In the 18th century, a Swiss Mennonite farmer by the name of John Shenk settled his family near Pennsylvania's Blue Mountain Valley. After a few years of hard work and long hours, Shenk was harvesting more grains that he could sell at the local market. As a result, Shenk purchased a still and began distilling the excess grains he harvested into whiskey. His distillery, which was eventually named Michter's, became the United States first distilling company. The passage of Prohibition in 1919 forced Michter's, along with nearly every other distillery in the United States, to close. In the early 1990s, however, Joseph J. Magliocco teamed up with Richard Newman in an effort to resurrect the brand. When we set up our whiskey program for Michter's, says Magliocco, Dick and I wanted to get back to the cost be damned roots and produce the finest whiskey possible. Our goal was to show that whiskey made in the United States could be the equal of great whiskey made anywhere in the world. Michter's award-winning US1 Sour Mash Whiskey is the cornerstone of this Toasted Barrel Sour Mash Whiskey, made by taking Michter's US1 Sour Mash Whiskey and aging it for an additional period of time in a secondary bespoke barrel. This custom made barrel is assembled from 18-month air-dried wood before being toasted (not charred). Several different levels of toast were carefully evaluated for the second barrel before the Michter's production team led by Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson decided on the final bespoke cask that would best display the elegant nuances of this special whiskey. Pick up your bottle today!

The principal author of the Declaration of Independence and one of the most illustrious founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson was elected the third President of the United States in 1800. During his tenure as President, Jefferson authorized the purchase of the Louisiana Territory, dispatched Lewis and Clark westward to explore the remainder of the continent and repealed the Whiskey Excise Tax. After Jefferson retired from public office in 1815, he often tended to the garden that he had cultivated at his Monticello estate. At the time, it was customary for wealthy farmers, including Jefferson, to make their own garden spirits. Each farmer's spirits were unique and reflected their personal tastes and the local terroir of their farm. Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey is crafted by Chet and Trey Zoeller in honor of Jefferson and his experimental nature. While the Zoellers were inspired by Jefferson, their roots can be traced back for generations deep into Kentucky's bourbon history. Launched August 2018, this Jefferson's Reserve was created in collaboration with the Independent Stave Company, a family-owned cooperage in Missouri. To create this expression, a 10-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon is finished in bespoke charred barrels coopered with grooved staves, which create an increase in the surface area inside of the barrel.

Lovingly handcrafted and aged in Kentucky, Pinhook Bourbon was established in 2014 and has produced several small batch bottlings in their newly restored Castle & Key distillery in Frankfort, KY, to much critical acclaim. What makes their line unique is the brand's three distinctive characteristics: its limited availability, mass appeal and strong ties to Kentucky's legacy of horse racing. Each release of Pinhook Bourbon is named after a thoroughbred owned by Bourbon Lane Stable. The label also features the horses racing records on their brand's website. Every fall Pinhook features an annual vintage of Pinhook Bourbon and Pinhook Rye, each of which is inspired by a thoroughbred horse. Each blend is as unique as the horse on the label. Pinhooking refers to an old Kentucky term for purchasing young thoroughbreds, holding them until they mature, and selling them when they are ready to run. Successful pinhooks much like whiskey - are made on instinct, experience, an appreciation of quality, and a little luck. Pinhook bourbons and ryes are handcrafted to reflect the richness of the Kentucky soil and the character of its beautiful horse country. Limited to a blend of only 65 barrels, this Rye Humor Cask Strength release is the first edition of barrel proof straight rye whiskey from Pinhook. Blended by Sean Josephs at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, KY the average age of the barrels is around 4 years old. You can expect deep and dense aromas of dark chocolate, candied black licorice, and vanilla extract, followed by robust flavors of raisins, tobacco, cinnamon stick, and sarsaparilla.

We partnered with small and large producers across the country to select whiskeys that express the full diversity of American terroir and style. The resulting blend is remarkable, and we are proud to be the first to showcase the growing category of American single malt in this way. 

