The Last Call

     Larrikin Bourbon Company has officially made its way onto Indiana shelves in 2026, and not quietly. This single barrel, barrel proof High Wheat Rye selected by Handy Spot Liquor immediately stood out as something different. I had the chance to taste it on site alongside their bourbon pick, and it was one of those pours that makes you stop mid-sip and rethink what you thought you knew about mash bills.      Based in Kentucky, not far from  Wild Turkey , Larrikin has been transparent about sourcing while also working toward its own distillation. This particular release is sourced from Florida, which makes the profile even more intriguing with its unconventional mash bill to boot.      Larrikin, formerly known as Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company, went through a thoughtful rebrand to carve out a clearer identity. Founder Greg Keeley, originally from Australia and now based in Kentucky, is also a U.S. veteran, which adds a meaningful layer t...

     Larrikin Bourbon Company is one of those brands I had been watching from a distance, waiting for it to finally land here in Indiana. In 2026, we started seeing bottles hit shelves, along with a few store picks, including this single barrel selected by Handy Spot Liquor in Indiana. After tasting it in-store, I walked away… and then came back two days later to buy it. That alone should tell you something.      Transparency is a strong point for the brand, and on paper this nine-year, barrel proof single barrel looked promising. This is a single barrel Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at a hefty ABV and aged at least nine years. The mash bill is 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. Larrikin standard releases use the same mash bill and are also single barrels, while select barrels like this one are chosen by individual stores or groups. While the distillery is not officially disclosed, the mash bill and Kentucky origin suggest a strong possibilit...

     Craft bourbon can be hit or miss, especially when age statements are young and prices creep upward. This single barrel from 18th Street Distilling out of Hammond, Indiana came with hesitation attached. At just three years old and originally priced around $80, it was a bottle that sat on shelves until a significant price drop finally made it too tempting to ignore.       18th Street is one of those distilleries doing everything themselves. They distill, age, and bottle their own whiskey while also maintaining a strong presence in the beer world. That hands-on approach has shown promise in the past, but this bottle felt like a real moment of arrival.      This is a single barrel cask strength straight bourbon, bottled at a hefty 62.8% ABV and aged a minimum of three years. Unfortunately, transparency beyond that stops there. No mash bill details, no barrel size information, and no specifics on warehouse conditions. What is known is th...

     Backbone Bourbon Company has built a strong reputation out of Indianapolis by embracing transparency and leaning into creative sourcing. While many know them for their MGP-driven releases, they’ve never been shy about exploring whiskey from across North America and beyond. This particular bottle immediately stops you in your tracks because it challenges expectations before the cork even comes out.      This is an Irish whiskey, but the color tells a completely different story. Deep, dark, and bordering on mahogany, it looks far closer to a heavily aged double-oaked bourbon than anything traditionally associated with Ireland. That alone made this release impossible to pass up, especially knowing it came from a small, almost accidental single barrel that found its way to Holly’s Package Store.      The whiskey began its life in Ireland, aged as an Irish whiskey before being shipped to the United States. Once stateside, Backbone finished it...

     Old Hamer continues to be one of those quietly interesting labels that rewards anyone willing to slow down and pay attention. This particular bottle is a single barrel, cask strength bourbon coming in at a robust 62.2% ABV and carrying an age statement of at least 10 years. While West Fork Whiskey Company handles their own distillation and aging under other labels, the Old Hamer and Hugh Hamer lineup is openly sourced from MGP, something they are refreshingly transparent about.      What makes this release stand out is that it was hand-selected by Whiskey Weather during a barrel pick at West Fork. After tasting multiple barrels side by side, this one proved that proof alone does not dictate quality. Despite being a few proof points lower than another available pick, this barrel showed better balance and sweeter character, ultimately earning a spot on my shelf. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/AgN8fJNDpi8 . Age State...

       Journeyman Distillery has built a strong reputation in the craft whiskey world, operating out of Three Oaks, Michigan, with a newer presence in Indiana. Over the years, they’ve released some genuinely impressive bottles, even if a few have missed the mark. Their standard Featherbone Bourbon has been a consistent performer for me, so when a local Indiana chain store released a single barrel pick at cask strength, curiosity got the better of me.      Single barrels from Journeyman are not something we see every day. That exclusivity, combined with barrel proof presentation, certainly sets expectations a little higher. It’s aged in standard 53-gallon barrels and presented at cask strength. Like most of Journeyman’s lineup, it is also kosher certified, which is a significant undertaking in the production process. There is no official age statement, though this barrel was filled in 2018. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://yo...

