Out of Many . . . One.

[AaronWF]

But what in the world does small batch single barrel mean?

It means exactly the same thing as Single Barrel, since as you said, Small Batch means nothing. It's just kind of a dumb name.

Definitely a dumb name. What I gather in their thinking is that they are taking a small batch of single barrels and bottling them. Now if you call it single barrel small batch (as I've seen written on Hirsch labels like the 22yo rye), are you saying you're gathering a bunch of single barrels and batching them together for bottling? It's all doublespeak.

Then you have something like PHC7 which is labeled as single barrel with no identifying info on the barrel. Without barrel identification, isn't the whole point of single barrel nullified? The point of single barrels being an opportunity to learn that two barrels aging side by side filled on the same day with whiskey distilled in the same run from the same mash can turn out drastically different.

[Yeti]

It's just kind of a dumb name.

That's the nicest thing anybody has ever said about that bourbon.

[portwood]

What about the liquid remaining in the vatting tank and pipes when switching form one batch/barrel to the next.

Surely they don't clean the equipment completely between bottling runs.

Sooooo, the first bottle(s) in every batch or "single barrel" will contain some whisky from the previous batch/barrel... just adding fuel to the fire.

[squire]

I believe it will contain a little of the previous barrel. No reason to go to the labor expense of purging and recharging the pipes, we're not painting the Mona Lisa here.

[black mamba]

As well as the RR cited above, the KCSB is Single Barrel Reserve Small Batch. I think what they are trying to convey is that they only select a small batch of single barrels. It does seem dumb to me, but maybe they don't want you to think that they are just bottling single barrels all the time, that they are in fact, honey barrels.

[mbroo5880i]

What about the liquid remaining in the vatting tank and pipes when switching form one batch/barrel to the next.

Surely they don't clean the equipment completely between bottling runs.

Sooooo, the first bottle(s) in every batch or "single barrel" will contain some whisky from the previous batch/barrel... just adding fuel to the fire.

I have read somewhere that some retailers request their private selections of OWA be bottle immediately following a ORVW run. Not sure what difference it makes.

[squire]

Not a whit that most could tell, still it's a good story.

[theglobalguy]

Not a whit that most could tell, still it's a good story.

Especially if they tell it tied to a non-BT product.

[MauiSon]

As well as the RR cited above, the KCSB is Single Barrel Reserve Small Batch. I think what they are trying to convey is that they only select a small batch of single barrels. It does seem dumb to me, but maybe they don't want you to think that they are just bottling single barrels all the time, that they are in fact, honey barrels.

I'd guess the 'single barrel small batch' name comes from the practice of some retailers dividing bourbon into categories, such as 'small batch' and 'single barrel'. With both in the name, the product may be found under both categories (out of one product. . . many listings).

Edited January 7, 2014 by MauiSon

[squire]

Could it be someone in the marketing department really doesn't know?

[mbroo5880i]

I can see someone with a Powerpoint presentation going through the slides in the marketing meeting. Slide One - It is a small batch, so we will call it "small batch." Slide Two - People really like the idea of single barrels, so we will call it "single barrel." Slide Three - It is really a small batch of single barrels, so we will call it "single barrel small batch." Crowd..."genius!" They all clap.

[squire]

Then go have a latte because they're all teetotalers.

[MyOldKyDram]

I could go for a FrappuccinOGD myself.

[smokinjoe]

Then go have a latte because they're all teetotalers.

Of course, they ran the name by Legal, but got no response, because they were out having the most fantabulous and newest $27 6X distilled by Artesians vodkas on the rocks...

[sailor22]

Nice visuals guys. Now I'm picturing a marketing/pr department of a major drinks company as a structure for a new sitcom.

[squire]

More like a soap opera of Bourbon Family Dynasties.

[Flyfish]

I'd guess the 'single barrel small batch' name comes from the practice of some retailers dividing bourbon into categories, such as 'small batch' and 'single barrel'. With both in the name, the product may be found under both categories (out of one product. . . many listings).

I noticed that Total Wine classifies some straight bourbons as "blended whiskey." Evidently what they mean is that it is not single barrel. Maybe. Or maybe it is just difficult for the staff to keep up with the technical distinctions when they sell such a broad spectrum of liquid goods. Still....

[squire]

Make a computer game for inventory control and they'll get it.

[Ravensfire]

Make a computer game for inventory control and they'll get it.

They made one in 1983 - Tapper!

-- Ravensfire

[luther.r]

They made one in 1983 - Tapper!

Ha, I loved that game as a kid but I was never very good at it.

[DEelfinn]

I know Hillrock estate does a solera bourbon. Has anyone tried them?

[The Black Tot]

Ha, I loved that game as a kid but I was never very good at it.