt r/Bourbon Private Selection

Age: 7 Years
Finish Type: Port
ABV: 51.6%
Length Of Finish: 5.6yr Finish
Yield: 90 Bottles
What In The Fresh Hell Is Port: Port is a fortified wine from Portugal, produced in the Douro valley.
Tasting Notes: Bold malt character and sweet maple meet rich blackberry, caramel, espresso and vibrant cherry reduction with a faint touch of balsamic reduction on the back palate.

Cask #4859 – 7 Year Moscatel Finished American Single Malt r/Bourbon Private Selection

Age: 7 Years
Finish Type: Moscatel
ABV: 52.6%
Length Of Finish: 4yr 2mo Finish
Yield: 282 Bottles
What In The Fresh Hell Is Moscatel: Moscatel is a type of sherry (dessert wine) that is fortified and hails from Spain, particularly the Navarre region. This is the under-the-radar finish I hope whiskey drinkers see more of in 2023, even if it means I have to do it myself.
Tasting Notes: Rich cocoa and well structured tannin, pepper and clove meet the well developed creme brulee, slightly nutty, toffee driven profile of this Moscatel Malt. Sweet dessert, pleasant tannins, wine sweetness and rich malt make the perfect partners here.

Cask #6059 – 7 Year Maple Wood Finished American Single Malt r/Bourbon Private Selection

Age: 7 Years
Finish Type: Maple Wood
ABV: 51.5%
Length Of Finish: 3 Year Finish
Yield: 59 Bottles
What In The Fresh Hell Is Maple Wood: Maple wood barrels are barrels made from wood sourced from Maple Trees. Don’t confuse these for maple syrup barrels! There is one, notably large, distillery in the Southeast USA who uses Maple Barrels for a number of products.
Tasting Notes: Well developed malt meets light, sweet tannins thanks to maple wood. Honey roasted pecans is the profile that jumps out to me, combining sweet cream, a touch of dry oak, some honey and flaky pastry, with a long, peppery finish.

Cask #6063 – 7 Year Maple Wood Finished American Single Malt r/Bourbon Private Selection

Age: 7 Years
Finish Type: Maple Wood
ABV: 52.1%
Length Of Finish: 3 Year Finish
Yield: 32 Bottles
What In The Fresh Hell Is Maple Wood: Maple wood barrels are barrels made from wood sourced from Maple Trees. Don’t confuse these for maple syrup barrels! There is one, notably large, distillery in the Southeast USA who uses Maple Barrels for a number of products.
Tasting Notes: Much like 6059, this honey drizzled sweet cream driven cask brings in more oak, ginger, clove for a balanced malt bomb that leans baking spice.

Cask #6143 – 7 Year Pineau des Charantes Finished American Single Malt r/Bourbon Private Selection

Age: 7 Years
Finish Type: Pineau
ABV: 51.5%
Length Of Finish: Finish Time: 3 Year Finish
Yield: 220 Bottles
What In The Fresh Hell Is Pineau: Pineau des Charantes is a fortified wine produced from a blend of unfermented or lightly fermented grapes fortified with eau de vie and then matured in barrels. In other words, it’s what I dream about at night.
Tasting Notes: It’s incredible how opulent Pineau de Charantes can be when in the mix with the right amount of malt and tannin. Bold and syrupy up front, this whiskey has chew and richness like our 2022 Westward, with layer after layer on the palate. The palate is creme brulee, sweet tobacco, a touch of cream and opulent red berries: cherry, blueberry, blackberry and syrupy currant. The finish is Luxardo cherry syrup in the most natural way. A manhattan richness makes me wonder if this could be the malt for the bar mat. We’ll find out soon.

Cask #6257 – 7 Year Banyuls Finished American Single Malt r/Bourbon Private Selection

Age: 7 Years
Finish Type: Banyuls
ABV: 51.4%
Length Of Finish: 3 Year Finish
Yield: 220 Bottles
What In The Fresh Hell Is Banyuls: “Banyuls is a French appellation d’origine contrôlée for a fortified apéritif or dessert wine made from old vines cultivated in terraces on the slopes of the Catalan Pyrenees in the Roussillon county of France, bordering, to the south, the Empordà wine region in Catalonia in Spain.” (thanks, Wikipedia!)
Tasting Notes: Banyuls, oh sweet sweet Banyuls. This was the first cask selected of the day and it was nearly love at first taste. I try to never impulsively pick barrels on a sip alone, but this challenged my resolve. Beautiful warm bread, malt, cocoa, caramelized sugar and sweet oak on the nose. The palate is rich and full of a blossom of orange peel, fresh red cherries, blackberries, leather, expressive tannin and a pop of black pepper and spice, Long finish winds together viscosity, sweet cherry reduction, blackberry syrup, a pop of decadent balsamic and a finish that carries for miles.

Week 13 – Proof Rye r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 62% ABV
Age: 7 Years
State of Distillation: Wisconsin, USA (Driftless Glen)
Bottling State: Wisconsin, USA (Driftless Glen)
Info: #1649, Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring, 53 Gallon Barrel
Mashbill: 60% Rye, 20% Caramel Malt, 20% Brewers Malt
Yield: 72 Bottles [Short Barrel]
Tasting Notes: It’s still crazy to me that we’re talking about Rye over 7 years old from Driftless. As their distillate has developed and continued to age, it’s picking up a beautiful oak structure with layers of subtly integration barrel char that works so well. The nose on this rye is full of maple, sweet doughnut glaze, caramel candies and a pop of rye spice. The palate is rich and viscous, with a silky texture the betrays the proof a bit – I still place these in the 55% range blind. Caramel candies, cocoa, chocolate covered cherries, rye bread, a touch of ginger and a pop of clove come together for a decadent palate. Long finish that eases out slowly, driven by barrel char, root beer and toffee.

Week 13 – Driftless Glen 7yr6mo Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 62.5% ABV
Age: 7 Years
State of Distillation: Wisconsin, USA (Driftless Glen)
Bottling State: Wisconsin, USA (Driftless Glen)
Info: #2041, Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring, 53 Gallon Barrel
Mashbill: 60% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley
Tasting Notes: Caramel, honey, cherry, orange. I was tempted to just stop the notes there, but that’s no tasting. This bourbon is big and bright, using the extra oak to balance mouthfeel and finish and display a richer, fruitier bourbon that is less driven by maple and caramelized sugars and more driven by luxardo cherry, bright orange peel, baking spice like clove, pepper, a hint of cinnamon. Long finish full of creme brulee, vanilla bean, creme brulee, rich cherry and honey once more. The oak shows through here and there, with a great texture on the palate thats complex and easy drinking.

Week 13 – Dancing Goat 6 Year Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 55.3% ABV
Age: 6 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Wisconsin, USA (Dancing Goat)
Info: #6988, Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Tasting Notes: Brown butter returns with a peppery alter ego, this barrel is all about a punchy nose and spicy approach with a smooth, velvety, viscous palate that leans into dessert’o’clock. Pepper, candied ginger, a touch of cinnamon and clove greet you on the nose. The palate is sticky and rich, layered with brown butter, caramel, pralines and a touch of tobacco. Long finish, sweet and dessert forward all the way through with a pinch of cinnamon on its way out.

Week 13 – Laphroaig 8 Year Virgin Oak Heavy Toast Single Cask “Jay West & Nick Conti” Private Selection

This is it. After a year of waiting, the cask is ready. For those of you who don’t know, I flew to Scotland last March to select one of the inaugural single barrels from Laphroaig.