       My introduction to Bear Wallow Distillery came years ago through their core releases, and I immediately appreciated how proudly local their approach was. They distill, age, and bottle everything in-house, relying on Indiana grains and keeping things small enough that most of their whiskey never even makes it out of their own region. That kind of dedicated local following says a lot about a distillery’s character. So when I learned they were releasing long-aged single barrel offerings near the end of 2025, I made it a point to stop by while visiting the area, and I left with this bottle in hand, excited to dive deeper.      This single barrel straight bourbon is a big step forward for Bear Wallow. Coming in at 64.7% ABV and aged 8 years and 4 months, it carries a mash bill of 65% corn, 25% wheat, and 10% malted barley. No rye at all, which allows the wheat to take a more expressive supporting role. Everything in this bottle is Indiana to the core...

    New Riff is a distillery I’ve had the chance to visit a few times, and every trip has only strengthened my appreciation for what they’re doing. From releases like their Balboa Rye and Malted Rye to the newer eight-year bourbon, there’s a clear sense of intention behind their portfolio. While the eight-year rye didn’t fully hit the highs I was hoping for, it was still a respectable pour. This single barrel straight rye caught my attention when local Indiana store picks started popping up on sale, making it the perfect excuse to finally explore New Riff’s single barrel program.      This particular bottle carries an age statement of four years and four months, offering a bump in both proof and maturity compared to their standard bottled-in-bond rye. New Riff is refreshingly transparent with their production details, and this single barrel rye is no exception. The mash bill comes in at 95% rye and 5% malted rye, which effectively makes this a 100% rye whiskey u...

     Penelope has been on a real tear lately, and 2025 feels like the year they simply refused to miss. Their track record with MGP distillate has been impressive, but this collaboration with T8ke immediately stood out. Take has long been a respected reviewer and a guiding hand in the r/bourbon community, so hearing he was teaming up with Penelope made this an instant “must buy.”      The bottle itself looks regal, with a noble blue label that feels elevated without trying too hard. And once I learned this was a blend of five to seven-year-old bourbon finished in Sauternes casks at barrel proof, I knew this was going to be something different. Sauternes is a French dessert wine known for its sweetness and expensive barrel costs, so expectations were set high before the cork even moved. Amusingly, this is listed as a “single barrel” despite yielding 900 bottles. Whether that’s a massive cask or loose interpretation, the end result is what matters, and T8ke r...

        Penelope has been on a roll lately, especially since settling under the MGP umbrella, and their recent limited releases have been grabbing attention for good reason. Marshmallow Toast debuted in late 2024 alongside the Cream Brûlée Architect in 2025, and each showcases Penelope’s knack for pulling highly specific flavor profiles from single barrels. I missed the excitement of batch one, but batch two found me at the right moment during my travels, and at a reasonable price. As a longtime Penelope fan and a lover of toasted bourbons, this release had me genuinely excited.      Batch one appears to have been closer to four years old, making batch two a slight age upgrade. The whiskey is then finished in heavily charred No. 3 casks, designed to coax out toasted sweetness, vanilla creaminess, and the “marshmallow toast” character they’re aiming for. The transparency behind this release only adds to its charm, Penelope lets you know exactly how...

     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. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/HFEgS_q-STU . A...

     Some bottles rise from obscurity overnight, and Smokeye Hill is one of them. When Fred Minnick gave this Colorado-based brand his seal of approval in 2024, their bourbons vanished from shelves faster than you could say “secondary markup.” But now that the hype has settled, prices have dropped, and I finally got my hands on a bottle.          Though Smokeye Hill operates out of Colorado, the whiskey itself begins life at MGP in Indiana. What makes it stand out is the unique mash bill, a blend of blue corn, yellow corn, rye, and barley, a departure from MGP’s traditional recipes. After distillation, the spirit makes the journey west to Colorado, where it’s aged and bottled. That blue corn addition immediately caught my attention. From my experiences, blue corn adds a unique mouthfeel and texture to the whiskey. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/akdEKHO9w4o . Age Statement: 5+ years. ABV: 67.1% (Cask strength...

     Every once in a while, luck strikes in the bourbon aisle. That was the case when I stumbled across Old Forester’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon, sitting almost unnoticed on the shelf with only a couple bottles left. My relationship with Old Forester is an odd one, I’ve never gone deep into their core lineup, but I’ve had great experiences with their store picks, limited editions, and the famous Birthday Bourbon. This bottle was one of those rare finds I just couldn’t walk away from, especially knowing how quickly Old Forester’s barrel proof offerings vanish in my market.      This particular single barrel comes is drawn from Warehouse K, floor five. Warehouse K is known for running hot, which often brings bold character to the whiskey. And as with all single barrels, each release will vary, but that unpredictability is part of the fun. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/bkkadI5q3AU . Age Statement:  N/A (Sin...

