Single barrel bourbon
Encyclopedia
Single barrel whiskey is a term that describes a premium class of whisky
in which each bottle comes from an individual aging barrel, instead of being created by blending together the contents of various barrels to provide uniformity of color and taste.
The term is most commonly associated with bourbon whiskey
. However, other types of whiskey, such as rye whiskey and malt whisky
, are also sometimes available in single barrel bottlings.
The whiskey from each barrel is bottled separately, with each bottle bearing the barrel number and in most cases the dates for the beginning and end of aging; none of the whiskey is blended, creating a unique flavor for each barrel.
Whisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn...
in which each bottle comes from an individual aging barrel, instead of being created by blending together the contents of various barrels to provide uniformity of color and taste.
The term is most commonly associated with bourbon whiskey
Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
. However, other types of whiskey, such as rye whiskey and malt whisky
Malt whisky
Malt whisky is whisky that is made from a fermented mash produced primarily from a malted grain. Unless otherwise specified, it is generally assumed that the primary grain is barley, although whisky is also made using malted rye...
, are also sometimes available in single barrel bottlings.
The whiskey from each barrel is bottled separately, with each bottle bearing the barrel number and in most cases the dates for the beginning and end of aging; none of the whiskey is blended, creating a unique flavor for each barrel.
Brands
Below is a list of some single barrel whiskeys:- Buffalo Trace DistilleryBuffalo Trace DistilleryBuffalo Trace Distillery is a distillery located in Frankfort, Kentucky. It has historically been known by several names, including most notably, the George T. Stagg Distillery and the O.F.C. Distillery. Its namesake bourbon brand, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey, was introduced...
(a Sazerac CompanySazerac CompanyThe Sazerac Company is a large privately held and family-operated alcoholic beverages company with headquarters in Metairie, Louisiana.It owns and produces a large and diversified portfolio of beverage brands, and it owns and operates a number of distilling companies...
distillery which produces several single barrel Bourbons)- Blanton'sBlanton'sBlanton's is a brand of bourbon whiskey produced and marketed by the Sazerac Company. It is distilled in Frankfort, Kentucky at Buffalo Trace Distillery....
(a single barrel Bourbon) - Eagle RareEagle RareEagle Rare is a brand of bourbon whiskey distilled and distributed by the Buffalo Trace Distillery.-History:Eagle Rare was originally a 101-proof ten-year old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey from Seagram created by master distiller Charles L. Beam...
(a Bourbon brand which has a 10 year single barrel expression) - Elmer T. Lee (a single barrel Bourbon)
- Rock Hill FarmsRock Hill Farms Single-BarrelRock Hill Farms Single-Barrel Bourbon Whiskey is a single barrel bourbon whiskey produced in Frankfort, Kentucky by the Sazerac Company. The brand is sold as a straight bourbon.It is sold in glass in 750ml bottles.-External links:* *...
(a single barrel Bourbon)
- Blanton's
- Heaven HillHeaven HillHeaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., is a private family-owned and operated distillery company headquartered in Bardstown, Kentucky that produces and markets the Heaven Hill brand of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and a variety of other distilled spirits. Its current distillery facility, called the...
(which produces Elijah Craig single barrel Bourbon)- Elijah CraigElijah CraigRev. Elijah Craig was a Baptist preacher in Virginia, who became an educator and capitalist entrepreneur in the area of Virginia that later became the state of Kentucky...
(a Bourbon brand which has an 18 year single barrel expression) - Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage (a Bourbon that is Vintage-dated)
- Elijah Craig
- Knob Creek Distillery Co. (a Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. distillery)
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (a Bourbon aged 9 years)
- Jack Daniel's DistilleryJack Daniel'sJack Daniel's is a brand of sour mash Tennessee whiskey that is among the world's best-selling liquors. It is known for its square bottles and black label. As of November, 2007, one blogger was claiming that it was the best-selling whiskey in the world. It is produced in Lynchburg, Tennessee by...
(a Brown-Forman CorporationBrown-Forman CorporationThe Brown-Forman Corporation is one of the largest American-owned companies in the spirits and wine business.Some well-known brands of the corporation include Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Canadian Mist, Early Times, Old Forester, and Korbel champagne.-...
distillery)- Jack Daniel's Single BarrelJack Daniel's Single BarrelJack Daniel's Single Barrel is a Tennessee Whiskey, that uses the Lincoln County Process. It's also a sour mash with a bill consisting of corn, barley and rye...
(a single barrel Tennessee whiskeyTennessee whiskeyTennessee whiskey is Straight Bourbon Whiskey produced in the state of Tennessee. This definition is legally established under the North American Free Trade Agreement and at least one other international trade agreement that require that Tennessee whiskey be "a straight Bourbon Whiskey authorized...
)
- Jack Daniel's Single Barrel
- Kentucky Bourbon DistillersKentucky Bourbon DistillersKentucky Bourbon Distillers , Ltd., also known as the Willett Distilling Company, is a private family-owned and -operated company that markets bourbon and rye whiskey. The company is located on the outskirts of Bardstown, Kentucky on a site that began as a farm owned by the family...
(an independent bottling companyIndependent BottlersIt has become customary for distilleries to sell barrels of whisky to blenders and independent bottlers as a means of making additional income. In fact, some distilleries exist solely to serve independent bottlers, and do not market any brands themselves....
which produces several single barrel Bourbons and Ryes)- Michter's (a brand which has single barrel Bourbon and Rye expressions)
- Willett Pot Still ReserveWillett Pot Still ReserveWillett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon is a bourbon whiskey produced in Bardstown, Kentucky by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd. . It is a Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey introduced in 2008 and bottled at 47% abv, with 8-10 year aging. It is sold in glass 750ml and 1-liter bottles...
(a single barrel Bourbon) - Willett Family Estate (single barrel Bourbon and Rye)
- Master of MaltMaster of MaltMaster of Malt is a retail seller and independent bottler of Scotch whisky and other alcoholic beverages. The company was founded in 1985, and is based in Crowborough, East Sussex, England. It began as a retail shop in the nearby town of Tunbridge Wells in west Kent.-History: Master of Malt was...
(an independent bottling company which produces several single cask Scotch whiskiesScotch whiskyScotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland.Scotch whisky is divided into five distinct categories: Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky , Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three...
)
See also
- Bottled in bondBottled in bondBottled in bond refers to American-made spirit that has been aged and bottled according to a set of legal regulations contained in the United States government's Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits Bottled in bond refers to American-made spirit that has been aged and bottled according to a...
- Single malt whiskySingle malt whiskySingle malt whisky is a whisky made at one particular distillery from a mash that uses one particular malted grain, which is ordinarily barley.Single malts are typically associated with Scotland, though they are also produced in various other countries...
- Small batch whiskey