This barrel is sentimental to me beyond it’s taste alone. I got into whiskey years back writing a little here and there, hoping that by the time I retired I had learned enough and done enough to maybe retire and work at a whiskey bar or something, to keep busy and stay out of trouble. When I got there, I’d buy a cask of laphroaig to celebrate retirement. Clearly, things have moved a bit ahead of that pacing. I stood on the shores of Islay at 29 years old, blessed with the incredible privilege to make that dream a reality, many years sooner.

This cask is matured entirely in a Virgin heavy toasted Oak barrel, which is a maturation you can’t find anywhere else in their portfolio. They’ve done ex-bourbon, they’ve done PX and Oloroso and all of those cask types were available to pick from, as well. But, this cask stood out to both Nick and I through every tasting, and we knew it was ours. It’s the only 750ml bottling they did for private cask, period. Every other release for the US has been 700ml. No shrinkflation here.

You can read all about the trip in the 7 part (plus bonus) series: The Road To Laphroaig on Raiders.

ABV: 57.9% ABV
Age: 8 Years (Distilled 2014, Bottled 2022)
State of Distillation: Isle of Islay, Scotland (Laphroaig)
Bottling State: Isle of Islay, Scotland (Laphroaig)
Info: #1606, 2014 Vintage, Virgin Oak Heavy Toast Maturation, Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: “Jay West & Nick Conti”, Custom Box, custom label
Tasting Notes: The nose swings in with lemon custard, sticky pudding, rising biscuits. Warm, flaky pastry pair with damp air, powerful brine and a touch of maritime funk. The peat is brine first, iodine and medicinal funk second. Sweet, decadent, inviting. On the palate, the cask is rich and honey forward, packed with slate, pepper, some more peat smoke. Ash and salinity pair together, settled nicely against the pop of citrus from the lemon custard note on the nose. After some time on the palate, the smoke gives way to more honey, baked pastry, some vanilla and apple peel. Then, the smoke returns. Aggressive, powerful, unrelenting. The finish is long, carries for a good, long while, marrying sweet buttercream, baked apples and lemon curd with slate, salinity, ashy smoke, a touch of maritime air and a powerful, carrying, creaminess on the back of your palate. Unlike any Frog I’ve ever had, I couldn’t be more satisfied.

Week 12 – Luca Mariano 7 Year 7 Month Wilderness Trail Bourbon Single Barrel #22 r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 123.8pf | 61.9% ABV
Age: 7 Years, 7 Months, 10 Days
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (Wilderness Trail)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Luca Mariano)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Barrel #22 is really similar to barrel #21, so it’s no surprise I selected it as well. Lacking the baking spices, it substitutes cinnamon and clove for waffle cone and a more caramel forward palate. Sweet maple on the nose, light oak, butterscotch and a touch of tobacco pop right away. Palate is rich and layered once again, full of maple, well developed tannin, pie crust and waffle cone, wafer cookie and a long, drying, bold finish. Whew.

Old Elk 9yr Straight Wheat Whiskey Single Barrel, Barrel Proof r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 59.4% ABV
Age: 9 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Colorado, USA (Old Elk)
Info: #987, Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Creme brulee emanates once again, packed with butterscotch and maple on the nose. The palate dives deep, full of barrel char, sweet oak, a butter cream note and tons of honey, molasses and some faint cola. There’s a bit more oak on the palate to this one, a pinch of cinnamon and baking spice to balance, and the finish dives deep once again: packed full of maple, honey, sweet caramel character and a long, soft finish. I love how the overwhelmingly high wheat content plays with the oak integration for a bold, rich, but not drying/overpowering/bitter/cinnamon bomb finish. The year of wheat is here, gang.

Week 12 – Driftless Glen 7yr6mo Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 62.5% ABV
Age: 7 Years, 6 Months
State of Distillation: Wisconsin, USA (Driftless Glen)
Bottling State: Wisconsin, USA (Driftless Glen)
Info: #900, Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring, 53 Gallon Barrel
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Love at first sniff, this root beer cherry bomb is laced with cocoa and packed with char, toffee, and a touch of espresso. Viscous on the palate, it’s bold, punchy and char driven, with strong, developed oak structure, pralines, caramel candies, a touch of baking spice and a gargantuan molasses spine. Long finish, it carries impressively with the generous proof and ends in a viscous, chewy, root beer and toffee bomb.

Week 12 – George Dickel “9 Year” Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 50% ABV
Age: “9 Years” (Barreled 3.25.2008, Bottled Jan 2023 – 14 Years 9 Mo old!)
State of Distillation: Tennessee, USA (George Dickel
Bottling State: Tennessee, USA (George Dickel)
Info: , Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Driven by oak, orange, vanilla bean and butterscotch, this faux 9yr release is everything fans of Dickel will love, and everything needed to convert the unbelieving. A bouquet of honey, apples, oranges, red berries and a touch of minerality combine for an enticing nose. The palate is full and velvety in texture, drinks pleasantly at a round 50% ABV with plenty of oak to carry but not too much to be oak driven. Caramel and graham cracker blend with the fruitiness from the nose to display a balanced profile on the palate with a long, dry finish that incorporates a touch more oak and caramel, letting the fruits remain on the palate.

Week 12 – Rossville Union Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

Our first Rossville Union Rye, it’s nice to have some rye from MGP themselves, bringing forth a great value along with great flavor, and a look at their different mashbills. This particular barrel is using their experimental mashbill, rather than their typical 95/5 mashbill. This barrel is produced using 51% Rye, 45% Corn, 4% Malted Barley.

ABV: 54.1% ABV
Age: 6 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Info: , Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: I’ve been looking forward to Rossville for sometime, and it’s cool that they have a number of mashbills in their program. This 51% rye is soft and buttery on the nose, full of rye bread, sweet cream, a pop of spice and clove, with a pinch of pepper and ginger. The palate softenes nicely, there’s a moderate to low amount of dry oak, replaced instead with sweet creme brulee, spicy rye, a touch of apple bake, nougat and sweet oak. My favorite part is the finish, combining some sweet caramel and blackberry with spicy pepper, ginger and a kiss of rye bread. Overall, this is a unique rye, and a fun look at MGP’s other strengths in production, combined with a great value.

Week 11 – Chicken Cock 7yr Single Barrel Barrel Proof Kentucky Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 115.1pf | 57.55% ABV
Age: 7 Years
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (Sazerac)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Chicken Cock)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: A familiar profile jumps out right away – this reminds me of some of my favorite full proof releases from barton in the past, with a touch more oak. Bold and rich on the nose, this is full of maple, cocoa, espresso, luxardo cherry, a touch of blackberry and a slap of oak. The palate is punchy and bright, full of caramel, oak, salted caramel, cherry cordials, dark chocolate and a pinch of pepper. Despite being lower proof than Full Proof, I find it a good deal richer, syrupy and saddled with a slap of tannin and baking spice. Finish is long and fades gently, cherry, waffle cone, wafer cookie and rich baking spice see this pour out.

Week 11 – Tumblin’ Dice 7yr Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 115.52pf | 57.76% ABV
Age: 7 Years, 1 Month, 14 Days
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Tumblin’ Dice)
Mashbill: 36% Rye | 60% Corn, 4% Malted Barley
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Graham cracker and bright fruits dance from first sniff: I love the cobbler notes I see to get from Tumblin’s stocks: blackberry, peach, blueberry and honey mingle with a cobbler dessert note and a fat, buttery texture that’s silky and satisfying on the palate. Picking up an extra proof point or so, this single barrel is full of maple on the palate, blended well with bold baking spice, honey, stewed peaches and apples and a dark blueberry / blackberry note. Long finish, moderate oakiness, loaded with brown butter and a touch of pecan.

