2024 Single Barrel Program Barrels

Week 17 – Bye – No barrels

Week 16 – Lost Lantern Cedar Ridge Single Barrel Barrel Proof Wheat Whiskey r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Our first Cedar Ridge is an interesting one, and a bit outside what you may see from them any other day on the shelf. It’s a cask strength, single barrel, of wheat whiskey, and it’s an absolute stunner.

Distilled: Iowa, USA (Cedar Ridge)
Aged In: Iowa, USA
Bottled: New Hampshire, USA (Lost Lantern)
Details: Barrel Strength, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 123.6 Proof
Age: 6 Years
Mashbill: 100% Malted White Winter Wheat
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: Rich and complex on the nose, this whiskey is a butterscotch, honey, baking spice bomb with tons of layers alternating sweetness and satisfying spice. Sweet cream and honey abound on the nose with touches of caramel, toffee, clove, a hint of cinnamon and delicious ginger. The palate is viscous and layered, rolling pleasantly with that wheat, supple, texture that’s velvety and decadent. Long finish, packed with caramel, honey, vanilla and graham cracker crust with a dash of pepper and cinnamon.

Week 16 – Lost Lantern Rich Grain Distilling 7 Year Old HAZMAT Mississippi Straight Wheated Bourbon P3 r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Part of a two barrel release, this hazmat, small yield release reminds me of some of the earliest Driftless Glen in 30gal barrels that absolute shocked the whiskey world. This release is a wheated bourbon from Rich Grain and is colossally short – 51 bottles produced before safety cases, etc etc

Distilled: Mississippi, USA (Rich Grain Distilling)
Aged In: Mississippi, USA
Bottled: New Hampshire, USA (Lost Lantern)
Details: Barrel Strength, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 144.8 Proof
Age: 7 Years
Mashbill: 66% Mississippi Corn, 17% Wheat, 17% Malted Barley
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: An incredibly short barrel, this bruiser takes wheat in the mash and swings hard regardless. Viscous, powerful, dense and chewy, it’s a brute of balance, lacing together big tannin, syrupy texture on the palate, sweet honey and waffle cone, maple and brown sugar and a kick of clove and oak. The finish is long, darn near eternal, as this pour hangs on without burning out your palate.

Week 16 – Lost Lantern Rich Grain Distilling 7 Year Old HAZMAT Mississippi Straight Bourbon P4 r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Part of a two barrel release, this hazmat, small yield release reminds me of some of the earliest Driftless Glen in 30gal barrels that absolute shocked the whiskey world. This one is a rye bourbon mash and yielded a scant 72 bottles before safety cases, etc etc.

Distilled: Mississippi, USA (Rich Grain Distilling)
Aged In: Mississippi, USA
Bottled: New Hampshire, USA (Lost Lantern)
Details: Barrel Strength, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 141.4 Proof
Age: 7 Years
Mashbill: 66% Mississippi Corn, 17% Rye, 17% Malted Barley
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: The cream of the crop, this pour is likewise powerful but holds onto the reins nicely with about the best balance between 140+pf whiskey and texture that I’ve seen. Rich and powerful on the nose, there’s loads of baking spice, toffee, espresso, barrel char, icing and a hint of tobacco. The palate is viscous, the ethanol sneaks a little more than the higher proof wheated bourbon but still presents satisfying viscosity and a chewy mouthfeel, alongside tons of pancake syrup, cocoa, tobacco and a cola root beer character. Lovely stuff. Long finish, sweet and cola forward as it grips for ages.

Week 15 – Penelope 10yr Single Barrel Barrel Strength r/Bourbon Private Selection

This barrel is the oldest Penelope Bourbon I’ve had the opportunity to select, a 10yr single barrel, barrel proof private select, and it’s one of my favorites. I’ve been badgering their team for years to let me select from their high corn stocks and it’s finally here!

Distilled: Indiana, USA (MGP/Penelope)
Aged In: Indiana, USA
Bottled: Indiana, USA (MGP/Penelope)
Details: Barrel Strength, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 110 Proof
Age: 10 Years
Mashbill: 99% Corn, 1% Malted Barley
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: Rich and buttery nose, heavy and rich, packed with caramel, butterscotch, creme brulee, barrel char, a hint of graham cracker and lovely, caramelized sugars. There’s plenty of oak but it’s well mannered and well integrated, bringing with it satisfying baking spice and sweetness. The palate is rich, viscous, and layers in satisfying sweetness: honey, caramel, butterscotch, nougat and some caramelized sugars mix nicely with moderate oak, pleasant structure and balancing spice. Long finish that’s decadent and packed with delicious, dessert character that marries sweet and savory.

Week 15 – Penelope 6yr Barrel Strength Toasted Rye r/Bourbon Private Selection

This is the first rye, and the first toasted rye, we’ve done through Penelope as well. A good week of firsts. I love how rich and rye forward this is from front to back, with the toasted barrel finish rounding out the nose and finish and bringing a creamy texture and delicious integration of sweet and spice on this single cask.

