Angel’s Envy Single Barrel Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish
Mashbill: 72% corn, 13% rye and 15% malted barley
Age: 7 years
Est Proof: 111.5
The nose leads with butterscotch, warmed milk chocolate, cinnamon butter and burnt orange. The palate follows with mincemeat, dried dates, demerara syrup, cinnamon toast and fruit cake. The finish is warm and easy.
Augusta Distillery KYBF Barrel Select
Mashbill: 78% corn, 13% rye and 9% malted barley
Age: 9 years, 8 months
Est. Proof: 120
Fresh peach practically climbs out of the glass to greet the nose; toasted bread and warm pineapple follow along closely. The palate is awash in stone fruit and other goodies like caramel-glazed donuts and bananas Foster. Despite the potent 120 proof, it drinks easily and finishes softly.
Origin Series Rye, Single Barrel
Mashbill: 95% rye, 5% malted barley
Age: 6 years, 6 months
Est. Proof: 117.6
The nose is so awash in floral and herbal notes that one momentarily forgets about sipping it. Notes of dried cherry and cherry hard candy are abundant and the product of 16 months of finishing time in a custom oak and cherry wood hybrid barrel. (For comparison, the standard Origin Series Rye finishes for 6 months in this custom barrel.) The palate mirrors the nose: floral and herbal with candied fruit. A second sip serves up dark rye bread and dark cacao nibs.
Indiana Straight Bourbon Finished in Toasted Oak
Mashbill: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
Age: 7 years, 8 months
Est. Proof: 118.3
On the nose bruleed sugar and spring flowers lead on the nose with dried currants and baking spices bringing up the rear. Rye spice and toasted oak also come into play. Baking spices, cedar and toasted oak dominate the palate along with white pepper, vanilla syrup and candied cherries.
1792 Bottled In Bond
Mashbill: 74% corn, 18% rye, and 8% malted barley
Age: 7 years
Est. Proof: Tasted at 133.1 (barrel strength), bottled 100 proof
On the nose come aromas of chocolate cookies, caramel, cotton candy and graham cracker. On the palate come toasted oak, vanilla pound cake, flat cola, lemon curd and graham cracker.
Bluegrass Distillers Single Barrel Bourbon
Mashbill: 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley
Age: 4 years, 7 months
Est Proof: 119.6
The nose is delicate, leading with orange peel, marshmallow and toasted oak. The palate is balanced nicely between oak, rye spice and warm honey.
Barrel Strength Rye
Mashbill: 95% rye, 5% malted barley
Age: 5 years
Est. Proof: 114
The nose is bright with baking spice, dried lemon peel, baked pastry, cinnamon sugar, a little dill and dried ginger. The palate is powerful, both in proof and spice, but delivers up some softer honeyed and dinner roll characteristics.
Barrel Strength Bourbon
Mashbill: 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley
Age: 5.5 years
Est. Proof: 114
The toasted barrel finish on this brings big notes like campfire, barbecue chips and bruleed sugar that surround clove, cinnamon and cardamom. It’s powerfully spicy and potent on the front palate before softer notes of fire-cured tobacco, roasted dates and milk chocolate soften the presentation.
Casey Jones Single Barrel Bourbon
Mashbill: 78% corn, 13% rye, 9% malted barley
Age: 5 years
Est. Proof: Approximately 120
On the nose come aromas of cotton candy, buttered corn and a little cinnamon. The palate leads with brown sugar, toasted grain, a little roasted pineapple, caramel and golden delicious apple. This drinks surprisingly well below its estimated 120 proof.
Barrel Strength Bourbon
Mashbill: 73% white corn, 10% rye, 17% malted barley
Age: 5.5 years
Est. Proof: 107
The nose leads with dessert-like notes of pastry cream, mint and Biscoff cookies. The rye leads on the palate with a dose of mint and white pepper followed by cooked stone fruit, banana and toasted rye bread. Our pick manager called it, “A banger, the best barrel we’ve ever picked from Rickhouse E,” which is the large, multi-floor concrete warehouse behind the distillery.
Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Single Barrel
Mashbill: 70% corn, 21% rye, 9% malted barley
Age: 6 years
Est. Proof: 129.2
Significantly, this bourbon is Chicken Cock’s first contract distilled whiskey from Bardstown Bourbon Co. The nose leads with robust notes of chocolate candy bar, demerara syrup, molasses and charred oak. The palate is equally dark redolent of bittersweet chocolate, raspberry, raisins and dates. It drinks much softer than its 129 proof.
Linkumpinch Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon
Mashbill: 66% corn, 22% wheat and 12% barley
Age: 5 years
Est. Proof: 117.5
The nose serves up a well-rounded bouquet of ripe apples, cinnamon, oak, tobacco, dark honey and toasted wheat bread. The high proof pushes the wheat’s baking spice and cinnamon notes ahead of sorghum syrup, blackberry marmalade and black pepper.
Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon
Mashbill: OBSV 65% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley
Age: 9 years, 7 months
Est. Proof: Not determined when the barrel was picked
The nose brings a rich bouquet of baking spice, orange peel, milk chocolate and cherry, while the palate is velvety, laced with nougat, cooked red fruits, dried flowers
Green River Single Barrel Bourbon
Mashbill: 70% corn, 21% rye, 9 percent malted barley
Age: 5.5 years
Est. Proof: 126.5
Classic bourbon notes of caramel, corn and rye lead the way, but with a stout 126 proof, spice floats atop ethanol to invigorate the nose—a real pleasure on the spring day we chose this barrel. Soon after, subtle floral notes move in alongside toasted oak and cinnamon to make this a delight to nose. Cooked corn, rye and charred oak coat the palate until rye spice enlivens the party with some heat that foreshadows excellent cocktails.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Single Barrel Bourbon
Mashbill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
Age: 9.5 years
Est. Proof: 121.8
The nose leads with classic Heaven Hill notes of cooked corn, rye spice and caramel before giving way to deeper aromas of molasses, cola and pipe tobacco. The palate echoes the nose with dark flavors of bitter chocolate, oak, molasses and leather. That this barrel lost 3 proof points during aging speaks to its bold but approachable mouthfeel.
Hemingway Rye
Mashbill: 95% rye and 5% malted barley, and 110 proof. This rye whiskey is a blend of 90% MGPI rye with 10% Green River rye that was rested four months in a rum-seasoned Oloroso sherry barrel.
Age: 7 years
Est. Proof: 110
The nose delivers mint, baking spice and oak. Those notes are echoed on the palate along with Thin Mint cookie, pancake syrup and baked red apple.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Mashbill: 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% barley
Age: 9.5 years old
Est. Proof: 120
On the nose is dark fruit, tobacco, leather, cooked grain and charred oak. On the palate come surprisingly lighter notes of pastry cream, confectioner’s sugar, butterscotch and charred lemon.
Jeptha Creed Single Barrel Rye Bourbon
Mashbill: 75% corn, 20% malted rye, 5% malted barley
Age: 5 years, 6 months
Est. Proof: 119.9
The nose leads off with baking spices, rye grass, flamed orange and dried roses. On the palate it is deep, dark and powerful, featuring toasted grain, graham cracker, long-cooked stone fruit and high cacao chocolate.
Single Barrel Double Oaked Rye
Mashbill: Not disclosed but close to a Kentucky-style rye
Age: 7 years, 10 months
Est. Proof: 114
Vibrant notes of dried roses and dried strawberries are balanced with dark notes of bittersweet chocolate and oak. The bittersweet chocolate carries over to the palate before lightening from clover honey and burnt citrus. The finish is super long and warm on this bold but approachable whiskey.
One Cask Bourbon, Barrel Strength
Mashbill: 70% corn, 21% rye, 9% malted barley
Age: 5 years
Est. Proof: 118
The nose is rich and layered with dark fruit, baking spice and cooked grain. The palate echoes the nose with dark cherry, bitter chocolate, charred oak and leather.
Yellowstone Single Barrel Bourbon
Mashbill: 75% corn, 12% rye, 10% malted barley
Age: 5 years
Est. Proof: 115
The nose on this bourbon is initially delicate and honeyed before opening up with pie crust, cinnamon, almonds and barn wood. On the palate comes almond, wheat bread, browned butter and lemon pound cake. The finish is elegant, floral and medium length.
