Barrel/Cask Strength Bourbons

[awachatz]

Some of the higher proof bourbons use the terminology of being Barrel Strength or Cask Strength. I am assuming that those terms are used synonymously. Does anyone discern any differences between the two?

I seem to enjoy higher proof bourbons the most. Can anyone suggest any others to try in addition to the following:

GTS

WLW

PHC

Booker's

[hectic1]

They are one in the same...

PHC is on their 5th release and so far only 2 of the 5 have been cask/barrel strength releases so PHC wouldn't always fall into that category.

Four Roses has a barrel proof product and IMO stands toe to toe with the BTAC stuff. The one caveot to that is that the FR bottles are single barrels where the BTAC stuff is batched so you have to trust that whoever is picking the barrels has a good pallet or at least one that aligns with your preferences.

BTAC also has Handy in the collection which is a 6-7yr old cask strength rye whiskey.

There are also various Willett bottles out there that range from 2yr rye's to 23yr bourbons. I've been lucky enough to score some bottles of Willett that I would take over GTS, WLW, or PHC everyday of the week. I wouldn't discount the bourbon that they have just because the aren't HH, BT, or FR.

I hope this helps. :cool:

[HP12]

I'd have to offer Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Bourbon as another fine barrel strength consideration for the cabinet.

[bad_scientist]

I'd have to offer Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Bourbon as another fine barrel strength consideration for the cabinet.

Did you pick up a single barrel or the small batch? Maryland was selling a barrel proof Bowman, but I never looked to see whether it was single barrel.

[hectic1]

Did you pick up a single barrel or the small batch? Maryland was selling a barrel proof Bowman, but I never looked to see whether it was single barrel.

The Maryland version is a small batch bottling.

[JayMonster]

Wild Turkey Rare Breed is Barrel Strength as well (if I am not mistaken) and well regarded.

[White Dog]

Wild Turkey Rare Breed is Barrel Strength as well (if I am not mistaken) and well regarded.

The website states that, but technically it's not Barrel Strength, unless they're magically finding lots of barrels at the same proof. Same for OGD 114. Love the high proof, but there are always variations in barrels.

[Josh]

The website states that, but technically it's not Barrel Strength, unless they're magically finding lots of barrels at the same proof. Same for OGD 114. Love the high proof, but there are always variations in barrels.

I find it hard to believe too but they could always mix a bunch together to achieve a certain proof. It's NAS too, so gives them more flexability.

[Young Blacksmith]

If you watch Julian Van Winkle's interview on the Buffalo Trace Oral History website he gives a little info about SW Weller 7/107. They barreled at a low proof, around 107, and diluted just enough to get it back to 107 when bottling it. SW called it barrel strength.

Not sure what proof WT barrels at, probably around 120, but I also find it hard to believe it comes back at 108 proof. Doesn't diminish my like for Rare Breed though!

[p_elliott]

I don't know the exact proof that WT barrels at but it's less than 108 so Rare Breed is coming off the upper floors of the rickhouse. WT prides themselves on their low barreling proof.

[jaycamm]

Don't forget Noah's Mill. 114 Proof.

[cowdery]

The website states that, but technically it's not Barrel Strength, unless they're magically finding lots of barrels at the same proof. Same for OGD 114. Love the high proof, but there are always variations in barrels.

It's not single barrel, so what's the issue. Why would all of the barrels have to be the same proof? It's barrel strength if no water is added. Of course the dumped barrels don't all come in at the same proof. So what?

[cowdery]

If you watch Julian Van Winkle's interview on the Buffalo Trace Oral History website he gives a little info about SW Weller 7/107. They barreled at a low proof, around 107, and diluted just enough to get it back to 107 when bottling it. SW called it barrel strength.

Not sure what proof WT barrels at, probably around 120, but I also find it hard to believe it comes back at 108 proof. Doesn't diminish my like for Rare Breed though!

Wild Turkey barrels at 115, up from 110 a few years ago.

[JayMonster]

It's not single barrel, so what's the issue. Why would all of the barrels have to be the same proof? It's barrel strength if no water is added. Of course the dumped barrels don't all come in at the same proof. So what?

I presume his argument is that WTRB is labeled at 108.2 Proof and does not vary. Since what proof a barrel comes out at varies, that not every batch would come out at exactly the same proof. So, his belief would be that they MUST dilute to reach the exact level every time.