Distilled: Indiana, USA (MGP/Penelope)
Aged In: Indiana, USA
Bottled: Indiana, USA (MGP/Penelope)
Details: Barrel Strength, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
Finish: Char 1, Heavy Toast, Barrels
ABV: 55% ABV
Age: 6 Years
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: Punchy and intriguing on the nose, there’s so much going on here! Rich on the nose, vanilla pops first with plenty of rye spice, honey, rich herbal rye and a hint of dill and baking spice. The palate exudes a really creamy texture, it’s rich yet velvety at the same time. Rich rye spice continues once more, loaded with maple, butterscotch, pleasant herbal-y rye character, a faint pop of orange peel, clove and cracked pepper. Long finish, beautiful balance of spicy rye, herbal character and vibrant, pleasantly layered sweetness and dessert character.

Week 14 – Yellowstone High Proof Bourbon r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

This barrel features the highest bottling proof that Yellowstone supports, sporting a 119pf bottling proof (59.5% ABV). It’s our highest proof Yellowstone selection so far and also the oldest since our last pick in 2021 (wow time flies!).

Distilled: Kentucky, USA
Aged In:Kentucky USA
Bottled: Kentucky, USA (Yellowstone)
Details: High Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 119 Proof
Age: 5 Years, 4 Months (Nov 2018 – March 2024)
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: Sweet butter cream and cherry, cola and cocoa pop on the nose with tons of toffee, a dash of fruit and some sweet oak and baking spice. Heavy on the palate, rich and syrupy. Pleasant viscosity without being dominated by oak, there’s a nice orange peel note with sweet cream, candied ginger, honey, caramels and some cola. The proof brings extra body and complexity, but still manages to drink easy and sweet, in a barrel that’s a perfect followup to past Yellowstone’s long passed.

Week 14 – Ezra Brooks Cask Strength Bourbon r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

This barrel is our first Ezra in a hot, hot minute. Bottled at 126pf at true cask strength compared to their previous 120pf cap on barrels, this release is all flavor and spice, for those that aren’t as big on wheaters.

Distilled: Kentucky, USA
Aged In:Kentucky USA
Bottled: Kentucky, USA (Yellowstone)
Details: High Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 63% ABV
Age: 5 Years
Mashbill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 13% Malted Barley
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: Bold, oaky, spicy, and well rounded, the savory tower of this trio shines brightly once more. It’s been more than a year since we’ve had an Ezra and it’s worth the wait with this bold, rich and oaky bourbon that’s loaded with baking spice, cherry cordial, a fat bowl of creme brulee and pleasant mouthfeel. Long finish full of cream, cherries, toffee and oak. Delicious.

Week 14 – Rebel Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

This barrel is a wheated bourbon picked to pair perfectly with our Yellowstone and Ezra, also bottled at an elevated 126pf compared to our previous selections at 120 and 124pf.

Distilled: Kentucky, USA
Aged In:Kentucky USA
Bottled: Kentucky, USA (Yellowstone)
Details: High Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 63% ABV
Age: 4 Years 11 Months (April 2019 – March 2024)
Mashbill: 68% Corn,20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: Delicious and packed with sweet butterscotch, pralines, honey and a hint of cinnamon and spice, it’s a wheater that’s showing well and with beneficial age to it. Rich on the palate, full of cream, sweetness, honey, toffee and more artful cinnamon, the wheat is drinking nicely with plenty of complexity. Long finish that’s got pleasant, sweet oak, caramel candies, honey butter and a touch of nougat. Exceptional wheater!

Week 13 – Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Kentucky, USA (Beam)
Aged In: Kentucky USA
Bottled: Kentucky, USA (Beam)
Details: 120pf, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 60% ABV
Age: 10 Years (Distilled Feb 2014, Bottled March 2024)
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: Rich and full of cracked pepper, sweet butter cream, fresh honey, toffee and a hint of peanut brittle. Rich and creamy on the palate, pleasant richness and satisfying texture as well. There’s a lot more dessert here than I typically get in Knob Creek, but I’m here for it. Heavy oak character, a pleasant dryness on the palate paired with brulee and honey. Long finish, a prickle of ethanol (it is 120pf!) and lovely sweet oak, tobacco and peanut brittle.

Week 13 – Backbone Bone Snapper Single Barrel Fusion Rye r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Aged In: Indiana USA
Bottled: Indiana, USA (Backbone)
Details: Cask Strength, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 60.8% ABV
Age: 6 Years 3 Months
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: Whoah! Wild stuff here. Gorgeous, exotic, nose. Full of honey, red berries, citrus peel, heavy rye spice, a pop of vanilla and a hint of balsamic, ango, tobacco and a kick of ginger. The palate is viscous and rich on the palate, gorgeous structure that’s loaded with rye spice up front, citrus and cream in the mid palate and tobacco, raisin, blackberry and rye funk on the back palate. There’s plenty of black tea, sweet blackberry reduction and a hint of graham cracker on the palate. Long finish, lower oak character here with more fruit, rye spice, honey, a hint of ango and balsamic once more with heavy blackberry, orange peel, rye spice and graham cracker. Crazy good stuff, and unlike anything already on your shelf for sure.

Week 12 – NULU 6yr Amburana Finished Bourbon r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Aged In: Indiana and Kentucky USA
Bottled: Kentucky, USA (NULU)
Details: Cask Strength, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 58.2% ABV
Age: 6 Years + Amburana Finish
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: Beautifully layered baking spice and honey come together on the nose with french toast, clove, maple and spice popping after a moment. The amburana shows through a bit less on the nose compared to layers of caramel, maple, brown butter, tobacco and rye spice. The palate is rich and dense, satisfying and savory, with a blend of black pepper, clove, ginger, honey, amburana spice popping up and pound cake, toffee and tobacco. Rich pipe tobacco and decadent spice emanate nicely and the viscosity is satisfying with a perfect proof. Long finish that favors baking spice and brown sugar, with strong oak, pepper and clove presenting the Amburana nicely through the finish as well. Far from the most powerful Amburana we’ve had, this barrel dishes on decadent desserts and keeps the Amburana from stealing the show.