Week 11 – Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

Our next Knob Creek is finally here and it’s a standalone bourbon, selected last fall. This barrel is at least 9 years old. I could probably get away with calling it a 10 year barrel, but I don’t have insight into when in Jan it was bottled, and it grinds my gears when folks round up their age statements on picks. So, enjoy this killer 9yr 11mo straight bourbon from Knob Creek.

ABV: 120pf | 60% ABV
Age: 9 Years, 11 Months (could be 10 years, but tough to tell, it’s best to be safe)
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (Beam)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Beam)
Info: Proofed to 120pf Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Punchy and dry on the nose, this peanut brittle bomb has a good deal of nuttiness, caramel, creme brulee and caramelized sugar on the nose. The beam profile is unmistakeable on the palate, a solid stack of peanut brittle, caramel, light cocoa, caramelized sugar and a fun punch of oak and honey. Long finish, this release stays solidly in its lane: dessert and baking spice all day long.

Week 11 – NULU 6 Year Toasted Bourbon Experimental Apple Brandy Finish r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 122.8pf | 60% ABV
Age: 6 Years (plus 14mo Apple Brandy Finish)
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (NULU)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: I’ve been looking forward to this release since first taste: it’d be easy to suspect this drinks like an apple bake, and you’d be spot on. Bold maple, baking spice, clove, honey and brown butter on the nose mingles with apple, a faint touch of cinnamon, caramel and bright fruits on the nose. The palate is viscous and rich, baking spice, maple, caramel blend with sweet apple, flaky pastry and butterscotch. Pleasant finish that blends savory spice with satisfying sweetness – it’s a brown sugar apple bake experience from tip to tale. Think Fuji apples and brown butter. MMmmmm.

Week 11 – NULU 6 Year Bourbon Experimental Maple Finish r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 58% ABV | 116pf
Age: 6 Years (plus 6mo Maple Finish)
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (NULU)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: This bold, spicy, bourbon takes on maple like a champ – my favorite of the bunch. Our past Starlight Maple leaned very much towards the maple finish – this whiskey is bold and structured, taking sweetness hand in hand from start to finish. The nose is bold, oaky, clove forward with layers of maple, tobacco, sweet oak and a pinch of pepper. The palate is bold and chewy, the proof here drives the palate nicely, balancing dry oak, bold baking spice, sweet maple and a drizzle of honey, berry, vanilla bean and toffee. Tip of the hat to NULU on keeping this barrel balanced and enjoyable at every turn.

Week 10 – Luca Mariano 7 Year 7 Month Wilderness Trail Bourbon Single Barrel #21 r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 122.83pf | 61.415% ABV
Age: 7 Years, 7 Months, 10 Days
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (Wilderness Trail)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (Luca Mariano)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Baked apples, caramel and waffle cone drive the profile of this bottling. On the nose it’s packed with nougat, layers of caramel and brown butter, sweet oak and caramel. A light touch of coffee, bold maple and butterscotch layer on the palate. Mouthfeel is rich and there’s plenty of oak, it drinks with a maturity I don’t find in Wilderness’ current off the shelf releases which is a breath of fresh air. Long finish, baking spice, maple, brown butter and baked apples once more. Wisp of cinnamon.

Week 10 – Old Elk 9yr Straight Wheat Whiskey Single Barrel, Barrel Proof r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 59.4% ABV
Age: 9 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Colorado, USA (Old Elk)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: This whiskey is a force. The nose starts off with brown butter and honey, sweet butterscotch and rich, sticky, creme brulee. A touch of caramelized sugar and a faint hint of char build complexity. The palate is full and rich, complex with no shortage of creme brulee, vanilla bean, soft and sweet caramel notes and a bold, rich wheat character. At just shy of 60% ABV, it’s dangerously drinkable and the oak begins to show in the palate, offering structure and a satisfying mouthfeel that hits each part of your palate. Long finish, it’s rich and chewy, buttery and viscous, full of creme brulee, soft char and caramelized sugar, a hint of dryness and beautiful dessert character that lasts an eternity.

Week 10 – NULU Toasted French Oak Single Barrel Bourbon Honey Finish r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 58% ABV
Age: 6 Years + 6 Months Toasted Barrel Honey Finish
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Kentucky, USA (NULU)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: This whiskey reminds me, in a very strange way, of one of my favorite desserts from my recent honeymoon. In Greece it was really common to be served Phyllo (Filo) which was a flaky pastry drizzled with honey, and often some small nuts as well. It was rich and desserty, but easy to enjoy while bring airy, satisfying, and it never felt too heavy or light. This whiskey reminds me of that. The nose is full of baking spice, it’s loaded with pastry and sweetness, balanced with a touch of clove, spicy pepper, rich toasted oak notes. The palate is viscous and complex, the 36% MGP mashbill holds up great against the honey, offering a bold, rich canvas. Honey, cracked pepper, nutmeg and a touch of clove give way to honey, toasted oak, sweet cream and satisfying char on the palate. The finish is bold and it hangs on, packed with baking spice, honey, graham cracker and that opulent pastry note once more.

Week 10 – Starlight Single Barrel VDN II Finished Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 53% ABV
Age: 4 Years, 6 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Bottling State: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: The nose on this week’s Starlight is packed with orange, rich oak, a hint of baking spice and delicate orange essence. The palate features more baking spice than the previous VDN, but it also features a bit more orange. A touch less sweet, fans who find other VDN finishes too sweet will feel right at home as this barrel is rich and viscous on the palate, but not cloying or too sweet. Orange peel, sweet oak, some light char and pepper blends nicely with caramel, satisfying oak and a faint hint of cocoa. Finish is long, the oak steps back here to leave caramel, vanilla, orange essence and a touch of cocoa once more to see the show to a close. Few brands know how to master VDN like Starlight do, and it’s no surprise I couldn’t stay away from a second cask when picking there.

Week 10 – Heaven’s Door Single Barrel, Barrel Proof Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 61.3% ABV
State of Distillation: Tennessee, USA (Tennessee Distilling Group)
Bottling State: Tennessee, USA (Heaven’s Door)
Mashbill: 80% Corn, 10% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring, Warehouse W6- Rick B,
Cooperage: Kelvin Cooperage
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Bold, boozy, rich, the mouthfeel on this single barrel was the prolific sticking point I just couldn’t ignore. I suspect if you dare uttered “thin” anywhere nearby, it’d smack you in the kisser. The nose is full of toffee, salted caramel, rich oak, barrel char, a hint of espresso and decadent honey. The palate is sticky and rich, layered and chewy, full of viscosity and character. Decadent and satisfying, it’s an easy dram to just let rest on your palate and feel it evolve. Sticky toffee pudding, caramel, honey, bold barrel char and a touch of pepper build on the palate while the finish is rich, stuffed with oak, caramel sweetness and boozy cocoa cream pie.

Week 9 – Starlight Single Barrel VDN Finished Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 52.6% ABV
Age: 4 Years, 6 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Bottling State: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Big and rich, it’s been a hot, hot minute since we’ve had a Vino De Naranja for r/Bourbon. Starlight kicked off our experience with the exotic, macerated, wine finish and these barrels continue to be a favorite of mine. This is the only finish I doubled up on this year for a bourbon and it’s a real hoot. Sweet on the nose with notes of nutmeg, honey, a touch of orange and sweet nougat, the palate is creamy and rich, full of sweet cream, honey, nougat, baking spice and gentle, complex, wine influence. I love how wines like Tokaji and VDN bump the viscosity of their base spirit and this is no different. Long finish with a delicious blend of sweet oak, savory spice like light cinnamon and clove, with a long, creamy, finish.

