Backbone Bourbon Co. American Single Malt Review.
Backbone Bourbon Co. American Single Malt Review.
There are certain releases that instantly grab your attention, and this Backbone Bourbon Company single barrel American single malt was one of them. As soon as news broke about a hazmat-level American single malt with an extremely limited yield, I knew I had to try to get my hands on one. Backbone has earned my trust over the years through transparency, thoughtful sourcing, and some genuinely standout single barrels, so this bottle already had a lot going for it before the cork was ever pulled.
This particular barrel was selected by T8ke, a well-known figure in the whiskey community and the mind behind the r/bourbon community. After tasting through several options at Backbone, this was the barrel he couldn’t walk away from. With a final yield of just 68 bottles, it was never going to be an easy find. When I got the chance to purchase one, there was no hesitation.
Age Statement: 7 years and 3 month (Single barrel).
ABV: 71.1%. (Cask strength).
Mash bill: 100% malted barley.
Area of Distillation: California.
Appearance: Deep read oak.
On the nose:
On the nose:
The first impression is surprisingly gentle for something bottled at over 71% ABV. There is no harsh ethanol presence at all. Instead, the nose opens with sweet, oily oak layered with herbal and eucalyptus notes. A tropical character emerges quickly, bringing pineapple and sweet cream into the mix. Char, pepper, and earthiness round things out, with a faint hint of instant coffee lingering in the background. It is rich, complex, and completely unexpected for a single malt at this proof.
Taste:
The palate delivers on everything the nose promises and then some. Cocoa-forward maltiness leads the charge, bringing a soft, almost beer-adjacent character that recalls single malts from New Holland or Dragon’s Milk. Charred oak, vanilla, caramel, and spice follow, joined by herbal eucalyptus notes and flashes of tropical fruit. Dark fruits begin to emerge with subsequent sips, leaning into plum and fig territory. Despite the proof, it drinks closer to the mid-60% range, with warmth but no aggression.
Finish:
The finish is long, rich, and deeply satisfying. Powdered cocoa becomes more pronounced, blending with spicy oak, caramel sweetness, and a nougat-like texture. The profile teeters into dessert territory, evoking something akin to a Milky Way Midnight bar, with dark chocolate and sweet nougat lingering well after the sip. It coats the palate beautifully and invites slow, contemplative drinking.
Final Thoughts:
At around $100, this bottle is nothing short of a steal. It delivers complexity, balance, and uniqueness that far exceed its price point, especially given the rarity and proof. The fact that it never drinks hot is what truly elevates it. This was not bottled for shock value; it was bottled because it was ready.
There are no flaws here. It is bold, expressive, and unlike anything else I’ve tasted in the American single malt space. While it’s fun to imagine what another few years in the barrel might have done, this whiskey is exceptional exactly as it is.
Rating: A+ (Perfection).
Cost: $99.99 for 750ml.
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