The Last Call

     Single barrel picks can be some of the most rewarding bottles on the shelf, especially when a retailer takes their selection process seriously. That's exactly what drew me to this James E. Pepper Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon, selected by West Clay Wine & Spirits here in Indiana. Even more interesting, this was reportedly the very first James E. Pepper single barrel pick released for the state.      The purchase itself was completely unplanned. My wife and I happened to stop by the store while we were in the area and were offered a sample. One sip was all it took. The profile was unlike anything either of us expected. My wife immediately described it as one of the funkiest and most unique bourbons she'd tasted, and I couldn't disagree. By the time we checked out, only a handful of bottles remained, making the decision even easier.       According to information from the distillery and retailer, this barrel was just shy of s...

     Every once in a while, you stumble across a bottle on the shelf that immediately demands your attention. That was exactly the case with Watchman Barrel Strength Bourbon from  Round Barn Distillery . While doing some bottle hunting up in Northern Indiana, a stop at Bee Liquors led to spotting this deep copper-red bourbon sitting on the shelf, and honestly, the color alone sold me on taking a closer look.           What made this release even more interesting was learning that this marks a major step forward for Round Barn. Known more for wines, flavored offerings, and lower-aged spirits up to this point, this release feels like the distillery planting its flag in the premium craft bourbon world. Barrel proof. Eight years old. Distilled and bottled in-house.  For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/m3GuKqPWyFI . Age Statement: 8 years. ABV: 58.1% (Cask strength). Mash bill:  60% corn, 36% rye, ...

     There’s something undeniably classy about the new decanter lineup coming from  James E. Pepper . The bottle design alone feels like a throwback to a different era of whiskey, with that heavy decanter styling looking right at home on a back bar or display shelf. Over the last couple of years, the brand has really started expanding both its reach and its ambition, moving beyond the standard releases and diving into more premium territory with these decanter expressions.      After the success of the decanter bourbon releases and the newer single barrel offerings, the arrival of a rye version almost felt inevitable. Still, it showed up somewhat unexpectedly, and with a fairly aggressive price tag attached to it. That hesitation was real at first. At nearly $100 in most markets, this isn’t exactly an impulse buy. But curiosity eventually won out. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/p98Can3Pmgc . Age Statement: 6.3-8 y...

       There’s something exciting about finding a store pick that instantly feels different the moment you pick up the bottle, and this Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Tennessee Rye absolutely delivered on that promise. Picked by Rich out of Greentown, Indiana, this wasn’t just another random single barrel sitting on a shelf. This was one of those bottles that local bourbon groups talk about for weeks after it disappears, and judging by how quickly it sold out, people knew it was special.      Jack Daniel’s has quietly become one of the most reliable names in American whiskey when it comes to rye. A lot of people still associate the brand with Old No. 7 and whiskey mixed with cola, but their barrel proof rye program is on an entirely different level. These single barrels consistently bring bold character, heavy oak influence, and an oily richness that stands toe-to-toe with some of the best high-proof rye whiskey on the market.    ...

          When Heaven Hill announced that the very first batch of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye would become an ongoing A, B, and C batch release series, it immediately grabbed the attention of rye fans and bourbon drinkers alike. Elijah Craig’s barrel proof bourbon line already carries a loyal following, so the idea of bringing that same treatment over to rye whiskey felt like a natural next step. The hype hit hard almost instantly, especially after this release earned Whiskey Advocate’s Whiskey of the Year for 2025.      Finding a bottle turned into a hunt for many people. Shelves cleared quickly, secondary prices climbed a bit, and most drinkers were left hoping they’d eventually stumble across one at retail. That’s exactly what happened here months later: sitting quietly on a shelf at only slightly above SRP. At first glance, this bottle almost feels understated for a barrel proof release. The proof lands at a fairly low 54% ABV, and even...

     Woodford Reserve and I have had a bit of a rocky relationship lately. Revisiting some of their recent releases hasn’t exactly gone smoothly, especially when expectations and execution don’t quite line up. Then comes this barrel strength rye, a bottle that originally launched with a premium price tag but has quietly found itself sitting on shelves at steep discounts. So the real question becomes: is this a redemption story for Woodford, or just another case of hype cooling off?      This is Woodford’s true barrel strength Kentucky straight rye whiskey, bottled at a bold 62.55% ABV. The mash bill leans rye-forward with only 53% rye, giving it a better step into rye for bourbon lovers. Woodford’s use of this mash bill leans slightly sweeter than traditional high-rye recipes, and at barrel proof, it gives them a chance to showcase how their distillate holds up without proofing adjustments. It’s also worth noting this comes in a 700ml bottle, part of their ...

     There’s been a lot of anticipation around this release, and for good reason. The standard Woodford Double Oaked is one of those gateway bottles that pulls people deeper into bourbon, myself included. It’s rich, dessert-like, and widely available at a great price, making it an easy recommendation for just about anyone.      So when word started spreading in late 2025 into early 2026 that a  single barrel, barrel proof version  was hitting shelves, expectations were high. This felt like the natural next step, take everything people love about Double Oaked and turn up the intensity. But as these bottles started appearing, one detail stood out immediately: the proof.      What’s unusual here is how this “barrel proof” version is handled. Based on available information and how these are presenting, it appears the whiskey may be proofed down before going back into that second barrel for additional aging. The result is a final ABV hov...