Week 9 – Sagamore Spirit 7yr Single Barrel Rye r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 55% ABV
Age: 7 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Maryland, USA (Sagamore Distillery)
Info: 55% Proofed Release, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring, Blend of Rye Mashbills
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Sagamore is a brand I love to come back to, their rye always delivers a unique, well proofed, complex pour. Opening with brown sugar, graham cracker, a tough of ginger, and lovely funky rye notes, this selection is perhaps our darkest, most savory yet. Putting aside some grassy herbal character and instead embracing more of syrupy blackberry and tobacco notes, this single barrel rocks at 55% ABV. Rich on the palate, the ethanol is well integrated with notes of rye bread, pipe tobacco, sweet berries, a touch of balsamic and a rich, maple backbone. Long finish that fades softly, more rye spices pops up here

Week 9 – Starlight Bottled in Bond Apple Brandy Finished Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 53.45% ABV
Age: 4 Years 6 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Bottling State: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: If there’s one thing that Starlight knows better than whiskey, it’s their brandy. This barrel is a symbiotic look at bottled in bond Apple Brandy integrating perfectly with their house, 4 grain, bourbon. With a lower entry proof, to boot, this Apple Brandy Finished Bourbon is full of flavor. On the nose it’s sweet and rich, full of creme brulee, light barrel char, sweet cream and a hint of vanilla bean. Apple character peeks through delicately. On the palate, it’s full of sweet oak and brown sugar, balanced against clove, a hint of pepper and a touch of nutmeg. The apple brandy shows through wonderfully, adding a natural pop of acid and fruit to the dessert forward profile. It reminds me of a caramel apple on a stick, in the most natural sense. The finish is full of sweet oak, dry baking spice and graham cracker and waffle cone. Lovely, unique, a fun barrel I couldn’t pass up.

Week 9 – Starlight Amburana “Cigar Batch” Finished Rye r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 57% ABV
Age: 4 Years, 6 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Bottling State: Indiana, USA (Starlight Distillery)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Perhaps Starlight’s most prolific finish of all time, this is Amburana and we are back with a 1st Fill barrel this time finishing a rye whiskey. Very few of these were made available in the market, and I’m thankful that Starlight saw to it that r/bourbon made the list. I love how the Amburana works with the bold rye spice on this release; fans in the past who found the Amburana taking over our previous bourbon releases will definitely find this more to their liking. The nose is full of spice drops, cake batter, bold maple and spices. It’s impressively aromatic, a cinnamon roll in a glass. The palate is wild and unique, the peppery rye and baking spice grapple hand in hand with the powerful Amburana finish. Spicy at first, it opens up to a sweet, maple driven profile with a crackle of pepper and clove, candied ginger, and honey. The tobacco notes of the Amburana drive forward. Long finish, impressively aromatic once more with the rye holding its ground: anise, raisin bread, cocoa, ginger and maple see it off.

Week 8 – Dancing Goat Limousin Rye 6yr 364 Day Old #8300 Orange Bitters Finish r/Bourbon Private Selection

It sounds weird, because it is. And it’s awesome. Because it is. This is the super hot follow up to our Cherry Bitters finish that released just as winter was kicking off. I picked this barrel at the same time as the Cherry Bittlers finish, noting specifically I wanted to release this in the deep winter time.

Well, we’re here. It’s winter, and I got 7 inches of snow this week. This cask is every bit as good as our recent Cherry Bitters finish, and it’s more approachable, to boot. And yes, it’s one day shy of 7 years old. So, you get the 6yr labeling and the best price in town.

ABV: 56.1% ABV
Age: 6 Years, 364 Days
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Wisconsin, USA (Old Elk)
Mashbill: 95% Rye MGP Mashbill
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Welcome to winter, this orange peel laced old fashioned in a glass is a ringer. It’s sweet on the nose, full of natural orange zest, a touch of brown sugar and bright aromatics. Rich on the palate, it’s full of rye spice, maple, caramel, bold pepper and natural orange zest once more. Bitters influence is marked and bold, but not overpowering. The rye fights hard and heavy and maintains a balanced character. Long finish that’s all demerara, orange peel, a touch of Ango, honey and a pop of rye spice once more. This is just too fun to drink, and I can’t recommend popping 2oz of this, one barspoon of simple and a luxardo in a glass with ice. A stir later, you’re good to go. I know how I’m surviving the rest of this winter.

Week 8 – Dancing Goat 6yr Straight Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Selection

Dancing Goat has some of the best MGP access around, and present a great opportunity at the best pricing this group sees, bar none. I’m also thankful that they are pretty close to being in my back yard. As a result, I’m there with some frequency, checking on a number of lots of barrels. This 6 year, 21% rye bourbon continues the story our previous releases tell. As many of you have seen via the TTB, they have new labels on the way as well. This barrel is one of a lot I earmarked back in the summer, and gave it the final thumbs up for bottling in January. It’s ready to go! And did I mention the price? Unbelievable.

ABV: 56.7% ABV
Age: 6 Years, 6 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Wisconsin, USA (Dancing Goat)
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Full of tobacco and brown butter, this barrel is all about baking spice, dessert and delightful balance. Warm cocoa on the nose mixed with maple candies and a hint of sweet tobacco. Palate is rich and viscous, proofed nicely with a silky mouthfeel but no aggressive, high octane punch. Caramel, honey, warm rising bread, pepper, clove and nutmeg balance. Pleasant oak for complexity, but not dry, over-oaked or tannic. Long finish that’s all brown butter, apple fritter and a crackle of pepper.

Week 8 – Dad’s Hat Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye r/Bourbon Private Selection

Dad’s Hat is brand new to our program. I love what they’re doing. Dedicated to producing Pennsylvania style rye in Pennsylvania, they’re as craft as it gets, with a track record of delicious rye from start to finish. I tried them about 2 years ago and was floored. It wasn’t until I sat in on a recent Lost Lantern presentation which had Dad’s Hat as a guest that I was reminded I needed to pursue their single barrels. After getting in touch and working through some samples, I was convinced we needed a barrel for our program.

The team there was awesome, and we’ll plan an on-site selection with room for guests later this summer. They’re a no-shortcuts producer who makes some of the best rye I’m confident folks may have never heard of. This cask is punchy, high proof, well aged and well priced, and that’s a tough mark to hit these days. My artistic sensibilities failed me on this release, so we’re sticking with just the standard labeling and bottle personalized to us, to keep it at the best price possible. You’re gonna want to try this one.

ABV: 63% ABV |126pf
Age: 5 Years, 5 Months, 18 Days
State of Distillation: Pennsylvania, USA (Dad’s Hat)
Bottling State: Pennsylvania, USA (Dad’s Hat)
Mashbill: 80% Rye, 15% Malted Barley, 5% Malted Rye
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Some people complain that some ryes are too meek. Some folks just complain in general. Dad’s Hat’s rye brings a powerful, complex, intriguing look at a profile that’s aggressively rye on the nose, and complex and varied on the palate. From the nose, it’s easy to think you might be entering the rye thunderdome. Citrus, spearmint, warm pancake syrup, orange peel and honey greet you initially. On the palate, it’s rich and viscous. This coats the palate and the proof is sort of a shocker. You can tell from the viscosity it’s way up there in proof, but on the back palate and finish it’s well integrated and easy drinking. Honey, black tea, rye bread and orange peel dance on the palate. Long, punchy finish. This makes a monster manhattan, one of the best I’ve had. Suggestion: black walnut bitters+carpano antica.