Week 12 – NULU 6yr Orange Brandy Finished Bourbon r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Aged In: Indiana and Kentucky USA
Bottled: Kentucky, USA (NULU)
Details: Cask Strength, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 56% ABV
Age: 6 Years + Orange Brandy Finish
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: Bold, strong, bourbon character peaks on the nose, heavy baking spice, cracked pepper, sweet caramels and a hint of barrel char. I liked how rowdy and spicy the base bourbon on this release is, because it takes the orange in stride and integrates handily. Finishing gets so much more interesting when well aged whiskey lays the foundation, and there’s plenty of bourbon foundation here. Orange peel pops in on the nose, sweet at first with a natural acidity and a pop of orange character. The palate is rich and viscous, natural and satisfying, full of honey, caramels, orange peel, big pepper spice and a hint of clove. Impressive oak character here helps balance the orange brandy character and presents a nice, complex, marriage of the two. Delicious, long, eternal finish that’s all sweet oak, a twist of orange satisfying spice and caramels.

Week 12 – J.T. Meleck 5yr Single Barrel r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Louisiana, USA (Meleck)
Aged In: Louisiana, USA
Bottled: Louisiana, USA (Meleck)
Details: Cask Strength, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 63.55% ABV
Age: 5 Years 4 Months (Distilled October 5th 2018, Bottled Feb 2023)
Mashbill: 100% Louisiana Rice
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: Luscious nose that’s loaded with sweet butter cream, light honey, icing, creme brulee and a touch of toasted oak. It’s crazy how creamy and good natured this nose is, sneaking the proof right by you under a tray of desserts. The palate is viscous and rich, silky on the palate with an impressive texture that’s opulent like a nicely prepared pot de creme. Like a rice krispie treat, there’s sweetness, a hint of rice, plenty of satisfying oak, butter cream, vanilla and butterscotch, a hint of brown butter and more heavy cream and a pinch of sweet tea. The finish is long, velvety, creamy and opulent all the way through. This is really impressive stuff, and I’ve not yet had anything like it. The texture, viscosity and “pillowy” texture on the palate, to borrow the descriptor from a good friend, is unusual and makes for a really decadent whiskey. Super cool stuff.

Week 12 – Mammoth Distilling 18yr4mo HAZMAT Rye r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Undisclosed Canadian
Aged In: Canada & Michigan
Bottled: Michigan USA (Mammoth Distilling)
Details: Cask Strength, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 71.12% ABV
Age: 18 Years 4 Months
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: I wish I had the free time to make a sticker for this release, because I”d have called it The Sneaky Mammoth. It’s really hard to picture a colossal creature being sneaky. It’s also hard to picture a 140+pf whiskey being sneaky. Yet, here we are. The nose is sweet and spicy, maple driven with a pop of ginger, pepper and a light touch of oak. There’s a hint of clove, a touch of vanilla bean and fig sweetness. The palate is viscous, syrupy, heavy and huge. The ethanol is present here and while you can feel it on your palate, it’s not punishing or overbearing, hence the sneak. Palate is full of caramels, vanilla, sweet oak, light pepper, ginger and some subtle, apple, pear and tobacco. The finish is powerful and long, and this is where this barrel really excels. The finish is rich and complex, driven by sweet oak, satisfying brulee and maple, tobacco and some light fruit and honey. Despite a huge age statement, the oak presence is satisfying and well integrated, never overbearing. Same with the ethanol. Nice work, Sneaky Mammoth.

Week 11 – Subtle Spirits “THE HIVE” r/Bourbon 7yr9mo Cask Strength Rye Whiskey Private Selection

Welcome To The HIVE.

Distilled: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Aged In: Kentucky and California, USA
Bottled: California, USA (Subtle Spirits)
Details: Cask Strength, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel, Fully Custom Art
ABV: 59.5% ABV
Age: 7 Years 9 Months + Finishing Time
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: Heavy caramel and dark fruit on the nose, toffee combines with blackberry, butterscotch, nougat, a touch of red berry, white grape, tobacco and decadent rye spice. The rye spice and fruit mingle elegantly, disguising a touch of spice and shrouding the ethanol entirely. The palate is rich, viscous, powerful and layered. There’s sweet oak, heavy spicy, toffee and caramel. The tannin is big and fat, rich and complex without bitterness or growing drying. The fruit integrates nicely, bringing more blackberry, currant, white grape, raisin, tobacco and date fruit to bear. The spicy rye character jumps in, bringing cracked pepper, clove, a hint of orange peel and white pepper to combine with the rich sweetness and layered fruit character. Long finish brings it all together, pushing forward more rye spice yet, powered by opulent oak, brown sugar, rye spice and cracked pepper with facets of blackberry, decadent white grape and a final zip of spice. This pour hangs in the glass expertly, changing with every sip.

