Last Updated on February 23, 2024 by Lydia Martin
A single barrel bourbon is a type of whiskey wherein each bottle comes from an individual aging barrel and is not blended with other aged barrels.
Nowadays, single barrel bourbon is easy to find because different distilleries offer the expression.
But if you want to taste the best single barrel bourbon, here’s the cheat sheet you must read.
Top 15 Single Barrel Bourbons (Must-Try)
15. New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon
Average Price: $54.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 55%
Why We Liked It:
New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon contains a high-rye mash bill so expect that it has sharp rye spices, caramel, and creme brulee notes. The Kentucky bourbon by New Riff Distilling is aged for four years in oak barrels and bottled without chill filtration.
Without a doubt, the single barrel whiskey of the brand is one of the most exciting bottles to explore.
It may be younger than other single barrels, but we think you’ll enjoy its complex and mature profile.
14. John J. Bowman Pioneer Spirit Single Barrel
Average Price: $49.99 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 50%
Why We Liked It:
John J. Bowman Pioneer Spirit Single Barrel is a single barrel whiskey by Smith Bowman Distillery and owned by Sazerac Company [1]. It is a triple distilled whiskey, and its aromatics and flavor differ from the traditional Kentucky bourbon taste.
The fresh herb and cherry notes of the whiskey rise out of the glass, and the subtle notes of mature oak deliver well on the nose. Also, the sweetness of ripe fruit and the prickling heat makes every sip lively.
13. Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Bourbon
Average Price: $119.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 47%
Why We Liked It:
Garrison Brothers is a special bottling from the single barrel line of the brand, and each barrel is surely special because of its cask strength and premium taste. Each barrel has its own identity from the interaction of the Kentucky spirit, Texas climate, and oak barrel.
The single barrel release of the Garrison Brothers is a Texas Straight bourbon whiskey that embodies authentic and arguably the holy grail of American whiskey.
Each barrel has pronounced notes of vanilla, butterscotch, nutmeg, and oak.
12. Michter’s 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon
Average Price: $209.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 47.2%
Why We Liked It:
Michter’s 10-Year is another notably limited and coveted single barrel Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. It has complex flavors that are fruity and bold and are revealed every time you sniff and sip.
The berry notes of Kentucky Straight bourbon remain constant throughout, and the savory and sweet spices perfectly balance the Kentucky spirit.
11. Baker’s 7-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon
Average Price: $64.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 53.5%
Why We Liked It:
No barrels of Baker’s 7-year-old are the same, and each bottling of a single barrel line is known for its unique and perfectly balanced taste. The American whiskey on each bottle is bold and full of tiny subtle details that vary per barrel number.
The single barrel Kentucky straight bourbon is a bridge between rye whiskeys and small batches of bourbon.
Included in Booker Noe’s small batch collection, Baker’s seven-year-old was relaunched in 2019, and its graceful notes of dried flower, fruit aromas, and rye spices are notable.
Moreso, the spices of mash bills ignites the palate with a sweet, nutty finish that lingers on and on.
10. 1792 Single Barrel Bourbon
Average Price: $46.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 49.3%
Why We Liked It:
Barton 1792 Distillery has done a great job in creating the finest barrels of Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskeys. Every 1792 bottle produced by the distillery came from carefully selected and tasted barrels of Master Distiller.
Each bottle of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey has rich spicier flavors, caramel, butterscotch, and toffee notes.
In 2021, 1792 whiskey won a gold medal in San Francisco World Spirits Competition because of its superior bourbon taste.
Read: 1792 Bourbon vs Buffalo Trace
9. Jim Beam Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: $39.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 47.5%
Why We Liked It:
Each bottle of Jim Beam single barrel bourbon whiskey is unique in its way- in the distinct flavor of mash bill, the personality of bourbon, and the wisdom of the Master Distiller.
Each time you break a new seal, the unique flavor profile of each batch pops on your palate.
You can compare each barrel of Jim Beam to snowflakes – no two are the same.
The rye spice shines on the palate, while caramel, vanilla, and fruity notes add richness and depth to one of the best single barrel bourbons.
8. Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon
Average Price: $66.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 55%
Why We Liked It:
Wild Turkey takes pride in Russel’s Reserve as Master Distiller Jimmy Russell (who’s been with them since 1954) personally selected each barrel, including the single barrel rye whiskey.
Each barrel of Russell’s Reserve single barrel is unique, but the rich rye spice on each batch shares the same DNA as other whiskeys.
Russell’s Reserve single barrel bourbon is a non-chill filtered bourbon known for its signature vanilla and toffee tones.
The whiskey’s intense spiciness and robust taste meet the rich oak notes, and it is best sipped neat than over ice.
Read: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs 10-Year Bourbon
7. Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon
Average Price: $287.49 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 45%
Why We Liked It:
Elijah Craig’s 18-year-old is one of the best single barrel bourbons on the market because of its rewardingly complex yet smooth taste.
It is one of the oldest age statement bourbons you can find on the market, and its content comes from one barrel only-unblended.
On the palate, Elijah Craig has a rich texture of nuts, brown sugar, maple syrup, wood, honey, and old leather.
It also has spiced vanilla, mint, and chocolate notes that do not mask up its barrel-proof.