Week 8 – George Remus Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Selection

Our final Remus of the season comes with a twist. This is one of their unique mashbills, the 51% Corn, 49% rye mashbill. How’s that for high rye? This was a really interesting find from the distillery, as they don’t widely disseminate this mashbill, and it’s not easy to find. We checked several times to confirm, and Remus/MGP verified and humored us. It’s a whopper of flavor, and I think it’s cool to compare similar ages, and proofs, with mashbill differences to see just how impactful the grain can be.

ABV: 114.2pf
Age: 6 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Mashbill: 51% Corn, 49% Rye
Info: Barrel Proof, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: This barrel is such a trip. Apple bake on the nose, mixed with savory fruits like currant and blackberry mix with a spicy clove component and a touch of cinnamon. Vanilla bean, peach cobbler, a hint of orange and honey on the palate mix with a rich mouthfeel and a surprising amount of oak. Long finish, the rye shows itself more on the palate, with the corn leading the finish to a long, complex, desserty escape. Creme brulee, nougat, a touch of tobacco.

Week 7 – Old Elk 7yr Wheated Bourbon #8198 “Cosmic Wheat: Return To Space II” r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 117pf
Age: 7 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Colorado, USA (Old Elk)
Mashbill: 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Malted Barley
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring, Wheated Bourbon Mashbill
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle + Cosmic Wheat Sticker
Tasting Notes: If I was smart, I’d have named this series the three elks. But, here we are. This first barrel is pure pound cake and brown butter. This is easily the sweetest, focusing on maple, brown butter, gooey cinnamon rolls, caramel and a touch of cinnamon spice. These are in a great sweet spot for oak, plenty of tannin but not expressively woody or dry. Sweet and layered, desserty and rich from tip to tail.

Week 7 – Old Elk 7yr Wheated Bourbon #8310 “Cosmic Wheat: Return To Space III” r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 105.8pf
Age: 7 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Colorado, USA (Old Elk)
Mashbill: 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Malted Barley
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring, Wheated Bourbon Mashbill
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle + Cosmic Wheat Sticker
Tasting Notes: This second barrel is all about balance, combining butterscotch, sweet caramels, and creamy nougat and frosting with zesty cracked pepper, clove, a touch of cinnamon and sweet oak. “Just right” if you love those big sweet wheat notes up front, but a balanced palate between sweet and spices, with a long, cake batter finish. Easily my favorite of the three.

Week 7 – Old Elk 7yr Wheated Bourbon #8422 “Cosmic Wheat: Return To Space IV” r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

ABV: 106.1pf
Age: 7 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Bottling State: Colorado, USA (Old Elk)
Mashbill: 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Malted Barley
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring, Wheated Bourbon Mashbill
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle + Cosmic Wheat Sticker
Tasting Notes: This third barrel is the driest, oakier and more savory, with more oak, tannin and baking spice working alongside the sweet caramel, honey, butter cream and butterscotch. For fans of a sweet nose but dry and looong finish, this is for you. The nose is creamy, full of maple, brown butter, rich tobacco and waffle cone. The palate is dry with a good deal of oak, lovely nutmeg and nuanced cinnamon sugar spice. The palate is extra long, layering together maple, honey, sweet molasses and satisfying oak spice.

Week 7 – Starlight PX Sherry Finished Single Barrel Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

We are back for our final triple of barrels from Starlight! This PX and our two VDN are the final chapters of 2022’s picks from one of our best distillery partners. PX sherry is a viscous, rich, sherry that focuses on nuttier influence an ultra sweet package. As a result, it takes great care to finish with PX because the results can be overbearing. I’m thankful that a variety of PX casks were available to taste on premise, and we settled on this specific cask for its balance and complexity. It’s hard to understate how much I love PX when it’s done right, as that’s where much of my love of GlenDronach and similar distilleries comes from their decades of learning to master sherry maturations and finishes.

Taking their 4 grain mashbill and a barrel entry proof of 110pf, among the lowest in the business, Starlight’s base bourbon was perfectly set up to finish with bold PX sherry wine. The final proof is a killer 107, just right. It’s a right shortie as well.

ABV: 107pf
Age: 4 Years (plus 6mo PX finish)
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (Starlight)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Savory and rich on the nose, it’s packed with honey, tobacco, sweet oak, rich caramel, a touch of molasses and light plum and currant. On the palate the mouthfeel is rich, and there’s a pleasant tug of war between sweet bourbon notes, dry tannin and pleasant oak and big sherry notes on the back palate. The finish is all blackberry bramble, caramel, baking spice and a pleasant stewed fruits and currant jam with Luxardo richness. Rock an old fashioned with it, I dare you. I bet your bar won’t be the same after. We’re coming up on the end of Starlight barrels for a while, and ending on a high note with a killer PX.

Week 7 – Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye “Triple Barrel Tangle #3” r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 115pf
Age: 6 Years (Barreled December 2016, Bottled December 2022)
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (Beam)
Warehouse: 3-04-49
Info: Proofed to Bottling Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: For the third chapter being slightly younger than the other two releases, this rye drinks spicier and more developed from a tannin and baking spice perspective. That bold spice and maple character is there on the nose, but the palate is rye through and through. Vanilla bean, waffle cone, molasses and nutmeg come together before zesty orange peel, clove, rye spice, toasty caramelized sugar, candied ginger and a touch of ango take over. Long, dry finish, it’s easy to come back for another sip. If there’s a knob creek that will kill a Manhattan, it’s this guy! I’d also sub in when pulling together a Boulevardier. Big fan.

Week 6 – NULU 8yr Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Selection

This year, we have one of the few 8 year old single barrels coming from NULU. They aren’t cheap. That’s what I told chase on the phone when he told me about them and what their price was. But, he said I had to try them.

I was planning to be in town a bit after that call, so I made note to stop by. NULU’s really embraced the risk of trying lots of new things, and we’ve done enough barrels together now that they have a good idea of what I like and what I don’t. So, I knew I had to drop by. If we’re being honest, I was pretty conflicted on trying an expensive 8 year in my brain, but I decided to put that aside and at least give them a try. I’m glad I did.

NULU had 8 barrels they’d be willing to let folks try for release this year. That’s only two pallets. They’re extremely limited with only repeat partners of theirs getting access.

I tried all 8. When in Rome, and all. While I didn’t love the first one I tried (these were proofy bastards, and they are up there in ABV!) barrels 2 and 3 wore me down in record time. 4 trumped them both and was awesome. I asked to try the other 4, for science. On this pallet I found our barrel, and I knew I wasn’t going to leave it behind. This char beast full of maple, cola, cherry cordials and sweet oak was rockin’. My mind was thoroughly changed, and out came the barrel sticker and sharpie. And a taster for the road. You’re going to love this one. It’s not often I get those old, cola, cherry notes in a bourbon and this barrel shines.

ABV: 125.2pf
Age: 8 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Cherry cola for days on the nose, bold and rich, fiery with spice, char, oak and sweet maple. Dense, powerful and rich. On the palate, it’s bold and woody still, structured nicely with vanilla, cherries, cola, caramelized sugar, tobacco and a fat helping of clove. Long finish, there’s a touch of heat here, and it reminds me of Booker’s with a touch more oak: rich nougat and dessert-y toffee that hangs through the fire and flames that 60%+ sometimes throws off on the finish.