Week 11 – Blue Run “The Black Butterfly” Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Kentucky, USA (Heaven Hill)
Aged In: Kentucky USA
Bottled: Kentucky, USA (Blue Run)
Details: Cask Strength, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel, Fully Custom Art
ABV: 65.2% ABV
Age: 9 Years
Mashbill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: It’s all dessert all day: bundling together oak and pure dessert character we find Black Butterfly raiding every bakery in town. The nose is huge and loaded with nougat, brown sugar, icing, satisfying caramels and butterscotch, with a kick of oak, a hint of cinnamon and crackle of spice. The palate is viscous and layered, borderline syrupy with satisfying oakiness on the palate, a sweetness that sticks with you and plenty of balancing spice. Rich maple, brown sugar, nougat and butterscotch litter the palate up front while cinnamon, a touch of clove and cracked pepper develop with each sip. There’s more oak than you’d expect for 9 years, balancing out the sweetness and delivering the spice with precision. Long, rich finish that’s cinnamon and butterscotch all the way home. What a monster.

Week 11 – Paladar Reposado Single Barrel Tequila r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Maestro distiller Eduardo Orendain Jr distilled this from Blue Weber Agave, using a blend of wild and cultivated yeasts. agaves were roasted in brick ovens, fermented in a pine vat and distilled on alambique copper and stainless steel stills. It was aged for 4 months in ex-bourbon barrels and bottled at 46% ABV.

Distilled: Tequila Arette de Jalisco SA (Mexic)
Aged In: Mexico USA
Bottled: NOM1109 (Paladar Tequila)
Details: Additive Free, Custom r/Bourbon Labeling and Art
ABV: 46% ABV
Age: 4 Months
Mashbill: 100% Blue Weber Agave
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
T8ke’s Tasting Notes: Crisp on the nose, rainwater, peach, cracked pepper, faint honey sweetness and a hint of cracked slate pops on the nose. Fresh and vibrant, dangerously drinkable. Moderate mouthfeel, spritely and clean on the palate with pleasant mineralogy, honey, light vanilla, a hint of apple and citrus zest and a long, lively finish. Pour closes out with a lightly earthy character, more faint vanilla, sweet honey, stone fruit, a pop of minerality and beautiful texture. If there’s a place to dive in: it’s here.

Week 10 – Bulleit 7yr 36% Rye Single Barrel r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Kentucky, USA (Undisclosed)
Aged In: Kentucky, USA (Bulleit)
Bottled: Kentucky, USA (Bulleit)
Details: Proofed to 52%, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 52% ABV
Age: 7 Years
Mashbill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Yeast: #2 – Strawberry Fruity
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon LabelingTasting Notes: Sweet caramel and baking spice develop with a surprising amount of oak, baking spice, honey and toffee. Really rich nose that’s heavy on sweet and spice. The palate develops a bit of espresso, cocoa, fudge and rock candy, butter cream and butterscotch. The finish is long and developed, layered with cracked pepper, baking spice, maple candies, toffee and more butterscotch. Pleasant tobacco and leather character, rich and savory.

Week 9 – Piggyback 6yr Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Vermont, USA (WhistlePig)
Aged In: Vermont, USA
Bottled: Vermont, USA (WhistlePig)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 54.2% ABV
Age: 6 Years 6 Months
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Bold, spicy, fruity and loaded with rye character, this barrel was the standout from our day of selections, even against the higher age statement 10 year casks. Fruity and bright on the nose with apple, blackberry, a hint of peach and bright maple and spicy ginger and black pepper. There’s enough oak to balance but it’s not an oaky rye – that’s a better look to the 10yr. This 6yr is full of baking spice and sweetness, some of that fruity character from the nose and a delicious berry reduction, maple and peppery rye character on the palate. Long finish, less spice here, leaning back into dessert and fruit.

Week 9 – WhistlePig 10yr Single Cask Cask Strength Rye r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Canada (Undisclosed)
Aged In: Canada & USA
Bottled: Vermont, USA (WhistlePig)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 59.4% ABV
Age: 10 Years
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Vibrant and spicy, this 10yr release sacrifices some of the lighter fruits of past picks and doubles down with a structured, tobacco heavy rye profile that’s packed with herbal, spicy rye, sweet maple and waffle cone. The palate is rich, it has the most oak of our past 10 year picks so it falls outside the Ryedration collection, and branches in a new direction. Heavy fig, date, tobacco, caramel and a pop of clove strikes first. The finish is long and brings in more tobacco, sweet cream, a touch of pear and beautiful herbal character.

Week 9 – Hughes “Belle of Bedford” 11yr 7mo Barrel Proof Rye r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Aged In: Indiana & Pennsylvania, USA
Bottled: Pennsylvania, USA (Hughes Belle of Bedford)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 55.4% ABV
Age: 11 Years 7 Months
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Last but not lease is our time capsule to the old days of rye: a dilly, herbal bomb that’s laced with oak and big in every way. The nose is herbal, packed with dill, spice, clove, a touch of pepper, light grassiness and big tobacco and oak. The palate is viscous and syrupy, packed with oak, savory dill, maple and heavy tobacco and blackberry balsamic character. The finish picks back up on herbal rye and oak, sweet cream, ginger and oak. It’s a formidable rye and it’s nothing short of awesome.