We chose the name “American Vatted Malt” as an homage to the old Scottish category of vatted malt, which was once the preferred nomenclature to describe a blended whisky made entirely from single malts. Today, the Scots refer to that style as blended malt, but affection for the term “vatted” lives on.

As a new category, American single malt producers are notoriously creative, looking to their local environment and regional traditions to create distinctive whiskeys. That meant the blend was a challenging one technically, as it asked us to bring together a plethora of unique components. Never before have we strived to balance the distinctive tang of Southwestern mesquite smoke with the sweet and creamy maltiness of malted barley, or contrast briny coastal peat with the warm vanilla character of toasted oak. The resulting blend is complex and multi-faceted, rewarding the drinker with unfolding layers of flavor. 

This first release of American Vatted Malt was years in the making, as many of the components in the blend come from emerging distilleries that have never traded or sold bulk whiskey before. The physical and logistical work of sourcing and blending with a group of small, independent producers is neither easy nor short, but we believe it lays the groundwork for a new, exciting, and collaborative future. Some of our collaborators have asked to remain anonymous, but the core group of participants includes:

•    Balcones Distillery, Waco, Texas

•    Hamilton Distillers Del Bac, Tucson, Arizona

•    MGP, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

•    Harvest Distillery, Valatie, New York

•    Santa Fe Distillery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

•    Kings County Distillery, Brooklyn, New York

We look forward to continuing to work with this group of innovative whiskey producers while searching out new partners for future releases of Barrell Craft Spirits Vatted Malt. In addition to expanding our ever-growing portfolio of spirits, this new project is an important step in advancing our vision of the next chapter of whiskey in America. 

AWARDS​

Whisky Advocate rating of 88

A tale of passion

Nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Cotswolds countryside, the Cotswolds Distillery was born from a dream to produce delicious spirits in one of the most beautiful regions in the world.

From hedgefunds to HEDGEROWS
It all started back in 2014, when our founder Dan, a native New Yorker and whisky connoisseur, had moved to the Cotswolds after working in finance in London for many years. Seeking to leave behind that world and spend more time in the picturesque countryside of the Cotswolds with his family, it eventually dawned on him that he could combine his love of whisky with his desire to start a new business. A dedicated whisky fan, Dan saw the fields of golden barley around his house in the Cotswolds and had a brainwave ‘I suddenly thought, there’s barley all over the Cotswolds and nobody’s distilling it, let’s be the first!’ Having found a derelict site near his house, he set about building a distillery and a team to run it, and the doors of the Cotswolds Distillery opened in July 2014.

Launching our WHISKY
After three years of eager anticipation, in October 2017 we released our Cotswolds Signature Single Malt Whisky, the first whisky ever to be distilled in the Cotswolds and the one which remains at the heart of our DNA. In the years since its launch, we have expanded our range of single malt whiskies to include our Cask Collection comprising four unique cask expressions, a yearly limited edition Hearts & Crafts series drawing inspiration from the Arts & Crafts movement, and hand-picked single cask releases.

Our Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky is a marriage of carefully selected and blended sherry casks and features in our Cask Expressions Collection. Each yearly batch is unique, drawn from the finest American and Spanish oak hogsheads and butts, some of which have been seasoned with dry Oloroso sherry and others with sweet Pedro Ximénez. All have been sherry-aged through their full maturation for a deeper and more flavourful whisky. Full of dried fruits, chocolate and a touch of spice.

Part of our Cask Expressions Collection, our Cask Strength Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky is aged exclusively in our founder Dan's favorite casks: STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred) ex-red wine barriques. These highly active casks were created by our mentor and renowned whisky consultant, the late Dr. Jim Swan, and give a rich and intense maturation to our fruity new make spirit, offering strong notes of toffee, chocolate and red fruits, as well as a beautiful, deep color. 