Read: Nulu Bourbon Review
6. Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon
Average Price: $53.56 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 60%
Why We Liked It:
Knob Creek is bottled from a single barrel, and it is hand-picked based on its rack placement, the final age, and other single barrel proprietary methods.
Baring its 9-year age statement, the cask strength and balanced spices and sweetness of Knob Creek is a crowd-pleaser.
Knob Creek is one of the best single barrel bourbons with rich notes of oak, vanilla, and nuts.
On the palate, it has a hint of rum, maple syrup, and dried fruit that finishes powerfully with cinnamon, caramel, and aged wood.
5. Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit
Average Price: $59.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 50.5%
Why We Liked It:
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit is another single barrel hand-selected by Jimmy Russell for neat bourbon drinkers. It has a unique yet distinctive Wild Turkey quality with layers of rich spices and bold flavor.
Wild Turkey is one of the best single barrel bourbons on the market, known for its fuller-bodied flavor profile.
It has a layering sweetness of honey, dark fruit, and almonds with a rich vanilla flavor you cannot find on a bottle of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey.
4. Evan Williams Single Barrel
Average Price: $31.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 43.3%
Why We Liked It:
Evan Williams Single Barrel bourbon is produced and distillery by Heaven Hill Distillery-the remaining family-owned distillery in Bluegrass State.
Each bottle of Evan Williams single barrel bourbon is handcrafted for 7-8 years, and each series is marked with a vintage date and exact serial number where it came from.
Evan Williams produces one of the best single barrel bourbons on the market today.
Evan Williams single barrel has notes of caramel, tropical fruit, vanilla, and charred wood. On the palate, it has pleasant sweetness (but not as sweet as wheated bourbon) and spiciness that lingers long.
3. Henry McKenna 10-Year Single Barrel
Average Price: $69.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 50%
Why We Liked It:
Henry McKenna is one of the best single barrel bourbons that is easy to enjoy. Even at high proof, the bottled-in-bond bourbon is expressive with pecans, stone fruit, and toffee notes that make up the nose.
Moreso, it has a nice balance between flavor and alcohol that leads to long-lasting and lively sips.
Henry McKenna’s high-proof, bottled-in-bond has an elegant flavor profile made by Heaven Hill. It is hard to find bourbon because of its smooth taste and well-balanced flavor.
2. Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon
Average Price: $129.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 46.5%
Why We Liked It:
Blanton’s bourbon is named after Colonel Albert Blanton [2], the man who spent 55 years upholding whiskey traditions at what now we know as Buffalo Trace Distillery. The bourbon has amazing flavors of toasty caramel with hints of cloves and pepper.
Blanton’s was a masterpiece of Master Distiller Elmer T. Lee and has the complex flavor of citrus, vanilla, and oak.
Blanton’s is the world’s first ever single barrel brand created for the Japanese market, but it has impacted the American market until today.
1. Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: $49.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 50%
Why We Liked It:
Four Roses single barrel bourbon whiskey is made from high rye mash and bottled between 7 and 9 years.
It has a rich aroma of dried orange peel, maple, and baking spices with a not-so-overpowering palate of caramelized nuts and rye.
The single barrel bourbon has a complex flavor that is revealed through a simple process-maturation and tasting.
It is an essential whiskey with a different flavor profile that will surely please your palate.
FAQs for Best Single Barrel Bourbons
Is Single Barrel bourbon better than Small Batch bourbon?
Single barrel bourbon is better than small batch bourbon in terms of quality.
The bottling process of single barrels contributes to the spirit’s enhanced flavor notes and unique characteristics. However, in terms of availability, the latter can be better.
Why is single barrel bourbon so expensive?
Single barrel bourbons are expensive because you pay extra steps to create single barrel bottlings. It may take time to find the “right barrel.”
Also, the distillery must flush the lines after each barrel is bottled. Generally, it is more expensive as it is more exclusive and unblended. But what’s a toasted barrel bourbon?
How does the price of Naud Cognac compare to other Cognac brands?
Compared to other cognac brands, Naud Cognac is often competitively priced within its category. While it may be slightly higher priced due to its quality, it offers value for discerning cognac enthusiasts.
What factors influence the price of Naud Cognac?
The age of the cognac, the rarity of the expression, the production methods, and the brand’s reputation can all influence the price of Naud Cognac. Limited edition releases or special bottlings may also command higher prices.
Is Naud Cognac considered a premium brand?
Yes, Naud Cognac is considered a premium brand known for its exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and commitment to traditional cognac-making techniques. Its pricing reflects its status as a premium cognac producer.
Does Naud Cognac offer limited edition releases or special bottlings?
Yes, like many cognac producers, Naud Cognac may release limited edition expressions or special bottlings from time to time. These releases may command higher prices due to their rarity and unique characteristics.
Are there any discounts or deals available for Naud Cognac?
Occasionally, retailers may offer promotions or discounts on Naud Cognac, especially during holiday seasons or special events. It’s worth checking with local retailers or online platforms for any current deals.
Final Thoughts
Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey is the best single barrel bourbon you should try. It has a rich flavor profile and full-bodied and complex bourbon with a long finish.
The Four Roses single barrel bourbon has been widely acclaimed as a premium whiskey with a surprisingly smooth taste. Unblended. Pure. Unique. Hand-picked.
However, we assure you that everything on this list is definitely something to try.
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