Week 6 – NULU Experimental Finish Series French Oak Finished Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Selection

As I mentioned above, when NULU gives me a call and says “oh you’re gonna love this”, at this point I listen and scurry over. With the 8yr barrel tasted and selected, I wanted to go ahead and follow up on some other projects they had in the works. Our next two barrels are both Experimental Finish Bourbons (our final rye from last year is on the way) and they feature two beautiful whiskeys.

The first is a virgin French Oak finish for 3 months. This was easily my favorite barrel of the whole day. French Oak does wild stuff to American Whiskey. Sometimes, it adds big spice, almost too much spice. Other times, it’s soft and creamy. French Oak took this 6 Year bourbon straight to a seesaw of baking spice, rich creme brulee and this supple, silky mouthfeel texture.

ABV: 112pf | 56% ABV
Age: 6 Years Oak Aging, 3 Months French Oak Finish
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Everything I’ve wanted Maker’s 46 to ever be, this single barrel starts bold, rich and spicy. On the nose, it’s pepper, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and sweet spice drops. This morphs on the palate to a syrupy, viscous, satisfying creamy bourbon that’s laced with sweet vanilla icing and cinnamon bun brown sugar filling. Long finish, gently oak, tobacco and pound cake. There’s something new withe very sip.

Week 6 – NULU Experimental Finish Series Amburana Finished Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Selection

Last but not least, we have NULU’s take on Amburana. Using fresh barrels right off the boat, I tasted through a good deal of lots that they had aging. Starlight’s Amburana is so aggressive and powerful that I wanted to find an Amburana bourbon in here that had more balance to it. It didn’t take long to find one that really integrated Amburana’s awesome influence without going whole cigar hog. Amburana, better known as Brazilian Teakwood, is one of the most beautiful woods I’ve seen. There’s a dirty joke in there somewhere, but I really mean it. Next to a standard bourbon barrel, these Amburana look like works of art. The wood is so tightly grained and polished to a smooth satin finish. It’s ridiculous, and explains why it’s also an expensive wood type to work with, second only in my mind to the expense of those prestigious Bordeaux and Burgundy barrels that pop up here and there.

This barrel has all the essence of Amburana, with enough balance and nuance to make it drinkable more than once a month when you get that Cigar Batch itch. I love it. Hats off to NULU on keeping these barrels in the sweet spot for barrel influence. I think having bourbon that’s a good bit older than others going into the Amburana barrel also really helps.

ABV: 114pf | 57% ABV
Age: 5 Years 6 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Pairing wonderfully with the bitter cold weather of the Midwest this week, maple, cinnamon, spice drops, pipe tobacco and icing combine on the nose for a pungent, complex, spice driven nose. The palate is rich and dessert forward, loaded with maple, mall food court Cinnabon, caramel and spice drops. Maple on the palate is full of rich oak, lightly drying on the back palate. Noticeably, this finish is the best integrated, with tons of Amburana spice and bourbon honey sweetness, but I don’t notice it dominating my palate after each sip like other releases have. Smooth, clean exit full of barrel char, toffee, caramels and sweet pipe tobacco.

Week 6 – George Remus Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Selection

The second of three Remus in the program for Q1 this year, this barrel proof release straight from MGP themselves is a combination of flavor, structure and value. We’ve been going around the horn with MGP a bit, you’ll notice this barrel is the same proof as our first, but after much reassurance, they let us know this is not a mistake – we’ve got an unlikely “twin barrel syndrome” on our hands – two similar aged bourbons that came out at the same proof. I guess when you do as many barrels as we do in a year, it’s bound to happen. I was shocked to see that in my area, these are selling north of $70 which is nuts, since we were able to lock this in sub-$70, even after annual increases. It’s got all the spice of that 36% Rye mashbill people love, and a great price to boot.

ABV: 57.1% ABV
Age: 6 Years
Final Mashbill: MGP’s 36% Rye Bourbon Mashbill (60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley)
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Info: Barrel Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: I very clearly remember calling our last Remus a spicy bastard of a barrel and this sibling release is no different. Awesome caramel, honey, toffee texture throughout the nose. Sweet in one moment, packed with spicy cinnamon and pepper in the next. Palate is bold and rich, full of fruit like an apple bake or apple crisp from the oven. Cinnamon, flaky pastry and pie crust, touch of vanilla bean and loads of brown sugar on the palate. Dry, oaky, escape on the palate, with a pang of spice once more.

Week 6 – Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye “Triple Barrel Tangle #2” r/Bourbon Private Selection

Knob Creek Rye needs no introduction these days. This is the second release of our Triple of Ryes picked in the same trip, hence the fun name “Triple Barrel Tangle”. Also from Warehouse Q, it shares the peppery nose and succulent dense toffee palate of Tangle #1.

ABV: 115pf
Age: 6 Years (Barreled June 2016, Bottled September 2022)
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (Beam)
Warehouse: Q-04-03
Info: Proofed to Bottling Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Enormous rye spice at first on the nose, this gives way to maple, white grape, orange peel, a touch of blackberry, and a hint of herbal spice. Rich palate, coats the palate nicely at 115pf, with a surprising amount of oak. Caramel, fresh bread rising, cherries, blackberries and orange with a nougat and creme brulee finish. I will boulevardier this bottle to death if not supervised, I love the crossroads of fruit and spice with a hint of creme brulee that shows here and there.

Week 5 – Old Fourth Single Barrel Cask Strength r/Bourbon Private Selection

Last spring, Blake from Seelbach’s and I were in Atlanta. We spent an afternoon with the folks at Old Fourth and picked a set of barrels. Many of you will remember the r/bourbon release, it was the first chapter of the wife is right artwork (my wife selected it alongside myself and blake, it was her first barrel selection). As we were leaving, we kept asking: “is there no way we can bottle at barrel proof?”. The answer was a no. They did mention though, that they’d take our request into consideration for future picks. They’d have to totally redesign their labels but…they’d consider it.

Several months later, we got the good word. Old Fourth had agreed that we could have future barrels at cask strength. Blake and I would get to pick individual barrels for our communities, and they’d be the first to release. Oddly enough, my samples showed up just in time this fall for selection: I picked this barrel the night before departing for my honeymoon in Greece. Seelbach’s has launched their barrel already, and ours is ready now as well. It’s always fun when we can work with a producer to launch something new, and I’m excited for this barrel as well.

ABV: 118.37pf
Age: 4 Years, 6 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP), Aged completely in Atlanta, Georgia (Old Fourth)
Mashbill: 74% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: A rich honey apple bomb, this pour is full of maple, cinnamon, stewed apples, caramel and honey. Light to moderate oak, with a focus on butterscotch candies, light salted caramel, sweet oak and bright fruits. Mouthfeel is viscous and satisfying, proof is deceptive – it’s a sneaky easy drinker for nearly 120pf. Long finish, apple butter, honey and pie crust for days.

Week 5 – Old Elk 7yr Single Barrel Straight Bourbon

At this point, many of you know the absolute battle that bringing in these Old Elk have been. Finally, our wave of well aged Old Elks are finally becoming available. This week we have our 7 year single barrel bourbon, featuring their unique bourbon mashbill. It’s always funny to hear about Old Elk comment on this mashbill because it features a ton of malted barley, their most expensive ingredient. But, Greg Metze, their master distiller, insisted on it, so they let it rip. I think it’s some of the best straight bourbon on the market, and am not surprised these have been a hit in the past. This release was selected in 2022 and bottled in 2022, and it’s finally ready for us to enjoy.