CAREFULLY SOURCED INGREDIENTS

Malt: 100% locally grown, traditionally floor malted barley from the Cotswolds.

Yeast: Two complementary varieties - Anchor and Fermentis - to ensure good yields and excellent fruity flavors.

Water: Village water supply - filtered, softened and demineralized before use.

Wood: STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred) American oak ex-red wine casks, designed by the late Dr Jim Swan.

TASTING NOTES

NOSE: Dry hay and cut wood, with dark chocolate and dried figs, and plums in sweet syrup.

PALATE: Warming cereal and toast notes, with lots of fresh red fruits and butterscotch.

FINISH: Hints of spicy oak, lots of dried fruit and a lingering nutty, dry note.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Best enjoyed on it’s own, but we don’t believe in rules when it comes to drinking whisky – sip this neat, over ice, in a cocktail – however you like!

The NOBUSHI are an order of elite warrior samurai descendants who have preserved teachings and wisdom handed down to them for generations. Nobushi Japanese Whisky is comprised of whiskies from the Miyagi and Nagano prefectures. It's a blended whiskey with great balance and fine velvet textures, surrounded and represented by a resplendent golden-amber color. These spirits are then mixed and aged for 3 to 4 years in American oak casks. Be ready for rich notes of flowers, summery fresh fruits, and spices on the nose. Expect a fruity, full-bodied, and winter spice flavors combined with light hints of caramel and vanilla on the palate.

A celebration of Oregon's legendary brewing culture, this whiskey grew out of our longstanding cask-trading tradition among a select group of beer producers in the Northwest. For as long as we've been making whiskey, we've traded our freshly-emptied barrels with some of our brewing friends in and around the Northwest, who have in turn "seasoned" them with Stout before returning them again. Our Stout Cask Finish begins with our Westward American Single Malt, and is then aged for one year in Stout casks.

About the Brand

Saint Cloud is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Crafted by Ray Walker using his unique perspective and vision from making Grand Cru wines in Burgundy, France. Ray excelled in making wines of character. His signature was blending hard work, tradition and an unrelenting pursuit of beauty through simplicity.

His focus is to bring a unique vision to the Kentucky Bourbon landscape, based on exceptional quality. Saint Cloud is a labor of love, created to bridge the connection to Ray’s family which dates back in Kentucky since the start of the nineteenth-century.

While in France, Ray made appearances on Anthony Bourdain’s, “No Reservations”, as well as in publications such as the New York Times; Bloomberg; BusinessWeek; USA Today; LA Times; The Economist; New York Journal of Books and many more. He also wrote the LA Times Bestselling autobiography, “The Road to Burgundy” detailing his move from a career in finance in California to making critically acclaimed Grand Cru wines in the famed region of Burgundy, France.

We believe Saint Cloud Kentucky Straight Bourbon to be truly unique. Our focus is to present the highest quality experience to the true whiskey connoisseur, without compromise or limitation. Our bourbon is a culmination of years of effort, planning and execution with one goal in mind - your enjoyment.

The current release from Saint Cloud is two Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbons. Both are bottled at full barrel proof, uncut and unfiltered. Every barrel is different, encouraged to express its own unique story. The Blue label Single Barrel is aged for Seven years. The black label Saint Cloud Kentucky Bourbon has been aged for Thirteen Years.

