KC Single Barrel Select vs. Reserve?

[Raptix09]

What's the difference between these two labels? Both are single barrel and I know the select is store pick.  But are there other attributes that distinguish 'Reserve' vs. 'Select'?
Thanks

[Limegoldconvertible68]

I thought I knew my bourbon but I have to say you’ve stumped me. I’ve yet to buy one of the new label KC’s so all the bottles I’ve had are “reserve”. I’m curious to hear from others. 

[flahute]

Reserve appears to be the standard label single barrel that shows up in stores. 

Select is a barrel actually picked by a private group or store that gets bottled for them exclusively.

[Raptix09]

21 minutes ago, flahute said:

Reserve appears to be the standard label single barrel that shows up in stores. 

Select is a barrel actually picked by a private group or store that gets bottled for them exclusively.

I get that but here's where my newbie mind goes.. On the KC website for the 'Reserve' it says "Hand chosen barrel" and for 'Select' it says "Chosen by your most trusted retailers".  Me thinks this is code for it's all the same juice out of a single barrel.  Call me jaded but I suspect the 'Select' process goes something like this:

 

KC: You guys will get a custom sticker and don't worry about anything.  We'll pick out your barrel.

Retailer:  Roger Wilco

 

So now there is this perceived notion of something unique when it's really all the same stuff. Sure, I would expect barrel variance but in my tiny brain a distiller has XYZ number of barrels they have allocated for these two labels and is not splitting hairs between either labels.

Edited March 11, 2020 by Raptix09

[CardsandBourbon]

I've actually done a KC barrel pick.  They give you 3 barrels to choose from.  You can also have a specific name put on the bottle for your pick.  I got to choose and went with "Tell Her Noe".  The reserve is just a barrel that comes off the rack that has already been selected by the Master Distiller to be a KC SiB.

[flahute]

55 minutes ago, Raptix09 said:

I get that but here's where my newbie mind goes.. On the KC website for the 'Reserve' it says "Hand chosen barrel" and for 'Select' it says "Chosen by your most trusted retailers".  Me thinks this is code for it's all the same juice out of a single barrel.  Call me jaded but I suspect the 'Select' process goes something like this:

 

KC: You guys will get a custom sticker and don't worry about anything.  We'll pick out your barrel.

Retailer:  Roger Wilco

 

So now there is this perceived notion of something unique when it's really all the same stuff. Sure, I would expect barrel variance but in my tiny brain a distiller has XYZ number of barrels they have allocated for these two labels and is not splitting hairs between either labels.

As someone who has done multiple KC barrel picks, I can tell that your theory is not how it works.