Bourbon is aged in large, usually multi-story warehouses called rickhouses. A single barrel bourbon is a limited production product, meaning it is made from barrels that are purposely selected for this purpose. These barrels are often at least 4 years old and are usually bottled at 90 proof or higher. Single barrel bourbon is not bottled from the same barrels as all other bottles of the same brand. It is not blended with whiskey from other barrels. Instead, the process is a bit more complicated.
Single Barrel Production
When the distiller decieds that a barrel is ready for bottling, a sample of the whiskey is taken from the barrel. This sample is used to create a new barrel that has the same flavor profile as the barrel used for sampling. This new barrel is then used to create a new sample, which is then used to create a new barrel with the same flavor profile. The process continues until the sample is consistent with the flavor profile of the original barrel. This process is repeated until the whiskey reaches the desired taste profile.
While the process may seem a bit involved, it helps make sure that single barrel bourbon is consistent with the taste profile of the original barrel. This consistency is one of the reasons single barrel bourbon is so popular.
How to choose a single barrel bourbon
Age
Proof
There is a lot of debate about the best proof for single barrel bourbon. Some people prefer their bourbon nice and hot, bottled at 100 proof or more. Others prefer it less boozy, at 90 proof or less. The proof of a single barrel bourbon will be listed on the bottle. Go grab a couple, and find your preference.
Price
Single barrel bourbons are typically more expensive than their blended counterparts. This is because they are produced in smaller batches and are more difficult to produce. Expect to pay anywhere from $35 to $100 retail for a good bottle of single barrel bourbon.
Brand
I love sampling single barrel picks from distilleries that aren’t my favorite. Why? You never know when you will be pleasantly surprised by a brand that you might have written off. For example: Jack Daniels Old No. 7 is best mixed with sugary Coca Cola, but their Single Barrel Rye is a sippable gift from the gods. Hit your local spot and try a new one today!
What's the best single barrel out there?
Many people would consider Blanton’s, a product of Buffalo Trace Distillery, to be near the top of the list. Introduced in 1984, it makes a claim as the first single barrel sold commercially, and has developed a remarkable cult following over the years. Sadly, most of us will never see a bottle of Blanton’s. Fortunately, many other distilleries have put out some amazing single barrel offerings between 1984 and today. You can find 1 or 2 of my favorites here. Go try one for yourself!