9 Single-Barrel Bourbons to Drink Right Now

Among the spirits we drink today, bourbon has one of the most fascinating histories in the United States. Distilled since the 18th-century, it has ascended from humble origins to become one of the most sought-after (and beloved) drinks today. 

These days, store shelves are stocked with a wealth of styles of the spirit, from craft distilleries to popular mass brands. The diversity is great. But labeling can become confusing, with terms like single-barrel, double-barrel, cask and more. Among them, single-barrel is regarded as one of the most coveted styles. So, what does it mean and why does it matter?

A Brief History of Bourbon

Bourbon is a very specific type of whiskey that must be made with at least 51% corn in its mash bill and aged in charred oak barrels. Its precise origins are unknown, with a number of people laying claim to its invention. 

One legend, relays Heather Greene in Whiskey Distilled: A Populist Guide to the Water of Life, is that savvy businessmen called their whiskey “bourbon” to make it more appealing to French immigrants in Louisiana. Another is that the spirit was named after a Kentucky county that produced a lot of the spirit. There’s also the popular tale that a Baptist minister named Elijah Craig invented it. 

Regardless, there’s no denying that Kentucky remains the epicenter of the bourbon world. Today it produces 95% of the world’s supply, though contrary to what some may believe, it can be made anywhere in the U.S.

In 1964, bourbon became congressionally recognized as a “distinctive product of the United States.” But as Reid Mitenbuler explains in Bourbon Empire: The Past and Future of American Whiskey, the recognition happened because lobbyists in the distilling industry wanted to boost their business. “Like no American product, bourbon embodies capitalism—a word that’s dirty to some, beautiful to others, but has nonetheless shaped our political and cultural life,” writes Reid. 

Which brings us to the many ways that bourbon has become the subject of innovation and experimentation over the centuries: distillers have continually experimented with every element that goes into bourbon—namely its mash bill, yeast and barrels, which make the most difference—to produce a better tasting spirit or make inroads into the market. 

All About the Barrel

Just as winemakers will use different types of oak barrels with various levels of toast to age their wine, distillers will select certain barrels to achieve a specific effect on their bourbon. The char better enables the spirit to absorb different flavors, which range from vanilla notes to earthy tobacco or leather and even fruity aromas. 

When the term “barrel” shows up on a label, it can mean slightly different things.

For example, “single-barrel” means that all the bourbon in the bottle came from the same barrel. One barrel typically yields less than 200 bottles.

When a bourbon is labeled double-barreled, it means that it has been aged in two separate charred oak barrels, which helps distillers achieve the flavor they want. The phrases “double casked” and “double oaked” are also used to mean the same thing. 

To Dixon Dedman, founder and master blender of 2XO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the barrel is one of the most useful tools in his craft bourbon-making kit. He makes single-barrel double-barreled bourbon, which means that he uses two barrels for each bottling and the bourbon in each bottle comes from the same two-barrel set. His American oak series features butterscotch, nutty and spicy notes while his French oak series has hints of caramel, coffee and cinnamon. 

“The barrels are all unique, so it’s kind of like a treasure hunt to find ones that agree with your personal palate,” Dedman says. “Some are fruity and spicy. Some are very rich and almost syrupy.” 

The Rise of Single-Barrel Bourbon

So, how did the bourbon world get all of these terms? They’re often used as a mark of distinction. 

The popularity of single-malt Scotch inspired the introduction of “single-barrel” bourbon in the 1980s. Blanton’s, released in 1984, was the first. At the same time, there was a boom in sales overseas of single-barrel brands. The market followed and more distillers began to introduce this style. 

But buyer beware: The term single-barrel isn’t regulated so some brands use this on their label even if it isn’t true.

“Unfortunately, over the last several years, the term ‘single barrel’ has become more of a marketing term,” Dedman says. He explains that while some larger producers are indeed bottling from a single barrel, they’re also choosing to bottle bourbons that all taste consistent, eliminating the uniqueness that might make a drinker seek out a single-barrel bourbon in the first place. “There is no longer any nuance to the individual selections,” Dedman continues. 

