Region 5 Whiskey Single Barrel 9 Year Bourbon Whiskey Review.

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Region 5 Whiskey 9 Year Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey


    Region 5 is one of those brands that feels rooted in passion before anything else. Born from a group of bourbon enthusiasts in Indiana, they’ve started to gain traction by focusing on transparency, solid age statements, and approachable pricing. This single barrel pick, selected by the Kokomo Whiskey Club, leans into that same philosophy while adding a layer of local collaboration that’s always great to see.

    At 9 years old and bottled at 54.9% ABV, this MGP-sourced bourbon checks a lot of boxes on paper. Single barrel, cask strength, and a proven mash bill, it’s the kind of release that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but instead aims to execute the fundamentals really well.


For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/uimN7j1Lm4Y.

Age Statement: 9 years (Single barrel).

ABV: 54.9% (Cask strength).

Mash bill: 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley.

Area of Distillation: Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

Appearance: Warm caramel.


On the nose:
    Classic bourbon aromatics immediately take the lead with oak, vanilla, and caramel forming a rich foundation. The rye content brings a lively herbal spice, layered with light floral notes that give it a slightly perfumed edge without going overboard. As it opens up, deeper sweetness develops, brown sugar, a touch of brown butter, and a faint toffee richness. The oak shows its age with a gentle dryness, balanced by a subtle oily vanilla note that keeps things from leaning too tannic. 

    Baking spices begin to build, with cinnamon and clove adding warmth and structure.There’s also a soft fruit presence that rounds everything out. It’s not overly citrus-forward at first, but more of a mellow orchard fruit character, almost like lightly stewed apples or pears. With more time in the glass, that fruit begins to brighten slightly, hinting toward a restrained orange note underneath the spice.


Taste:
    The first sip brings an immediate pop of orange sweetness, bright and expressive, almost like orange candy or a splash of orange soda, before settling into the classic bourbon core of oak, vanilla, and caramel. The texture stands out right away. It has a medium-to-full mouthfeel that coats the palate evenly without feeling heavy. 

    Despite being barrel strength, it drinks approachable, with warmth that builds gradually rather than hitting all at once. As the sip develops, baking spices take shape, cinnamon, clove, and a light nutmeg note, adding depth without overpowering the sweeter elements. The rye influence becomes more noticeable mid-palate, bringing a floral, slightly earthy spice that adds complexity and keeps the profile from feeling too sweet.

Finish:
    Medium length with a steady fade. A gentle peppery note lingers alongside sweet oak and soft vanilla, giving it a slightly warming exit. The caramel note becomes more prominent here, almost taking on a whipped or creamy quality, like caramel folded into vanilla cream.  The baking spices soften but remain present enough to add structure to the finish. There’s a final echo of that citrus note, now more subdued and integrated, leaving behind a slightly sweet, slightly spiced aftertaste that invites another sip without overwhelming the palate.


Final Thoughts: 
    This is a great example of letting good whiskey speak for itself. It doesn’t chase complexity for the sake of it, but instead delivers a well-balanced, flavorful experience that works both neat and in cocktails. At around $85–$90, it offers strong value for a 9-year single barrel cask strength bourbon. While it may not reach the depth of some higher-end releases, it absolutely delivers where it counts, flavor, texture, and drinkability.


Rating: B+ (Great).

Cost: $84.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/uimN7j1Lm4Y.

Social platforms to follow me: https://linktr.ee/thelastcallyt

Learn more about Holly's Package Store via the link here: https://www.facebook.com/hollyspackagestore

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