Single Barrel Bourbon

How is Single Barrel Bourbon made?

Single barrel bourbon starts with the same mash bill and distillation process as regular bourbon, but here's where things get interesting - instead of blending whiskey from multiple barrels to achieve consistency, distillers handpick one exceptional barrel that's developed its own unique character during aging. Each barrel ages differently depending on its location in the rickhouse, with factors like temperature fluctuations, humidity, and wood grain creating distinct flavor profiles that can't be replicated. The contents of that chosen barrel get bottled without any blending or mixing, giving you a one-of-a-kind whiskey that represents a specific moment in time and place.

How do you drink Single Barrel Bourbon?

Single barrel bourbon deserves your full attention, so most enthusiasts reach for it neat or with just a splash of water to open up those complex flavors that make each barrel unique. While some folks enjoy it on the rocks, you'll rarely see anyone throwing back shots of a premium single barrel expression – that's just wasteful. When it comes to cocktails, single barrel bourbon shines in spirit-forward drinks like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, where its distinctive character can still come through without getting lost in a sea of mixers.

How do I choose good Single Barrel Bourbon?

When selecting a single barrel bourbon, start by considering the distillery's reputation and ask about the specific barrel's age, char level, and warehouse location—barrels aged on higher floors typically develop more intense flavors due to temperature fluctuations. For sipping neat, look for barrels with tasting notes that appeal to your palate, whether that's fruit-forward, spice-heavy, or oak-driven profiles. If you're planning to mix cocktails, choose a barrel with robust flavors and higher proof that won't get lost when combined with other ingredients—a spicier, more aggressive single barrel often makes an exceptional Old Fashioned or Manhattan.

Nutritional Information

Typical Calorie Range per Ounce: 64-70 calories

Typical Carbohydrate Range per Ounce: 0 grams

Typical Sugar Range per Ounce: 0 grams

Typically Gluten Free: Yes

Single barrel bourbon gets distilled from a grain mash that often contains wheat or other gluten-containing grains. The distillation process removes gluten proteins, making most bourbons safe for those with gluten sensitivities. That said, production methods can vary between distilleries, and some people with severe celiac disease may still react to certain whiskeys. Always check the specific product information and consult with the distillery if you have concerns about gluten content.

Scrolled this far? Your reward? Single Barrel Bourbon Trivia!

1. Each barrel can lose up to 40% of its volume during aging – but single barrel bottlings often come from the barrels that lost the most liquid. Why? Because concentrated doesn't always mean better, but the barrels with higher angel's share often develop the most complex flavors. Distillers specifically hunt for these "thirsty" barrels that the warehouse environment hit hardest.
2. The same mash bill in barrels stored just three feet apart can taste completely different – temperature swings, humidity levels, and even the direction the barrel faces in the rickhouse create unique aging conditions. Master distillers have found barrels from the same production day that aged so differently, blind tasters assumed they came from different distilleries entirely.
3. Some single barrel bourbons are actually "married" from multiple barrels – legally, producers can blend several barrels together as long as each barrel meets the single barrel selection criteria. This practice, called "small batch single barrel," lets distillers create consistency while maintaining the single barrel designation. The consumer rarely knows unless they ask directly.
4. The char level inside your single barrel was likely chosen by a computer algorithm – modern cooperages use software that analyzes wood grain density, moisture content, and tannin levels to determine optimal char levels for each stave. Your "handcrafted" single barrel spent time getting customized treatment based on data points most distillers never even see.
5. Single barrel bourbon can legally contain up to 2.5% added water and flavoring – while most producers don't use this allowance, the TTB permits small additions for "standardization." Some craft distilleries add tiny amounts of older bourbon or even neutral spirits to single barrels that taste too aggressive. The bottle will still read "single barrel" as long as the majority comes from one container.