Week 8 – Starlight Honey Finished Bourbon Single Barrel r/Bourbon Selection

Distilled: Indiana, USA (Starlight)
Aged In: Indiana
Bottled: Indiana, USA (Starlight)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 58.75% ABV
Age: 4 Years + Honey Finish
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Gorgeous nose full of honey, balancing oak, clove, pepper and a pop of peaches, pears, apple and honey. There’s a bit more oak on the nose compared to our first honey, which balances the sweetness nicely and presents a good deal of complexity. Rich on the palate with a satisfying viscosity and mouthfeel – rich but not too syrupy, buttery and full of honey, baked apple, toffee and a hint of peach. Balancing oak and baking spice. Long, rich finish that shines as all honey finishes seems to do – long and delicious, it hangs for a great deal of time, balancing sweetness, spice and oak for a really opulent, natural, decadence. Touch of pepper and oak as it fades, easy drinking from start to finish. Just the right amount of honey.

Week 8 – Starlight Maple Finished Bourbon Single Barrel r/Bourbon Selection

Distilled: Indiana, USA (Starlight)
Aged In: Indiana
Bottled: Indiana, USA (Starlight)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 54.15% ABV
Age: 4 Years 6 Months + Maple Finish
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Rich and packed with dessert on the nose, the base bourbon is spicy and punchy, taking the sweetness of the maple nicely and spreading it around. Pepper, clove, ginger meets maple, brown butter, toffee. The maple character is very rich and natural, those of you in northern states know how varied and different maple syrups can be. This product has the dark, rich, roasty maple character of a rich maple, and blends nicely with balanced oak and savory baking spice. The palate is rich and natural, viscous and delicious. Ethanol is well integrated, no heat here, and the sweet oak, maple and baking spice carry in a really great way. Long finish, incredibly satisfying.

Week 8 – Starlight “Cigar Batch” Rum Amburana Finished Bourbon Single Barrel r/Bourbon
Selection

Distilled: Indiana, USA (Starlight)
Aged In: Indiana
Bottled: Indiana, USA (Starlight)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 56.8% ABV
Age: 4 Years, 6 Months + Finishing Time
Tasting Notes: A first for our program, the combination of flavors on this release *just work*. Sweetness and complex flavors from the rum character, a punch of baking spice and amburana character from the, well, amburana, and plenty of lovely bourbon character from the bourbon. The nose is full of buttery toffee, sweet cream, a tickle of tropical mango, peach, pear and tangerine and classic amburana notes: ginger, baking spice, clove and pound cake. The palate is rich, super layered. Easily the most complex of this week’s whiskeys the amburana is placed nicely, not too powerful and also keeps the rum in check: the whiskey is packed with flavor and there’s a new note to find with each pour. Baking spice, ginger, clove and raisin bread kick off while stewed fruit, papaya, banana and mango pop in for a moment. Rich oak, pleasant spice and decadent richness despite a very drinkable 56%. Long finish, more oak and amburana show while rum and bourbon notes balance for a unique, balanced end.

Week 8 – Dancing Goat 8 Year Honey Finished Limousin Rye r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Aged In: Indiana & Wisconsin
Bottled: Wisconsin, USA (Dancing Goat)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 52.8% ABV
Barrel #: 9764
Age: 8 Years + Honey Finish
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Zesty and full of life on the nose, this barrel is crazy good, starting with black pepper, waffle cone, a pop of oak and then sweet honey. The palate is rich and full of spice and oak, the extra aging and rye spice show more heavily than the honey at first. The honey is rich and full of character – it reminds me of local honeys from the farmers market that have a touch of floral character beyond simple sweetness. It’s a decadent nose, unreal. The palate is balanced and rich, it’s not in your face but there’s tons going on: sweet maple and honey character, punchy rye spice and no shortage of oak, the hefty age on this barrel before finishing shows it as the most balanced and rye spice works to balance the honeyed sweetness very nicely. Long finish, this makes a screamin’ boulevardier, just saying. If you’ve been hesitant to try one of these Limo ryes, now’s the time as this presents on a whole extra level from previous finishes we’ve done. Crazy good stuff.

Week 7 – Eagle Rare 10yr Single Barrel “Beagle Rare” r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Kentucky, USA (Buffalo Trace)
Aged In: Kentucky, USA (Buffalo Trace)
Bottled: Kentucky, USA (Buffalo Trace)
Details: 10 Year, Single Barrel
ABV: 45% ABV
Age: 10 Years
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Rich and fun, this Eagle Rare barrel is all cherry cola all day long. Bright cherry and cola on the nose meet moderate oak and plenty of character. Eagle Rare has always evoked a more fruit forward profile in the BT family for me and this barrel is no difference. Bold tobacco, sweet cherry, black tea and honey, pleasant oakiness and a pinch of pepper roll through. The palate is moderate in viscosity, easy sipping and layered with fruit, caramels and sweet vanilla and cream. At 45% ABV it’s plenty complex but not overpowering, there’s enough oak from the aging to balance and offset the sweetness from the vanilla and fruit. Long, dry finish that’s cherry cola and crushed pepper all day long. A perfect sipper as warm weather approaches and the dog days of summer awaits.