Monk’s Road Wheated Bourbon No. 1
Mashbill: Not disclosed
Age: 6 years
Est. Proof: 123.6
On the nose is baked bread with honey and flaked grain, dried strawberries, breakfast cereal, cinnamon, marshmallow and white pepper. Other sniffs deliver a springtime breeze. The palate is powerful, tingly and robust without being overly hot. Kettle corn, honey and lemon creme cookies come first, followed by herbal notes, dried grain and toasted oak.
Monk’s Road Wheated Bourbon No. 2
Mashbill: Not disclosed
Age: 6 years
Est. Proof: 123.6
The nose starts out with surprises such as black pepper and cocoa before honey and dark caramel elbow in. Let it rest a few minutes and golden raisins will join the fray. The palate delivers tart apple, golden raisin and honey. Tons of baking spice and white pepper play with wheat grass and toasted oak for a lively finish.
Old Ezra Single Barrel Bourbon
Mashbill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
Age: 4.5 years
Est. Proof: 110
To the nose comes surprising and pleasant notes of purple iris and shortbread backed by toasted cereal grains. On the palate it’s bright with citrus backed by tropical fruit laced with caramel and honey.
Private Selection Bourbon
Mashbill: 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley
Age: Approximate 6 years old
Est. Proof: 110 to 112
The nose on this Private Selection (*see customization notes below) is complex and entices with notes of honey, bright fruit and caramel before migrating to darker notes like pipe tobacco, molasses, bitter chocolate and horse tack. The palate aligns wonderfully with flavors of dark caramel, brown sugar, sorghum molasses, baking spice and cooked stone fruits.
Hidden Barn Bourbon
Mashbill: 70% corn, 20% rye, 10% malted barley
Age: 5 years, seven months
Est. Proof: 113
On the nose are floral and ripe fruit notes backed by cooked grain, oak and molasses. The palate is soft and easy, elegant even, laced with spice, rye bread and toasted oak.
Single Barrel Bourbon
Mashbill: 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley
Age: 4 years
Est. Proof: 107 (53.5% ABV)
On the nose campfire and oak come immediately followed by stone fruit, warm caramel and brown sugar shortly after. The palate is lively, rich and well balanced with cherry pie, mocha, caramel and maple flavors.
NuLu Maple Brulee Cask Finished Bourbon
Mashbill: 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley
Age: 7 years, 8 months old (triple oaked between a charred oak barrel, a toasted oak barrel and a maplewood “brulée” barrel)
Est. Proof: 114 proof
Maple syrup leads aromas of toasted oak, milk chocolate, mincemeat pie and baking
spice. Maple syrup carries to molasses on the palate along with dark roasted coffee, bitter chocolate, orange peel and creamed sweet corn.
Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength
Masbill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
Age: 4.5 years old
Est. Proof: 128.8
The nose is powerful and leads with classic Old Forester aromas of tropical fruit, ripe berries, cooked stone fruit, charred oak and dark chocolate. On the palate, this high-proof pour is mighty spicy with rye, baking spice, white pepper and milk chocolate battling for attention across the palate. A drop or two of water creates a slightly syrupy texture and a honeyed note.
Single Barrel Bourbon
Mashbill: 60% corn, 36 rye, 4% malted barley
Age: 9 years
Est. Proof: 111
With such a high-rye mashbill, it’s no surprise that spice leads the way on the nose. Milk chocolate, figs and dates follow in step with whiffs of fire-cured tobacco. The palate is ripe with dark stone fruits, chocolate and Demerara syrup. This bourbon’s lower-than-entry proof also delivers a rich and viscous mouthfeel. The finish is long, warm and soothing.
Penelope Bourbon Single Barrel finished with Baking Spice & Clove Stave
Mashbill: A blend of three bourbon mashbills containing corn, rye, wheat and malted barley
Age: 5.5 years
Est. Proof: 116
The nose serves up dark notes of cooked stone fruit, figs, dried flowers and campfire. Finishing staves provide pleasant and complex background notes rather than forcing spices forward. On the palate it’s well balanced between oak and sweeter notes like raisin, marmalade and honey.