While some larger producers might value uniformity in the bottles they sell, smaller distillers are keeping with the spirit of the style. “The trend in the smaller brands and micro-distillers towards selecting off-profile or unique barrels for their single barrel programs excites me,” Dedman adds. “Truly leaning into the individuality of barrels and showing their uniqueness by bottling them individually is kind of coming back.”

Below, we rounded up some of our highest-rated single-barrel bourbons that are all excellent introductions to the style. 

Puncher's Chance The Undisputed Single Barrel Bourbon

This is a blend of five- and six-year-old high-rye bourbons. Expect a mild almond aroma and drying palate that mingles maple, tobacco and oak. Adding water brings out a nutty midpalate, plus a mocha tone. The long and warming finish adds a clove and black-pepper tingle. 90 points. — Kara Newman 

$60.99 Caskers

Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Bourbon

Enticing vanilla bean and caramel aromas lead to a substantial, warming palate. Oak dominates at first, framed by milk chocolate, vanilla and creamy caramel. Adding water dials back the oak and scrambles flavors to suggest cocoa, hazelnut and a hint of pecan pie. Each sip finishes drying, with a burst of alcohol heat. This is a single barrel, made with all New York State grains (corn, rye, malted barley) and aged four years. 95 points. — K.N.

$54.99 Fort Hamilton

King of Kentucky Single Barrel 2023 Release

Oak and roasted coffee aromas lead into a robust palate showing red fruit and stone fruit, espresso and vanilla. The drying finish is accented by cinnamon red-hot candy sizzle. This is a single barrel high-rye bourbon, aged 16 years. Limited release of approximately 3,800 bottles. 92 points. — K.N. 

$2,399 The Bourbon Concierge

Hinterhaus Calaveras Cask Strength Single Barrel Reserve

This wine-finished bourbon shows a russet hue and sweet vanilla bean aroma. The drying palate opens with bold espresso, red fruit and oak. Adding water unwinds a long, complex finish that cycles through clove, cinnamon bark, sandalwood and grapefruit peel. 93 points. — K.N. 

$77 Hinterhaus

Rare Character Single Barrel Series Bourbon Selected by Vintage Corks

This is big, bold and complex. Confectionary tones (vanilla, dark chocolate, caramel) lead into a mellow, nutty midpalate, then fade into a gentle ginger and clove glow. This is a one-off single barrel bottling selected by restaurateur and bar owner Pablo Moix. It’s a real sweet spot of a whiskey, aged about seven years and bottled at cask strength. Pour over ice and sip a while. Barrel #HR7-3164. 97 points.  — K.N.

$Varies Rare Character

Koval Single Barrel Bourbon

Koval has made a name for itself by making whiskeys with unusual grains. This bottling, made with 51% corn and 49% millet, also fits the bill. The aroma is mild and nutty; the palate is bolder, by turns nutty, hoppy, chocolaty and spicy. Adding water draws a pleasing hazelnut tone forward and elongates the spiced finish. Certified organic. 89 points. — K.N.

$51.99 Caskers

Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon

Due to inventory shortages, this bottling had been discontinued; in fall 2015, it returned after a three-year hiatus. This is a robust, full-flavored whiskey, scented with oak and toffee. It tastes almost like an Old Fashioned, meaning distinct orange peel and cherry notes intertwined with the vanilla and caramel. The long finish offers vanilla, oak and orange peel. 15,000 bottles released. 95 points.— K.N.

$310.99 Caskers

Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon

Relatively smooth for 100 proof, this light, silky Bourbon shows bold vanilla and toffee, plus a mouthwatering baking spice finish. It’s a good sipper with an ice cube, or mix into a top-flight old fashioned. 93 points. — K.N.

$223.99 Caskers

Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

Bold and well structured, this Bourbon features warming vanilla and caramel accented by orange peel, stone fruit and a dry baking-spice finish. Sip it with a chunk of ice, or mix up a round of juleps. The trademark round, faceted bottle with the horse-topped cork is perfect for Derby Day. 96 points. — K.N.

$155.99 Caskers

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