Week 7 – Penelope Rose Cask Strength Single Barrel Private Select

Distilled: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Aged In: Indiana & New Jersey, USA
Bottled: New Jersey, USA (Penelope)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 57% ABV
Age: Blend of 3, 5, 6 yr bourbon finished in Grenache Rose Casks.
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: On the nose, this release is a gorgeous combination of fruit and acidity with sweet bourbon character and a pinch of baking spice. If you’re looking for bold oak you’re at the wrong bus stop, hold on til we get to the next barrel. Rich caramel and peach, pear, cherry and a hint of raspberry pop on the nose with candied ginger, baking spice and clover honey. The palate is viscous and satisfying with the elevated proof and tons of sweet cream, rock candy, caramel and a touch of pepper. Long finish, easily the best part for me, the combination of tart and sweet fruit with light oak, rich cream sweetness and a vanilla and honey profile. Gorgeous whiskey that I’ve long wished existed – I’m a fan of standard Penelope Rose but there’s no comparison here: this is how it should be.

Week 7 – George Dickel “15 Year” r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Tennessee, USA (George Dickel)
Aged In: Tennessee, USA
Bottled: Tennessee, USA (George Dickel)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 52.3% ABV
Age: 17 Years 8 Months
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Powerful, bold, tannic and opulent, this is old bourbon at its best. Heavy nose full of toffee, oak, heavy baking spice, orange peels, cordial cherry, espresso and a punch of pepper. The palate is rich and drying, it’s viscous and complex and full of oak. It’s not bitter, but if powerful tannin isn’t your jam, think twice. There is oak galore in this pour that blends satisfyingly with the orange peel and cherry on the nose, there’s espresso and heavy cola and rootbeer sweetness on the palate as well. The tannin takes the place of Dickel’s characteristic minerality and absolutely shows up in bold fashion with this barrel. Long finish, dry and laced with more orange, dark cacao, cherries, toffee and brown butter. Goliath.

Week 7 – Three Chord 6yr Cherry Bounce Finished Single Barrel r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection

Distilled: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Aged In: Michigan, USA
Bottled: Michigan, USA (Three Chord)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 54% ABV
Age: 6 Years
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Luxardo cherry pops on the nose with cola, molasses, black tea and honey. There’s a touch of pepper, some pleasant oak. The palate is rich, complex and nuanced – the cherry bounce is an element here, not an overshadowing flavor. Balanced and full of caramel, oak, toffee and more cherry cordial character. Long finish, heavy on molasses, baking spice, a kiss of cherry and satisfying oak and clove as it sails off.

Week 7 – Stellum Serpens N4 Barrel Proof Rye r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Last but not least is a long overdue Stellum Rye selection, selected for its boldness and heavy rye spice. It’s unyielding and powerful, and somehow yet one of the best bargains in whiskey: I give you Serpens N4!

Distilled: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Aged In: Kentucky, USA
Bottled: Kentucky, USA (Barrell Craft Spirits)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 59.29% ABV
Age: 6 Years
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Powerful rye character, this barrel was picked reminiscing Stellum’s Black Label profiles: heavy rye spice, unyielding complexity and powerful complexity that presents a pour that’s all rye. This isn’t a bourbon drinkers rye, it’s not a dessert lovers rye, it’s a rye lovers rye. Heavy spice and a pop of ginger greet the nose with maple, some brown butter, some black tea and a hammer of clove, rye spice and zest. The palate is rich and powerful, complex and once again rye spice focused. Some tannin presents but rye, clove, pepper and a crackle of ginger pop on the palate with a hint of herbal zip. The finish is long, unabashed and full of life: maple, brown butter, a hint of blackberry and balsamic punch with ginger, clove and pepper.

Week 6 – Westward Cask Strength r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Oregon, USA (Westward)
Aged In: Oregon, USA
Bottled: Oregon, USA (Westward)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 66.14% ABV
Age: 7 Years
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Incredibly decadent on the nose, packed with toffee, waffle cone, cake batter, nougat and light cocoa on the nose. There’s hefty oak, maple and raisin bread left and right, Heavy tobacco rolls through on the palate, paired with a ridiculous mouthfeel, viscous and layered, syrupy, chewy. Eternal finish packed with waffle cone, tobacco, raisin bread, toffee and more honey. This drinks like an old, old sherried scotch but with the viscosity and mouthfeel of high proof, well aged bourbon. It’s a beast, and it’s packed with character. Unreal.

Week 6 – Westward Cask Strength Cabernet Matured r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

They do so few of these bottlings, it managed to throw off the bottling crew a bit – they were so used to their wine finishes being Pinot Noir that they applied the ‘Finished in Pinot Noir Casks’ sticker to this as well, despite it being Cabernet. So, go with the badge on this bottle for the finish type.

Distilled: Oregon, USA (Westward)
Aged In: Oregon, USA
Bottled: Oregon, USA (Westward)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 64.88% ABV
Age: 7 Years
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Note: Label incorrectly says both Pinot Noir and Cabernet – this was finished entirely in Cabernet)
Tasting Notes: Every bit a wallop as our Cask Strength barrel, this Cask Strength Cabernet release takes that cocoa, toffee, maple, tobacco profile and coats it with dry tannin, opulent red berries and a delicious pang of balsamic, tart currant and decadent blackberry. The nose is all cream and tobacco, maple and waffle cone, rich oak and cherry cordials. The palate is powerful, packed with toffee, pleasant oak, red berries, tart currant, cocoa, and a drizzle of maple. The finish on this release hangs as well as the first, pairing up big tannin and sweetness with tart berries, lovely tobacco, a hint of char and a killer blackberry note. Super rich.