Founded by Daniel Barnes, Treaty Oak whiskeys are a fusion of scientific method and innovation.Their modern approach to traditional distilling and aging processes coupled with meticulously selected local ingredients yield a high-quality spirit using custom-made stills. Treaty Oak whiskeys are made using pure Hill Country limestone spring water.They source organic, heirloom corn varietals from Panhandle farmers and mill them at James Brown's bespoke Barton Springs Mill. Treaty Oak Distillery is named after the famous 500-year old tree in Austin, under which Stephen F. Austin signed agreements defining the borders of Texas.Their ginsare called Waterloo, after the original name of Austin. They moved to Dripping Springs, a place with a rich history of gatherings and shared perspectives. All of their Char 3 barrels are sourced from Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky. One of the defining points of their process is that they toast the barrel before they char creating a better caramelization of the oak. Central Texas has a very different climate than Kentucky and other areas producing bourbon. The wide swings of temperature and humidity allow for a maturation that is specific to the weather of the hill country.Their non climate controlled rickhouse was designed to showcase the dynamic climate. Named after their 28-acre ranch home in Dripping Springs, Texas, Ghost Hill Bourbon is a unique whiskey made with local heirloom grains from Barton Springs Mill. A genuine grain to glass bourbon, it is mashed, fermented, distilled, barreled, aged 2 years and bottled on-site at our Treaty Oak Distillery. Ghost Hill is a Bourbon born of years of purposeful experimentation.

Founded by Daniel Barnes, Treaty Oak whiskeys are a fusion of scientific method and innovation.Their modern approach to traditional distilling and aging processes coupled with meticulously selected local ingredients yield a high-quality spirit using custom-made stills. Treaty Oak whiskeys are made using pure Hill Country limestone spring water.They source organic, heirloom corn varietals from Panhandle farmers and mill them at James Brown's bespoke Barton Springs Mill. Treaty Oak Distillery is named after the famous 500-year old tree in Austin, under which Stephen F. Austin signed agreements defining the borders of Texas.Their ginsare called Waterloo, after the original name of Austin. They moved to Dripping Springs, a place with a rich history of gatherings and shared perspectives. Central Texas has a very different climate than Kentucky and other areas producing whiskey. The wide swings of temperature and humidity allow for a maturation that is specific to the weather of the hill country.Their non climate controlled rickhouse was designed to showcase the dynamic climate. Red-Handed Rye is sourced from the Schenely Distillery and aged 10 years at 100 proof. This rare gem boasts of young green pepper with a hint of pear and green apple, balanced by a mild caramel and rich spice finish. The result is a unique and complex drinking experience. 

Old Elk Distillery was founded in 2013 by Curt and Nancy Richardson (creators of OtterBox and Blue Ocean Enterprises) in Fort Collins, Colorado. The label is a collaboration with Master Distiller Greg Metze, they consistently produces top quality handcrafted vodkas, gins and bourbons. Named Colorado Distillery of the Year"" by the New York International Spirits Competition for two consecutive years (2016-2017) Old Elk Distillery produces Old Elk Bourbon, Dry Town Gin, Dry Town Vodka and Nooku Bourbon Cream and their all-new Peanut Butter Flavored Whiskey. Crafted from nostalgia, this whiskey is made from premium whiskey and infused with three different peanut flavors. Great on its own or in your own creative cocktail.

Situated in the heart of the Speyside region of Scotland, Dufftown is known as the Whisky Capital of the World. The village, which produces more malt whisky than any other town in Scotland, is home to seven distilleries, the oldest of which is Mortlach Distillery. Mortlach's signature distillation method processes the liquid exactly 2.81 times a complex technique. This fifteen-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is finished in ex-bourbon casks, delivering bold, smooth notes of vanilla and spice on the palate. The smash-hit series Game of Thrones has teamed up with spirits giant Diageo, to create a collection of rare Scotches inspired by the royal Houses of Westeros. In honor of the Emmy-winning show, these iconic whiskies serve as must-have collectibles for Game of Thrones and Scotch adorers. This Mortlach single malt is inspired by the three-eyed raven. Presented in a metallic gold canister featuring an illustration of the Three-Eyed Raven, the design pays homage to the King of the North Bran Stark, who served as the Three-Eyed Raven and granted independence of the kingdom of the north. Called Six Kingdoms Mortlach Single Malt Scotch Whisky, is the ninth and final bottling to join the Game of Thrones-inspired range. This whisky delivers a fruity character with bold, smooth notes of vanilla and spice. Best served neat, over ice or with a dash of water, which develops the fresh fruit character.

