Single Barrel Bourbons

Unlike "small-batch," the phrase "single-barrel" has real meaning. A single-barrel bottling is made from one barrel and bottled without mingling the bourbon with any other barrels. Single-barrel bottlings can be different from barrel to barrel, as each barrel offers different flavors depending on where it was stored in the warehouse and a variety of other characteristics, such as age and natural differences in the wood. Introduced to the world in 1984, Blanton's was the first single-barrel bourbon on the market. Many others exist now, such as Elijah Craig 21-year-old, Wild Turkey's Kentucky Spirit, and Eagle Rare. Elijah is the oakiest, smokiest of the three. Turkey's Kentucky Spirit has more chocolate and spice richness. Eagle is a good middle ground between the two, balancing 10 years in oak with a caramel smoothness. There is no relation to the phrase "single-malt" aside from the fact that both connote quality.