Week 6 – Starlight Calvados Finished Rye r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Indiana, USA (Starlight)
Aged In: Indiana, USA
Bottled: Indiana, USA (Starlight)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 105.4pf
Age: 4 Years + Calvados Finish
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Rye and Calvados come together as a decadent duo, popping first with a punch of rye spice, then giving way to lovely Calvados complexity and sweetness. The nose is full of brown sugar and vanilla bean, a pop of rye spice and cracked pepper, with a hint of herbal spice and a hint of ginger. The Calvados sweeps in balancing acidity and fruit character, adding in balanced apple character, warm flaky pastry, honey and a hint of acidity. The finish is long and well balanced once again, a moderate mouthfeel balances flavor with the proof, baked apple, a hint of cinnamon, warm brown sugar and a long finish full of baking spice and lovely rye complexity.

Week 6 – Copper Sky Limited Release Tokaji Finished r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Indiana, USA (MGP)
Aged In: Colorado, USA
Bottled: Colorado, USA (Copper Sky)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 58% ABV
Age: 6 Years + Tokaji Finish
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Rich on the nose, heavy with honey, toffee, plum, tobacco, red berries and a hint of cola – unique and fun with a heavy emphasis on the tokaji, bringing decadent richness to the nose. The palate is rich, super satisfying mouthfeel with an ABV that simply sneaks by, loaded with pleasant oak, big berry character, toffee, tobacco, more cola and a hint of cherry cordial. The finish is long, layered and puts it in park for a hot minute. Sweet, creamy, vanilla meets toffee, plum, tobacco and a final hint of butterscotch and oak. Thee Tokaji barrels are super expensive, but so satisfying and lend a perfect complement when the bourbon being finished has enough age and spice to balance. Lovely stuff.

Week 5 – Backbone “Bone Snapper” 8yr 10mo Barrel Proof Rye r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Tennessee, USA (George Dickel)
Aged In: Tennessee & Indiana, USA
Bottled: Indiana, USA (Backbone)
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 64.7% ABV
Age: 8 Years 10 Months
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: The nose opens with gobs of pipe tobacco, cigar wrapped, butter cream and sweet caramelized sugars and creme brulee. Rich, opulent dessert character paired with some funky, decadent, savory tobacco notes. The palate is oak and spice driven up front – orange peel, spicy pepper, some orange peel and a crackle of clove with a syrupy, viscous texture on the palate. The Dickel minerality is not present, instead replaced with tobacco, caramel and toffee, a hint of char and big spicy oak. Long finish with more char, caramel, creme brulee, funky rye spice and black tea, cola and a hint of cherry. As opulent as they come.

Week 4 – Rebel Cask Strength Single Barrel Wheated Kentucky Bourbon r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Kentucky, USA (Undisclosed)
Aged In: Kentucky, USA
Bottled: Kentucky, USA (Lux Row)
Mashbill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malt
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 60% ABV
Age: 4 Years, 7 Months (April 2019 – Nov 2023)
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Sweet wheat and honey pop on the nose with a silky, viscous, layered moutfeel. These always fall a bit less tannic than their Ezra cousins, and I love the combination of sweet caramel, buttery texture, a pinch of cinnamon. These are always unabashed wheated bourbns and this barrel is no different, the finish is long and sweet first, with hints of oak and pleasant cinnamon, baking spice and vanilla on the finish. Super well developed.

Week 4 – Puncher’s Chance 6yr6mo Barrel Proof Single Barrel Kentucky Bourbon r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Kentucky, USA (Undisclosed)
Aged In: Kentucky, USA
Bottled: Kentucky, USA (Puncher’s Chance)
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 57.7% ABV
Age: 6 Years 6 Months
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: Bold and rich, this barrel’s loaded with char, baking spice and rich bourbon notes, it’s quintessential KY bourbon in a lot of ways. Rich pepper, orange peel, baking spice and caramels pop on the nose. Great combination of spice and sweetness, there’s a good bit of oak and a pinch of tobacco. The palate is rich, pop of red cherries, toffee, baking spice and tons of dessert notes. Touch of maple, orange peel and more baking spice. Long finish, the oak shows here a bit more with gobs of caramel, a bit of funk and more cracked pepper and orange peel.

Week 4 – Knob Creek 8yr8mo Single Barrel Select Rye r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Kentucky, USA (Jim Beam)
Aged In: Kentucky, USA
Bottled: Kentucky, USA (Jim Beam)
Details: 115pf, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
Warehouse: 1-04-05
ABV: 57.5% ABV
Age: 8 Years 8 Months
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling
Tasting Notes: I’m just waiting for some rogue group to pull out a Booker’s Rye Jr abomination of a sticker, but they wouldn’t be wrong in the end. This rye’s loaded with vanilla ice cream, stewed fruits, big spice and pepper, ginger and rye bread with a blast of toffee on the nose. It’s big, it’s sweet, there’s spice, and there’s enough oak to feel like this thing is built to carry. Rich palate, sticky toffee and plenty of oaky complexity with maple, rippin’ rye spice and orange peel. A bit oakier, more concentrated than the first cask, the finish is long, loaded with rye spice, oranges, a hint of cherry, toffee and crackle of clove. Unreal and awesome.

Week 3 – WhistlePig 10yr10mo “Ryedration IV” Barrel Proof Rye r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Ryedration is back and the fourth chapter of this refreshing, crushable, richly flavored rye is here. Hailing in at 10 years 10 months old, it’s a testament to the ryedration series and bears the fun art to match. Typically these come in right at 160 bottles or so, but unfortunately this barrel came in a bit short. There’s still plenty to go around, but not as many cases as I typically hope to see from these well aged ryes.