Founded ten years ago by California surfer Rodney Rod Cegelski, and Aussie Hamish Hammer Marshall, Rod & Hammer Bourbon is an American classic. It's aged two years in new American oak barrels to a deep amber color. The result is a smooth and mellow whiskey with hints of caramel, roasted nuts, corn, and vanilla when tasted neat. Founded to handcraft spirits with purified Pacific Ocean water, the story of Slo Stills began in 1988 at the Slo Brew brewery. In 2012 they distilled and aged their first whiskey, a rye beer mash made in the original Garden street copper kettle. Dried & malted grains such as corn or rye, are milled to expose the starch contained within. Water is added to create a mash and is cooked to convert starches into sugars, forming a liquid called wort. Yeast is added to the wort in fermenting tanks to convert the sugars to alcohol, resulting in a beer. This beer is transferred to a still and heated, causing the alcohol to vaporize and separate from the water & solids. The resultant spirit is then transferred to charred new American Oak barrels to mature from 6 months to 2 years or more. This Rod & Hammer Bourbon is sweet and smokey on the nose with notes of caramel and vanilla on the palate. The finish is smooth with sweet corn.

American Freedom Distillery was founded by four ex-Green Berets. Currently, they're building the distillery in St. Petersburg, Florida. For now, Horse Soldier Bourbon is distilled in Columbus, Ohio. Days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the USA deployed a small team of Green Berets mounted on horseback. These brave men are honored today by theAmerica's Response Monumentat Ground Zero. This bourbon honors the small unit, nicknamed the Horse Soldiers. Their story was depicted in the 2018 movie 12 Strong, as well as the CNN documentaryLegion of Brothersand the American Response Monument located at Ground Zero in New York City. Made in the heart of America with pride and patience, this Horse SoldierStraight Bourbon is distilled from a mash of 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% barley, using water from limestone aquifers carefully filtered for purity. The spirit is matured for at least 2 years in new, charred American oak casks. Enjoy it in a range of cocktails, sipped neat or over ice.This bourbon is non-chill filtered, well-balanced, and robust with a mellow finish.

The first release in the series combines whiskies with contrasting characteristics, but which come from the same distillery. Even single malts benefit from blending.

FLAVOUR PROFILE

A malty and creamy character develops into notes of ripe orchard fruits and delicate oak.

Belle Meade Reserve is the premium expression of the multi-award-winning Belle Meade Bourbon, crafted to meet the growing demand among aficionados for elite, high-proof bourbon. 

Our distillers identify certain superior barrels from the Belle Meade inventory and combine them into separate batches that yield a richer, more robust, higher-proof bourbon that compounds and enhances the character, flavor, and feel of its source. This painstaking process ensures that each small batch of Belle Meade Reserve will be utterly singular, and singularly pleasing. 

Belle Meade Reserve is a bold, high-rye-content bourbon ideal for those who appreciate the finer points of the distiller’s art, but equally accessible to anyone who enjoys the taste of whiskey straight from the barrel. Its strong, supple flavor distinguishes every glass—whether you serve it neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of water. And where other bourbons might recede when combined with mixers, Belle Meade Reserve’s high bottling proof and mouthwatering flavor ensure that it will enliven any cocktail. 

AWARDS

Whisky Advocate “Top 20 Whiskies of 2018” (#10)

TASTING NOTES

Though the selection process guarantees a certain degree of batch-by-batch variation, every bottle of Belle Meade Reserve is rich and full-flavored, showing vanilla, caramel, spice, and stone fruits.

