This is also referred to as cask strength, original proof, and entry proof. Bottled at barrel proof, Maker's Mark Cask Strength ranges from 108 to 114 proof depending on the barrels. Barrel-proof bourbon has not undergone dilution or chill-filtering. This was pretty nice and refined overall. Texas-based Still Austin is one of the distilleries convincing imbibers there's worthy bourbon outside of Kentucky. W.L. The average age of the batch ended up being 6 years, 10 months, and 10 days old when it was bottled completely as-is. 12. A bottle of Stagg Jr. is rarely found in liquor stores. Jeffersons Ocean Aged Cask Strength Bourbon. to preserve the rich and bold flavors. Small Batch Bourbon is a mix of multiple barrels blended to make a single taste profile, there isnt necessarily a mandatory minimum or maximum number of barrels that must be used to be considered small batch, but generally were talking 15-150 barrels. Its just kind of classic with a big ABV push through the mid-palate to the finish. The best glasseware for barrel proof bourbons starts with a tulip-shaped glass. The batch is made from no more than 19 barrels of whiskey. Alcohol should be consumed in moderation. Green River Full Proof Single Barrel is a single barrel of the flagship Green River recipe, a rye-forward true Kentucky bourbon with a remarkable flavor profile, the result of a mashbill comprised . There are few barrel-proof bourbons more respected than Jim Beams small batch expression of Bookers. If you can imagine the caramel, vanilla and fruity notes of Maker's Mark turned all the way up, you'd have a pretty good idea of what Maker's Mark Cask Strength is like. If you want to experience the flavor of what true American spirits are, find the best barrel proof bourbons here! It requires scientifically precise techniques applied by skilled craftspeople who understand not just how different proofs work together but how each individually affects flavor profilesall working together in harmony make a bottle of high-quality spirit worthy of your hard-earned cash! This means that no water has been added, you get it just like you would if you opened the barrel and took a sip! Ultimately, the best way to understand barrel-proof bourbon is to down a dram or two for yourself. Adding ice to your bourbon introduces water and a cooler temperature which reduces the intensity of the alcohol presence but also reduces the flavor. When served neat, this type of bourbon has concentrated flavors such as sweetness from the corn, spicy notes from the rye and nutty tastes from barley which are able to develop on the palate in balance with the high proof content. On the flip side, some distillers have achieved better results using a higher barrel entry proof. Barrel entry proof primarily ranged from 100 to 110 previously, with the taxation based on 100 proof alcohol. 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon. ] It has a wide base that quickly narrows at the top; allowing your hand to warm up the liquid on contact! If youre looking to experience the rich, complex flavors of Barrel Proof Bourbon, then youve come to the right place this article will discuss drinking Barrel Proof Bourbon the right way. This is the terminology used for whiskies that are not diluted substantially. The best barrel-proof bourbons to try right now Barrell Cask-Strength bourbon (Batch 23)92 points, 53.89%, $90 Caramel, baked marshmallow, dark cherry, and candied peanuts maker's mark cask strengthMaker's Mark Cask Strength Kentucky straight bourbon (Batch 19-01)92 points, 54.4%, $40 Chocolate, almonds, shortbread, and tobacco The history of barrel proof bourbon is as unique and varied as the bourbon makers themselves. Step 6: The distiller takes the purified ethanol through an aging process. It was deep and rewarding from nose to finish. It does not store any personal data. Garrison Brothers Cowboy is undoubtedly one of the strongest whiskeys at 133.9 proof. When it comes to enjoying barrel proof bourbon, the glass you use is just as important as simply opening a bottle. What made us love it even more, is its price. For starters, make sure to begin by having a taste of water before you sample your bourbon neat. Other barrels shine brighter with a little water added. Ultimately, this provides a more flavorful experience for those who enjoy high-proof spirits. But thats not the only amazing thing we do here! Surprisingly smooth, this bourbon retains the signature, front-of-the-palate flavors of Maker's Mark while amping up the vanilla and rich oak notes. One last note: Barrel proof When bourbon is placed into the barrel to age, it must not exceed 125 proof. Distilling and chill-filtering the aged bourbon reduces the alcohol content resulting in a drink of between 40% and 45% ABV. With 112 proof, youd be surprised to find out how savory each drop is. Most whiskey is cut with water to reduce its strength, to make it more palatable and also to increase the yield. Their impressive savoriness managed to come out and dazzle many bourbon lovers. Nose: Burnt caramel candies and lush vanilla lead the way on the nose with hints of dry straw, sour cherry pie, and spiced apple cider with a touch of eggnog lushness. Nominally, it means it's the exact liquid coming straight from the barrel, uncut with water, and that every drop of liquid in the bottle was previously in a barrel, says Paul Hletko, founder and master distiller at FEW Spirits in Evanston, Illinois. This process also enables you to taste the flavors better. At a. best bourbonpossible, which for many in the industry means proofing down. The higher proof gives more flavor notes in the liquid with each sip. However, many distillers are movingback to a lower barrel entry proofeven though production costs might rise because of it. 14 Barrel-Proof Whiskeys That Deliver Bold Flavor - Whisky Advocate This proof is often much higher than what youll find from typical commercial bottle proof as it is left undiluted from the barrel. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Wondering what barrel proof means in the bourbon world? On average, most Barrel Proof Bourbons are between 125 130 proof but can reach up to 140 150 proof (or above 70% alcohol by volume). -NDP's are Non Distiller Producers. What is the highest barrel proof bourbon. What we do know is its Cask Strength expression is 112 proof and is known for its unique flavor profile featuring notes of chocolate, oak, vanilla, and salted caramel. This allows for more flavor extraction from the wood during aging, as well as a final product with more complexity and depth on the palate. The history behind this term dates back to the late 1800s when almost every spirit was being infused for flavor. But dont overdo it! This product from Buffalo Trace does not have an age statement but should be around seven to eight years old. For 1792, that is 125-proof, still very high octane and higher than some other barrel proof bourbons. Alcohol proof [3] varies among all the bourbon whiskeys in this list, and we pay tribute to the manufacturers who bottle whiskey with its full barrel strength. Effusiveness for Frank August aside, this was a killer lineup of bourbons. There was a little jaggedness around the edges but it was barely noticeable. This is just a classic bourbon from top to bottom that has just the right amount of kick balanced out with a deeply satisfying flavor profile. Examples include Elijah Craig 24 Year Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon Whiskey and Four Roses Small Batch Single Barrel Limited Edition High Strength Bourbon Whiskey. No two Bourbon barrels age exactly. This bourbon has a complex yet defined savoriness and aroma that ends with a burst of flavors of sweet apple fruitiness with vanilla, butterscotch, and cinnamon. Ezra Brooks Old Ezra Barrel Strength Bourbon. What we love about this bottle, apart from being high proof, is that it exactly tastes how it smells. When it comes to making bourbon, the importance of barrel proof spirits cannot be overstated. Stellum Bourbon Equinox Blend #1. Nose: This is a classic bourbon on the nose with deep flavors of buttered buttermilk biscuits, salted caramel, singed marshmallow, Almond Joy, cherry cream soda, and a touch of Nutella and maple syrup. Congeners are compounds responsible fora bourbon'stastes and aromas, such as vanilla, caramel,and baking spices. You better grab it if you see it on the shelf. Based on the palate, this bourbon is a great option for sipping, but it can also be a good addition to your favorite cocktail. This results in a. distinct flavor & proof point. Stagg Jr. Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon. To help you on your boozy journey, here are 10 of our favorites right now. For example, bourbon aged in cold temperatures may end up with a lower ABV from its barrel entry proof after aging. Jefferson's Ocean Aged Cask Strength Bourbon 13. the key to barrel proof. Stagg Jr is an unfiltered bourbon with one of the best flavors at a very reasonable price. 15 of the Best Cask-Strength Bourbons For 2021 | VinePair Finally, some bourbon makers will bottle their whiskeys at different proofs depending on how they wish to market their product or match certain flavor profiles they are targetingthis can vary significantly from store shelf-to-shelf and even bottle-to-bottle! Cask strength or barrel-proof bourbon is a bourbon that has not undergone dilution after the end of its aging process. 5 Bourbon Products you NEED for your Bar! Barrel Proofbourbon may be referred to in differing ways depending on region or intended use; cask strength, overproof or navy strength are alternative terms referring to a liquid at amounting to over 100Proof (50% Alcohol by volume). Drinking barrel proof bourbon has many advantages, and its important to understand the benefits before making a purchase. What does Barrel Proof mean? Elijah Craig Private Barrel - Barrel Proof Bourbon - Virginia ABC The extra time allows for even more flavor extraction from the wood when compared to standard bourbons which generally dont age for very long before being bottled and sold. One of its best expressions is Cask Strength. 0002, Smooth Ambler 6 Years Old Founders Cask Strength Series 2022 Batch #1, Horse Soldier Reserve Barrel Strength Bourbon Whiskey. If a bourbon tastes over-oaked, it could be from phenols, which are astringent and hot. 8. A bottle of Stagg Jr. is rarely found in liquor stores. This means that no water has been added, you get it just like you would if you opened the barrel and took a sip! Barrel-Proof Whiskey Means Big Flavors - Whisky Advocate 1. Is barrel proof the same as cask strength in bourbon? The proof of bourbon straight from the barrel is a topic of much debate. This is one of the barrel proof whiskeys that have the best blended flavors. For some large distillers, the change to 125 proof meant that they could produce more alcohol in the same amount of space. That said, this works on every other level as a tasty sipper or cocktail base. Its no secret that theres an intense appreciation for barrel proof bourbons, as these crafted liquors help whiskey-lovers appreciate the subtle differences in flavor between bourbons from different geographical regions and distilleries. Larceny Barrel Proof offers a new opportunity to experience our acclaimed wheated Bourbon mashbill in its purest form: non-chill filtered and bottled at full barrel proof. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Why We Liked It: We liked that this rare full-proof bourbon has bold flavors that transition from citrusy to sweet, blended with woody, creamy and nutty tastes. Palate: The palate has a sense of spicy caramel with a vanilla base that leads to apricot jam, southern biscuits, and a flake of salt with a soft mocha creaminess.