Distilled: Canada (Undisclosed)
Aged In: Canada & Vermont, USA
Bottled: Vermont, USA (WhistlePig
Mashbill: 100% Rye
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 55.95% ABV
Age: 10 Years 10 Months
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling & Ryedration Custom Sticker
Tasting Notes: Beautiful dessert and fruit returns to the stage in this rye full of orange peel, tobacco, rich oak and delicious maple. Blackberry, orange peel, a hint of funky rye and sweet cream wafts on the nose. The palate is rich and shows a nice structure with plenty of oak but not too much: butter cream, clove, spice and some warm maple syrup. Funky rye sees the finish through: rich and combining sweetness and baking spice with a pleasant finish that’s unique drinkable.

Week 3 – WhistlePig Piggyback 6yr6mo Barrel Proof Rye r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

100% distilled at WhistlePig farm, this rye is a full 6 years and 6 months old, also bottled at barrel proof.

Distilled: Vermont, USA (WhistlePig)
Aged In: Vermont, USA
Bottled: Vermont, USA (WhistlePig
Mashbill: 100% Rye
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Additives, No Filtering, Single Barrel
ABV: 56.3% ABV
Age: 6 Years 6 Months
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labelings
Tasting Notes: Rich and loaded with dessert and rye spice, this is a punchy rye at first that gives way to pleasant dessert character and baking spice. The nose is packed wall to wall with candied ginger, maple, a hint of toasted caramel, light herbal rye spice and a pinch of pepper. The palate is rich and satisfying, 56% presents a pleasant viscosity, tons of maple, another dash of black pepper and some black tea and orange peel. Long, satisfying finish that’s citrusy and sweet. While our first Piggyback was well suited for a Manhattan, I gave this a go in a Boulevardier, and may never look back.

Week 2 – Old Elk 7yr 10mo Wheated Single Barrel Bourbon r/Bourbon Private Barrel Selection “Eternal Elk: A Close To The Cosmos

Distilled: Indiana, USA (Greg Metze / MGP)
Aged In: Colorado USA (Old Elk
Bottled: Colorado, USA (Greg Metze / Old Elk)
ABV: 55.95% ABV
Mashbill: 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Malted Barley
Age: 7 Years 10 Months
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Filtering, Single Barrel
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling & Custom Eternal Elk Holographic Sticker
Tasting Notes: The nose opens with rich, sweet maple, creamy vanilla, cinnamon and sweet buttercream. Layers of oak pop, showing a bit of lift over our previous 7yr releases without becoming dry, powerful or bitter, they contrast nicely with the sweetness the wheat content brings here. The palate is loaded with caramel and butterscotch, creme brulee and maple. The wheat contributes really nicely to the texture on the mouthfeel here, viscous and decadent, a hint of baking spice and cinnamon sneaks in, balancing against the sweet wheat once more. Long finish, tons of nougat, brown sugar, sweet cream and a pop of cinnamon once more. The oak continues to hold stead, creating a long finish that presents sweetness without cloying, or becoming too try and oaky. A fitting close to the series.

Week 1 – Four Gate 7yr Kentucky Bourbon r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Kentucky, USA (Undisclosed)
Aged In: Kentucky
Bottled: Kentucky, USA (Four Gate)
ABV: 61% ABV
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Age: 7 Years
Details: Barrel Proof, No Coloring, No Filtering, Single Barrel
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling & Custom Wooden Hang Tag Medallions
Tasting Notes: Bold and powerful on the nose, this is loaded with rich toffee and caramels, sweet oak, tobacco and a heavy, rich combination of floral baking spice, cracked pepper and decadent molasses. The palate is loaded with dry tannin, cake batter, apple butter, faint cinnamon and rich brown butter. Opulent texture that’s almost custard adjacent, with hints of red berry, tobacco, sweet cream and a dash of orange peel. It tastes much richer and structured than I’d expect for 7 years old and at 60+% ABV it’s got a great, buttery, texture on the palate. The finish is long, complex and full of character. Maple. oak structure, more of that floral baking spice combined with brown butter, rich tobacco and a hint of orange peel leads this pour off.

Week 1 – Knob Creek 8yr6mo Single Barrel Select Rye r/Bourbon Single Barrel Selection

Distilled: Kentucky, USA (Beam)
Aged In: Kentucky
Bottled: Kentucky, USA (Beam)
ABV: 57.5% ABV
Age: 8 Years 6 Months
Details: Proofed to 115pf, No Coloring, No Filtering, Single Barrel
Labeling: Custom r/Bourbon Labeling & Custom Wooden Hang Tag Medallions
Tasting Notes: Off the bat this rye means business. Extra aging brings a fat stack of depth, complexity, extra oak and nice structure to this rye. Stewed fruits, tobacco, rich cream and a hint of rye bread pops immediately on the nose. A hint of herbal cinnamon, cocoa and nougat develops with time, big toffee character. The palate is rich, layered and plenty complex at 115pf. Sweet oak combines with decadent caramel on the palate, rich and layered, orange peel, more maple and a faint touch of rye bread. The finish is long and hangs and hangs, full of rye spice, orange peel, sweet cream and stewed fruits, toffee and a crackle of pepper.

Are you old enough to be here?