Kentucky Owl was founded by Charles Mortimer Dedman, a local pharmacist, in 1879. After marrying his wife, Dedman was given a large parcel of land on the banks of the Kentucky River, as a wedding gift from his adopted father who was a local town judge. C.M. Dedman Distillery was established here on the banks of the Kentucky River, producing "The Wise Man's Bourbon" under Distilled Spirits Plant Designation "No. 16", one of Kentucky's original distilleries and part of a booming industry. Kentucky Owl achieved much success and production continued until Prohibition halted distillation. The family-run facility was no match for the "forces of teetotalism, temperance and eventually, the Feds." In 1916, Prohibition left several local distilleries with ample reserves of bourbon. As for Kentucky Owl, approximately 250,000 gallons of bourbon were left over in various stages of aging. Today these reserves would be worth about $40 million in inventory. After Federal agents descended on the Dedman's distillery, the bourbon was seized and shipped up the river by barge to the state capital in Frankfort for "safekeeping" in a warehouse. Kentucky Owl 10-Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Batch #3 features citrus, orange juice, grapefruit, oak, anise, and barbeque spice on the nose. The combination of barrel sweetness, caramel candy, creamy vanilla, toffee, and hazelnut coat the palate before moving into a finish of licorice, absinthe, nutmeg, and a mild flash of cayenne pepper. The 10-year old stocks in this Rye #3 deliver a richer, thicker, syrupy mouthfeel. 

Kaiyo is a Japanese Mizunara oak aged whisky. What makes this spirit so special is the bespoke oak barrel selection. Mizunara oak is some of the most expensive wood available. The impeccable character of the wood imparts distinctive notes onto every spirit. However, its delicate wood grain nature makes it quite challenging to cooper. Kaiyo whisky is aged in handmade, bespoke Mizunara oak casks. These barrels are crafted from slow growth, air-seasoned wood from hand-selected trees. After the whisky is aged, it is finished at sea, imparting even more distinctive character to the spirit. This unique sea voyage departs from Osaka Japan, and the journey can take up to 3 months. This whisky gets its exquisite character first and foremost from the Mizunara oak. The oak's lactones ratio and vanilla impart sweet, spicy, exotic notes of incense, sandalwood, and coconut. Other notes like ripe dried fruits, and subtle hints of cherry appear all throughout the nose and palate.

In 2018 Mike Paladini and his wife Kerry had a daughter named Penelope. Their bourbon label was created in her namesake. Founded alongside Danny Polise, Polise and Paladini case distill and age their product in Indiana at MGP using the expert blending and bottling assistance from Castle Rock in Kentucky. This award-winning enterprise currently has two bourbons under their belt, their flagship four-grain straight bourbon, and their barrel strength. This Penelope Straight Bourbon is a blend of 3 bourbon mash bills sourced from MGP Ingredients, Inc. comprised of four grains (Corn, Wheat, Rye, and Malted Barley) non-chill-filtered, the barrels it's rested in have a #4 char while the heads have a #2 char. This approachable bourbon has an impeccable balance that has earned it several accolades, including a Double Gold Medal at the SIP Awards. Pick up your bottle today!

Forty years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, George A. Dickel was born in a rural town in eastern Tennessee. By 1867, Dickel was an established Nashville merchant but moved his family to the city of Tullahoma (situated in south-central Tennessee), where he purchased the Cascade Hollow Distillery. After working tirelessly at the distillery, Dickel declared that his spirits were of equal quality to the finest scotch, and followed in the Scottish tradition of spelling whisky without an "e." While George A. Dickel Distillery was forced to close its doors as a result of Prohibition, it was rebuilt in 1958 by Master Distiller Ralph Dupps. To ensure the whisky's authenticity, Dupps obtained the original manuscripts in which Dickel detailed his unique recipe and distillation processes. Today, Master Distiller John Lunn carries on the tradition of excellence that has made Dickel whisky a symbol of quality for over a century. George Dickel's newest 13-year-old limited release is bold and balanced. At 100 proof, George Dickel Bottled-in-Bond can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks in addition to being well-suited for many of your favorite cocktails.