Preservation Pot Distilled Single Barrel Bourbon
Mashbill: Undisclosed wheated bourbon mashbill
Age: 6.5 years old
Est. Proof: 115
The nose on this pot distilled bourbon begins with toffee, fresh-cut lumber, dark roasted coffee, dried stone fruits and baked pastries. On the palate is toasted oak, toffee, baked green apples, clover honey, roasted corn and toasted oak.
Pursuit “Tobacco Char” Bourbon
Mashbill: A four-barrel mingling of three bourbons whose mashbills comprised two rye bourbons (Bardstown Bourbon Co. [72% corn, 18% rye, 12% barley] and Tennessee Distilling Ltd. (80% corn, 10% rye, 10% barley]) and one wheated bourbon (Finger Lakes Distilling[70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% barley)
Age: 4, 5 and 6 year-old barrels
Est. Proof: 108
The nose delivers a mix of ripe and tart apples, lemon pound cake, baking spice and oak. On the palate it’s nicely balanced between oak, cedar, apple pie and baked wheat bread. The finish is pleasant, short and soft. A well balanced bourbon overall.
Rabbit Hole Cavehill Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon
Mashbill: 70% corn, 10% malted wheat, 10% malted barley, 10% honey malted barley
Age: 6 years
Est. Proof: 106.3
The nose is redolent of oak, bread crust and overripe apple. On the palate, the bourbon is tight and linear, hitting dead center with tropical fruit and ample grain before delivering vivid baking spice across the whole mouth. Its finish is medium length and remarkably creamy.
Rabbit Hole Heigold Four Grain Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon
Mashbill: 70% corn, 28% malted rye, 5% malted barley
Age: 6 years
Est. Proof: 107.7
This bourbon’s pleasantly floral nose is amplified with whiffs of cut cedar and baked bread. The palate is delicate, featuring ripe peach and apple, lemon accents and baking spices, and its finish is long, bold and spicy.
Kentucky Straight Single Barrel Bourbon Finished with Apple Wood
Mashbill: Not disclosed
Age: 5 years
Est. Proof: 121
Brown sugar leads on the nose, followed by oak, baking spice, cinnamon and rye grain. Powerful spice notes lead on palate, followed by floral character and a hint of cooked stone fruit. The finish is bright, warm and lingering.
Kentucky Straight Single Barrel Bourbon Finished in a Port Cask
Mashbill: Not disclosed
Age: 5 years
Est. Proof: 118.6
The nose opens with dark raisin, oak, cocoa and flamed orange peel, while the palate contributes floral character, bright citrus notes, dark pound cake and baking spice in the background. The finish is warm and bright.
Town Branch Bourbon
Mashbill: 72% corn, 13% rye and 15% malted barley
Age: 7 years
Est. Proof: 111.5
The nose leads with butterscotch, warmed milk chocolate, cinnamon butter and burnt orange. The palate follows with mincemeat, dried dates, demerara syrup, cinnamon toast and fruit cake. The finish is warm and easy.
Single Barrel Bourbon
Mashbill: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
Age: 6 years
Est. Proof: 129
The nose leads with honeysuckle and hibiscus flowers before leaning into baked pie crust. On the palate its proof steps in with potency. Stone fruit, pekoe tea and dark honey round out its semi-dark flavors and leave the drinker with a long, warm finish.
Single Barrel Bourbon
Mashbill: 64% corn, 24% wheat, 12% malted barley
Age: 5 years and 6 months old
Est. Proof: 119 proof
The nose begins with fresh and dried flowers, cotton candy, lemon curd, pie crust and oak. On the palate it’s creamy, rich and oaky with an undercurrent of browned butter, honey and brown sugar.
Woodford Reserve Personal Selection
Mashbill: 72% Corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
Age: 5.5 years
Proof: 91.4
For its Personal Selection Process, Woodford Reserve provides samples from three barrels. Two are chosen to be blended and released as a single bottling. Proofs on our samples ranged from 130 to 142. Our barrels’ ages ranged between 5 and 6 years old. The nose on the final blend was floral with notes of caramel and browned butter. The palate was long on mocha, brown sugar, warm pastry dough, banana and lemon curd. The finish was warm, short and barely drying.
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