ABV: 54.3% ABV
Age: 7 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana, USA (MGP), Aged and Bottled in Colorado (Old Elk)
Mashbill: 51% Corn, 34% Malted Barley, 15% Rye
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Half of my annoyance in the delay to receive this barrel is rooted in how much I enjoyed it while selecting many months ago. Bold and rich, this whiskey leads with soft vanilla, savory barrel char and cake batter. It’s well aged, there’s plenty of oak on the palate, and it drinks rich and viscous. The oak fades leading into the finish, shy of leaving this pour tasting bitter. The palate has this buttercream note that pairs well with the char character, vanilla, a hint of cinnamon and a gooey dessert profile reminiscent of cinnamon bun filling. Long finish, sweet oak, caramel, a touch of tobacco and a pinch of clove see it away.

Week 5 – Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye “Triple Barrel Tangle #1” r/Bourbon Private Selection

As our Knob Creek Bourbon Triple Barrel series was wrapping up, Beam let me know that our allocation of Rye was ready. For no good reason at all, folks often sleep on Knob Creek Rye picks. As a result, I could taste through as many samples as I liked. The result was a full day of tasting, leading to three rye barrels standing out. I thought this was timely, and that became the genesis of our Triple Barrel Tangle rye series. This is the first release of 3, and it’s a lovely, caramel forward rye.

ABV: 115pf
Age: 6 Years (Barreled June 2016, Bottled September 2022)
State of Distillation: Kentucky, USA (Beam)
Warehouse: Q, Floor 4, Rick 3
Info: Proofed to Bottling Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Peppy and spicy on the nose, this rye quickly subdues into a caramel sundae of a pour. The nose has crushed pepper, orange peel, a drizzle of honey and a pop of tobacco. The palate is dense and full of caramel toffees, rich rye bread, a pinch of pepper and clove, and a root beer and oak note on the back palate. Long finish, brown sugar, orange peel and a kiss of oak see this rye off.

Week 4 – Driftless Glen Single Barrel Bourbon Limited Edition “Bourbon de Naranja” r/Bourbon Private Selection

This bottling is a unique one, and it falls outside of the Exclusive Cask Series because Driftless Glen has done one release of this for their own gift shop. That said, this is the only other barrel out there, bottled specially for r/Bourbon. Truly one of a kind as these aren’t even available for other groups or retailers to select. Over a number of tastings, I elected to release this at 50% ABV rather than barrel proof; which works great showing both the base whiskey and the opulent VDN finish. It’s a little on the expensive side thanks to east coast distributors, but I’d put this VDN up against my favorites from other distilleries with ease and I’m hoping the healthy yield means there will be plenty to go around.

ABV: 53% ABV
Age: 5yr initial aging, 8mo VDN barrel
State of Distillation: Wisconsin, USA (Driftless Glen)
Mashbill: 60% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Creamy rich nose with oak, toffee, tobacco, orange peel and caramel candies. Beautiful clove and cocoa note. On the palate, it’s rich and silky, the proof brings out the rich bourbon notes, tobacco, toffee, sweet oak and honey while the wine shines with orange zest, subtle pop of balancing acidity, bright honey and creamy mouthfeel. Long finish, it’s creamy with a wonderful viscosity, honey, orange, caramel and sweet oak persist. I could drink it all day, and since it’s my birthday, I plan to.

Week 4 – Three Chord 5 Year Cherry Bounce Finished Bourbon r/Bourbon Single Barrel Private Selection

Our first Three Chord was in Week 2 of 2022 and went in a hurry. Here, we have two more Three Chord, each with their own flair. I’m thrilled that they also demonstrate some ridiculous value, especially when you consider them to peers like NULU or other NDP’s who are bottling whiskey from various sources. Our two casks this week come in at $59.99 and are sourced from MGP. One is double oaked, and this first barrel is finished in a Cherry Bounce barrel.

This finish is entirely new to our program. Cherry Bounce is a fruit liqueur that combines spirit, sour Morello cherries and sugar together. This particular batch was barrel aged, and the barrel was dumped and went on to hold our bourbon for a finishing period. I don’t have data on the duration of finish, but I”ll be clear that this is a subtle finish. It’s not cough syrup-y, or heavy on the cherry. The note is there, but the finish integrates far more cleanly with the base whiskey than our recent Cherry Bitters Dancing Goat, for instance.

ABV: 54.15% ABV
Age: 5 Years, 4 Months, 17 Days
State of Distillation: Indiana (MGP)
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Rich cherry cordial on the nose, combining funky tobacco and rye bread, molasses and clove, dark chocolate and a pop of fruit. On the palate, it’s rich and opulent, carries great viscosity with that pleasant 108pf. Sweet oak, cocoa, molasses, dark chocolate and cherry pop up here and there. The cherry note is dark, a touch tart, enticing and complex, rather than a big, artificial cherry character. Long finish, cocoa, maple, tobacco and a light peek of cherry cordial candies shines through again.

Week 4 – Three Chord 6 Year Double Oaked r/Bourbon Single Barrel Private Selection

Last but not least, we have a double oaked bourbon with some great age on it, with a whopper ABV. North of 60%, this barrel is double oaked and bottled at barrel proof, unfortunately coming out quite short. With just a touch over 100 bottles available, I expect it’ll go quick.

ABV: 60.26% ABV
Age: 6 Years 9 Months 19 Days
State of Distillation: Indiana (MGP)
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Rich and boozy, this malt and cocoa bomb brings the cola, maple and sweet buttercream with a force. Viscous on the palate, a tingle of ethanol, this drinks to me like Baker’s with a bit more oak. Baking spice forward on finish, it carries for ages with a faint touch of cola, cocoa, and sweet oak on the finish.

Week 3 – Driftless Glen Single Barrel Bourbon Exclusive Cask Series Edition #1 – Sauternes Finish

I’ve been thrilled to work with Driftless Glen for a number of years making selections for r/Bourbon and beyond – they were the source of our 2nd and 3rd barrels, after all! Driftless has been rolling out old and older whiskey every year, and their quality just continues to get better and better. I love holding inventory up at the distillery, because I can check on it often, and ensure it’s coming along in aging. They’re essentially in my back yard, after all.

Today, comes something new. In partnership with Driftless Glen, I worked with the distillery team to select finishing casks outside of their current barrel inventory. I meticulously selected an assortment of wine and other finishing barrels to be brought to the distillery. This would be used to finish a hand picked run of bourbon.

The Exclusive Cask Series is comprised of this collection of releases, available to no other groups or societies. Built from the ground up for r/bourbon, hand selected by t8ke.

ABV: 53% ABV
Age: 4 Years 129 Days Initial Aging 53 Gallon New Charred American Oak, 203 Days Sauternes Finish
State of Distillation: Wisconsin, USA (Driftless Glen)
Mashbill: 60% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: Nose: Beautiful butter cream, rich pound cake, sweet wine, caramelized sugar.Palate: Rich, blend of cream, honey, clove and pepper, sweet wine. A touch of clove, oak, ginger, caramel candies and beautiful, sweet wine notes like plum, apple, apricot and pear. Wonderful, silky, viscosity. Finish: Rich and dessert forward, a complex blend of orange cream, caramel, bold oak, butterscotch and delightful sauternes sweetness.

Week 3 – Barrell Craft Spirits Private Release AQ42 Barbados Rum Finish

Our final selection from 2022 from Barrell, it’s landed and ready to go. This was picked alongside our Ice Wine finish and presents a totally different look at the same coin. It’s a great one to side by side with our recent Starlight if you snagged our Starlight Foursquare Rum Cask Finish.