     Peerless has never been shy about pushing bold, barrel proof whiskey with a style all their own. Their sweet mash process, eye-catching bottles, and dedication to non-chill filtration have earned them a loyal following, myself included. I’ve long been a fan of their Double Oak Bourbon and Rye, and when I heard a toasted version was hitting the shelves, I knew I had to track one down. Originally a distillery-only release, Batch 03 finally made its way to Indiana, and thanks to my buddy Rich over at Holly’s Package Store, one found its way into my hands.      Peerless takes the extra-labor route of sweet mash fermentation, fully emptying and cleaning the fermentation tanks between every batch. It’s a slower, more meticulous approach, but it allows each batch to develop its own unique fingerprint. This release takes their Kentucky Straight Bourbon and finishes it in toasted barrels, a technique that can coax out deeper vanilla, caramel, and spice tones....

     Tonight’s pour is a special one, not just for the whiskey itself, but for the lore wrapped around it. From Augusta Distillery comes Buckner’s 15-Year Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon, picked by Preet Liquor. This isn’t just any pick, this is what many in the enthusiast community affectionately (and cryptically) refer to as a “Buff Turkey.” And yes, I know that sounds like something you’d toss on the smoker come November, but stick with me.      Now, Augusta Distillery has been steadily making noise with their Old Route 8 release and a growing lineup of sourced bourbons at varying ages. Personally, I never hopped on the Route 8 hype train, price point and timing just didn’t line up for me. But what they’re doing now with their single barrel offerings is turning heads, and this Preet Liquor pick had me curious. For the record, I trust Preet Liquors they’ve been around, and they’ve got a great reputation. So, when I saw this online, I figured it was wor...

     Log Still Distilling has always been a bit of a mystery with two separate projects, Monk's Road coming out of Kentucky and Rattle and Snap sourced from Tennessee. This single barrel, barrel proof Tennessee whiskey checks in at a hefty 59.125% ABV and has been aged for at least five years. I’ve been a bit skeptical lately after trying a Monks Road barrel pick that felt overpriced and underwhelming, but when my local store had a last bottle of this Rattle and Snap barrel pick, I figured I’d give it a shot. The mash bill remains a mystery, which is a bit frustrating, but the label confirms it’s gone through the Lincoln County charcoal filtration process that Tennessee whiskeys are known for. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/APxv6tWXZIg . Age Statement: 5 years (Single barrel). ABV:   59.125% (Cask strength). Mash bill: N/A. Area of Distillation:  Tennessee. Appearance:  Light golden oak. On the nose:    ...

     There’s something comforting about pouring a glass from a distillery you’ve grown to trust. Tonight's pour comes from Backbone Bourbon Company, right here in Indiana, and if you've followed along for any amount of time, you’ll know I have a soft spot for them. This single barrel, uncut straight bourbon comes in at a bold 63.8% ABV and boasts over 8 years and 8 months in the barrel. Backbone’s approach to transparency and craft has always stood out to me. Whether it's sourcing, blending, or just having fun with good whiskey, they don’t hide behind gimmicks, and that earns my respect every time.      Backbone doesn’t play coy about their whiskey’s origin. This one is sourced from MGP, proudly stated both on the bottle and their website. Again, this is a barrel proof, single barrel expression, meaning no dilution, no blending, just one specific barrel chosen for its character. This particular single barrel was selected by my buddy Rich over at Holly’s Pac...

         There’s something about  Hard Truth Distilling Co.  that always pulls me in. They are aging, distilling, and bottling their own spirits in southern Indiana, constantly proving that the state is more than just a sourcing hub. This particular bottle, a Single Barrel Straight Rye finished in a Maple Brûlée barrel, somehow got lost in my collection after I picked it up in early 2025.       What immediately stands out is the story. I’ve always believed the journey behind a whiskey matters just as much as what’s in the glass, and this one has a journey worth telling. It was first aged in new charred American oak for over three years before being transferred into a truly unique finishing barrel.      Those finishing barrels began as ex-bourbon casks that held bourbon for 7 to 9 years. After being dumped, they were shipped to Quebec and used to age maple syrup for a year. From there, they traveled to Bristol Map...

          Every once in a while, a whiskey crosses your path that makes you stop mid-pour just to admire what’s in the glass. Backbone Bourbon Company has been on a roll with their big, unapologetically bold releases, and tonight’s pour, the Old Bones Rye Whiskey Single Barrel, is a true statement piece. Bottled at a jaw-dropping ABV and clocking in at 20 years old, this Indiana-sourced rye proves that Canadian whiskey can still pack a punch when given the right treatment.      This particular barrel was selected by Rich over at Holly’s Package Store in Greentown, Indiana. One of those passionate folks who just knows how to find liquid gold. Backbone’s transparency has always been one of their strong suits. This whiskey originates from a distillery outside Montreal, Canada, where they sourced a rye recipe that leans heavier on corn than the usual rye mash bill, resulting in a more buttery, rounded character. Once the whiskey hit at least 15 y...