[nblair]

I recall seeing an advertisement about a year ago that listed the proof of Rare Breed as 108.x. Opened up my liquor cabinet and my bottle was 108.y. Can't recall the exact numbers, but they were without a doubt different. I've never had two bottles at the same time to compare. Guess that's the downfall of having a delicious and easily accessible bourbon around - I don't need to hoard it like canned goods before a nuclear attack...

[Young Blacksmith]

Wild Turkey barrels at 115, up from 110 a few years ago.

Thanks Chuck!

Now I can see how they do it, along with bringing together a bunch of barrels.

[White Dog]

I presume his argument is that WTRB is labeled at 108.2 Proof and does not vary. Since what proof a barrel comes out at varies, that not every batch would come out at exactly the same proof. So, his belief would be that they MUST dilute to reach the exact level every time.

That's exactly my point. Thank you.

[Lazer]

Wild Turkey barrels at 115, up from 110 a few years ago.

Dear Whiskey Industry,

STOP messin' with OUR whiskey!,:hot: please.:grin:

Thank you.

Lazer.

[cowdery]

And, of course, they couldn't possibly just add higher- or lower-proof barrels to the dump tank until the batch achieves the desired proof. They have to be doing something dishonest.

Never try to reason with a conspiracy theorist. I have to remember that rule.

Booker's has always been labeled with a proof range. nblair's experience suggests that Turkey is simply labeling each batch with that batch's slightly different proof, both of which are good solutions. But more likely they're trying to screw us, especially if we live in Wisconsin.

[sob0728]

From the website:

Rare Breed is a "barrel-proof bourbon," meaning it is bottled directly from a variety of barrels at the proof it reaches in those barrels, with no added water to lower the proof or dilute the flavor. This bourbon is a unique marriage of Wild Turkey 6, 8, and 12 year old stocks, which give the whiskey a rich, exceptional flavor that is remarkably smooth, considering its high alcohol content.

[bad_scientist]

From the website:

Rare Breed is a "barrel-proof bourbon," meaning it is bottled directly from a variety of barrels at the proof it reaches in those barrels, with no added water to lower the proof or dilute the flavor. This bourbon is a unique marriage of Wild Turkey 6, 8, and 12 year old stocks, which give the whiskey a rich, exceptional flavor that is remarkably smooth, considering its high alcohol content.

Maybe that's why there is so much inconsistency between batches (at least from what I've experienced). The relative amounts of each stock can change quite a bit every time a new batch is made.

[White Dog]

And, of course, they couldn't possibly just add higher- or lower-proof barrels to the dump tank until the batch achieves the desired proof. They have to be doing something dishonest.

Never try to reason with a conspiracy theorist. I have to remember that rule.

Booker's has always been labeled with a proof range. nblair's experience suggests that Turkey is simply labeling each batch with that batch's slightly different proof, both of which are good solutions. But more likely they're trying to screw us, especially if we live in Wisconsin.

Never said they were trying to "screw us." And sure, maybe they blend various proof barrels to always achieve 108.2. I would have thought they were blending for a flavor profile, rather than a proof, but hey, what do I know?

And hey Cowdery, if my posts are so full of shit, why not use the "ignore" option that you recommend to others?

[StraightNoChaser]

With an attitude like that it would be a miracle if he didn't :grin:

[sob0728]

And hey Cowdery, if my posts are so full of shit, why not use the "ignore" option that you recommend to others?

I don't mean to get in the middle of this long-standing feud and sound like Dr. Phil or anything, but White Dog, if you are so cynical about the industry and all this other stuff you need to just go somewhere else and do something that you enjoy. Quite often you let loose with some post that is the equivalent of pissing on a kid's birthday cake. We're all here to have fun and discuss bourbon/rye and you just have this incredibly off-putting negative energy to some of your posts.

It makes you sound like Cowdery talking about KBD. :grin:

[Restaurant man]

Aside from the fact that companies like wild turkey have noting to fear from regulators secretly testing and handing out major fines for slight differences in ABV percentages from bottle to bottle:

"For bottled spirits over 100 ml containing no solids, actual alcohol content is allowed to vary within 0.15% of abv stated on the label."

that is from wikipedia, so you know its true...