     American Light Whiskey has quietly been having a moment, and bottles like this are exactly why. Once overlooked, this category is finally getting the attention it deserves thanks to strong releases from brands sourcing well-aged stock and letting it shine. Circle City Whiskey Company steps into that spotlight with their first American Light Whiskey release, a 20-year single barrel pick coming in at a hazmat-level 72.5% ABV. Sourced from MGP and selected as a store pick, this is one of those bottles that immediately grabs your attention both on paper and in the glass.      This expression is a single barrel American Light Whiskey distilled at a high proof, above 160 proof, and aged in used or uncharred oak barrels. That aging method sets it apart from bourbon, allowing for a more subtle oak influence even after extended maturation. At 20 years old and hazmat, this whiskey leans heavily on time and barrel interaction to develop character. With a mash bil...

       Barrell Craft Spirits has built a reputation on bold blending and creative finishing, and their Cigar Blend Bourbon immediately caught my attention the moment it was announced. As someone who gravitates toward sweeter, richer profiles, cigar-style batches tend to land right in my wheelhouse, though they can be hit or miss depending on execution. This release is bottled at cask strength, and features a blend of straight bourbons sourced from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. The blend includes barrels ranging from 7½ years all the way up to 18 years, creating a layered foundation of mature whiskey.           Where things really get interesting is the finishing. This blend is finished in a combination of Madeira, Armagnac, rum, and Hungarian oak casks. Each component plays a role in shaping the final profile, with the goal of creating a whiskey that pairs well with the richness and depth typically associated with a cigar-style pour....

     Some bottles feel different the moment you pick them up, and this one absolutely falls into that category. This Single barrel pick Oat Whiskey from Dovetail Distillery is one of those releases that immediately stands out simply because of what it is. An oat whiskey at barrel proof already pushes outside the norm, and when you add in the fact that it’s coming from a craft distillery in Nevada that distills, ages, and bottles everything themselves, it becomes something you really want to sit down and take your time with.           Dovetail has already impressed me before, especially with their Cutthroat Oat Whiskey, which ended up in my top whiskeys of 2025. Going into this one, the expectations were already high, but I was curious to see if lightning could strike twice.      What makes this whiskey so interesting starts right at the grain. Instead of the usual bourbon-style mash bill with corn and rye, Dovetail is doing som...

     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...

     Some bottles just sit on the shelf and stare at you. This one did that to me for nearly a year. Old Blue Single Barrel Cask Strength from Wood Hat Spirits was part of a group store pick here in Indiana, originally hovering near the $90–$100 mark before eventually dropping to half price. Once the price fell, curiosity finally won.      Information on this bottling is surprisingly limited. The label states that it is grown, aged, distilled, and bottled by Wood Hat, which is a huge plus in the craft world. As a straight corn whiskey, we know the mash bill is at least 80% corn, but the remaining 20% is undisclosed. There is no age statement, and barrel size is not specified. I reached out for clarification but never received a response. So we go in with what’s in the glass.      Being craft and potentially made with smaller barrels, there are a lot of variables at play. Smaller cooperage can accelerate oak influence, and with a high-corn mas...

     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...

     Still Austin has been one of those Texas distilleries that quietly keeps earning my trust bottle after bottle. Based out of Austin, Texas, they’ve been doing some genuinely impressive work in the craft space, and once their standard rye finally started showing up here in Indiana, it didn’t take long for me to become a fan. When I saw the cask strength version hit shelves, it was an instant buy, no hesitation.      Texas whiskey can be polarizing, and I get why. But I’ve personally had great experiences with Still Austin, Balcones, Garrison Brothers, and others, so I was genuinely excited to see how they’d handle a barrel-proof rye. It’s distilled, aged, and bottled in Texas, which matters because the climate plays a massive role in how these whiskeys mature. The heat accelerates interaction with the barrel, and Still Austin leans into that rather than trying to mask it. Kept at cask strength, this whiskey doesn’t hide behind filtration or dilution....

     West Fork Whiskey Company out of Westfield, Indiana continues to be one of the most interesting producers in the state, especially when it comes to creative finishes. This Hugh Hamer Street Bourbon is part of their sourced Old Hamer/Hugh Hamer lineup, pulling from MGP and finished with intention rather than gimmick. This particular bottle was a single barrel pick for the Brownsburg Bourbon Society, finished in grape brandy barrels.      Grape brandy finishes are not something you see often in bourbon, and that alone made this bottle intriguing. After tasting it at the distillery, revisiting it later with a fresh palate felt like the right way to really see if that grape brandy influence held up. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/dtLtdu2OnQg . Age Statement: +7 years. (Single barrel). ABV: 61.81% (Cask strength). Mash bill: 99% corn, 1% malted barley. Area of Distillation:  Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Appearance: ...