This is the same distillery finishing cask type, and it couldn’t have married better. Thankfully, this feller didn’t come out really low like our Ice Wine so I hope more folks can get their paws on this bottle after missing out on the Ice Wine. It will come with our token neck sticker like all previous Barrell as well (not pictured above)

ABV: 62.25%
Age: NAS (Blend of 8 – 14yr Kentucky + Indiana Whiskey Finished In Barbados Rum Cask)
State of Distillation: Kentucky + Indiana
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Personalized Sticker
Tasting Notes: Sweet with a kick of oak to welcome the nose, promptly gives way to sweet pound cake, maple, a touch of salted caramel and savory sweet oak. Great complexity on the palate, the texture is decadent, silky, viscous. Butter cookies, maple candies, a bit of candied ginger and a touch of cracked pepper spice. The warm, bread pudding and maple notes of Barbados rum definitely permeate, adding a great complexity to the base whiskey. Cherries, a touch of tropical fruit, caramel candies, soft tannins and clove see this finish through. Much like our Ice Wine, this was hard to put down, and blends proof and bold flavor with a complexity, satisfying mouthfeel and insane drinkability.

Week 3 – Old Pepper Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye

Last year, we released a duet of Old Pepper ryes. They were young yet characterful ryes, sourced from MGP, albeit proofed by Old Pepper who bottled them. This year, we’ve been able to convince them into a barrel proof release, much like Old Fourth (those barrels are coming soon), and this release features their own distillate.

I’m really excited to see their distillate coming to market, because Old Pepper is really a sleeper in the game. They’re up in Lexington and they have incredible rye and malt whiskey. Their single malt is so good that back in 2021 I begged them to let us put our name on some stuff for way in the future bottling. More on that some other day. Short story though, is that while their MGP releases were really good, I’ve been awaiting their own rye release even more and that makes today even more exciting.

I’m glad to see these continuing to sit in a very value friendly part of the price bracket, even as distillery prices increase wildly due to the boom.

ABV: 52.6% ABV
Age: 4 Years
State of Distillation: Kentucky (Old Pepper Distillery)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Personalized Sticker
Tasting Notes: For a lower ABV than last year’s Pepper, this pour has more going on, a great blend of orange peel, rye spice, maple, a hint of tobacco and this bold baking spice character: nutmeg, clove, cinnamon and a tough of spice. Medium viscosity on the palate, oak is present but not bold, overpowering, drying. Candied oranges and toffee on the palate gives way to a long, spicy finish that reminds me more of a Michter’s rye finish rather than a MGP herbal finish. Complex and leaves me stoked to see their rye age and age and age.

Week 2 – Nashville Barrel Company 9yr10mo Barrel Proof Rye “The Wife Is Right II” r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 53.20% ABV
Age: 9 Years 10 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana (MGP)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle + The Wife Is Right II Sticker.
Tasting Notes: A fat stack of tobacco, blackberries and honey, this rye abounds with maple, rich rye character and a killer tannin integration that works so well. Nearly as old as our recent Hughes ryes, this NBC lacks that heavy heavy herbal character and instead brings plenty of sweet oak, caramel, cracked pepper and rye spice laced with maple and blackberry reduction. Wildly rich.

Week 2 – Nashville Barrel Company 7yr Barrel Proof Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 58.45% ABV
Age: 7 Years
State of Distillation: Indiana (MGP)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling On Bottle
Tasting Notes: The richness of NBC bourbon casks continues to impress, bundling together sweet oak, honey, toffee, caramel candies, sweet tea, black tea and a pleasant, balancing, tannin to offset the sweetness. Rich on the palate, this pour comes in a touch under 60% ABV and I tend to prefer this over some of those ripper ABV’s on the younger casks. Fruitiness begins to develop: cherry and a touch of berry, pairs nicely with a long, bold finish full of sweet oak, maple and berry and tea.

Week 2 – Starlight Single Barrel Bourbon Finished In Portuguese Port r/Bourbon Private Selection

ABV: 55.6% ABV
Age: 4.5 Years (7 Months Port Finish)
State of Distillation: Indiana (Starlight)
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Rich and oily, this bourbon takes sweet cream and honey, clove and graham cracker and bundles it together with a rich, full bodied wine finish. Rich cherry and blackberry pair with heavy oak, honey, tobacco, a touch of char and cigar tobacco. I love how concentrated Port can be without being about maximum sweetness. It’s well textured, full of richness and starts sweet and jammy on the palate and ends dry and savory. The port and bourbon come together here for a start to finish experience that’s bursting with complexity.

Week 2 – Bulleit 10yr Single Barrel Short Barrel r/Bourbon Selection

ABV: 52% ABV | 104pf (Proofed, as all Bulleit are)
Mashbill: 21% Rye Mashbill, Yeast #3 Strawberry Fruit
State of Distillation: Kentucky (Undisclosed Distiller)
Info: Proofed, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Hang Tag
Tasting Notes: Oaky and dry up front, this pour opens up to reveal honey, a touch of orange preserve and a great balance of baking spice and toffee. Moderate palate, it’s easy to sip given the proof, although it does sacrifice that heavy, chewy texture that barrel proof bourbons usually have. This barrel marries orange peel, honey, a touch of sweet cream and a nice touch of barrel char on the finish. While I looked forward to this arriving in time for the summer of 2022, where I like lower proof whiskey to pair with higher summer temps, I’m realizing that 52% ABV works for my palate all year long.

Week 1 – Barrell Craft Spirits Private Release Whiskey German Ice Wine Finish r/Bourbon Selection

ABV: 123.38pf
Age: NAS (Blend of 8 – 14yr Kentucky + Indiana Whiskey Finished In German Ice Wine cask)
State of Distillation: Kentucky + Indiana
Info: Cask Strength, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Yield: 115 Bottles
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Personalized Sticker
Tasting Notes: Some barrels I work through the entire flight before picking a winner. Others are love at first sight. This Ice Wine finished whiskey was the latter. Incredible complexity on the nose, sweet cake batter, toffee and honey, rich baking spice: notably clove. Pairs wonderfully with a delicate, rock candy sweetness and a hint of white grape, cream, pears and apricots. The palate is rich and chewy, light on the tannin, and favors more dessert sweetness. There’s a touch of oak here and there, but it acts more as a balancing note, rather than a profile defining feature. Rich wine, caramel, apples, pears, honey, white grape, sweet butterscotch. Long finish with clove, tobacco, more oak and pepper and a final touch of ice wine on the way out. With a more delicate wine like Ice Wine, the American Whiskey base from Barrell was a great choice vs their oakier, spicier bourbon blends. Beautiful complexity.

Week 1 – Redemption High Rye Bourbon, Single Barrel r/Bourbon Selection

ABV: 105pf (Proofed to 105pf like all Redemption SIB)
Age: 5 Years, 3 Months
State of Distillation: Indiana (MGP)
Info: Proofed, Unfiltered, No Additives, No Coloring
Yield: 220 Bottles
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Label
Tasting Notes: A high rye bourbon through and through, this reminds me a lot of our Bulleit picks, proofed nicely in the same ballpark and embodying that same great pepper, clove, tobacco and rich caramel profile. This leverages the 60% Corn, 36% Rye 4% barley mashbill from MGP, as bottled by Redemption. Sweet caramel, waffle cone, rich demerara on the nose. Palate is medium viscosity, easy sipping, cracked pepper, candied ginger, maple and tobacco. Long finish, a nice touch of orange peel, ginger, wafer candies and rich clove.

Are you old enough to be here?