The Last Call

       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.    ...

     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...