The Private Barrel Chronicles

As most of you know, my journey started back in 2019 when I debuted "The Bourbon Library". I later changed the name to The Bourbon Whiskey Library to incorporate all whiskey. But my passion for whiskey really started a very long time ago. It was only in 2019 when I began to document my daily pours and my "Whiskey of The Day" on Instagram and Facebook. I began to research more and more and truly took an interest in the ins-and-outs of our favorite spirit. With more knowledge and of course, more bottles being added on a weekly basis, my Instagram account started to blossom. With more followers and a greater scope of the community, I wanted to continue the growth and the passion. One way I continued this was participating in Single Barrel / Private Barrel Selections.

Obviously, the time period I just described, was the start of a different time in our lives. One that limited personal interactions. So, even the thought of helping to participate in a "pick" was foreign. The easiest way was to have samples sent and to pick a particular barrel that stood out the most. But it was more. It needed to be something unique and not something that simply tasted like a "shelf item". Clearly, nothing against what's on a shelf, but the thrill of picking a barrel is to bring something extra special to the table. As I say all the time, every barrel tells a different story. As times became a bit more "normal", I found myself traveling to distilleries to pick these barrels and blends in person. Talk about an incredible experience! So let me do just that. Let me be the story teller. Libraries are a storage place for history and stories, so lets venture down this road together as I introduce a weekly segment called THE PRIVATE BARREL CHRONICLES.

I will cross post here on my personal blog and my Instagram account on a weekly basis to highlight each of the Private / Single Barrel selections I've had the pleasure of being a part of. Some weeks I'll have videos of myself talking about the "pick". Some, I'll introduce you to the Distillers and Single Barrel Managers that helped make it happen. And of course, some weeks, I'll have guests on who were part of the same selection. I / We will also go through the tasting notes. With over 50 barrels that I have my name on, the stories have added up and I can't wait to share the fun times.

I invite you to follow along on the highlights of my journey!

Oaklore Four Grain Bourbon Batch 4 - Review

The Details

Oaklore Distilling Company

Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Batch No. 004

Aged 4+ Years

Distilled in Kentucky

Produced and Bottled by Oaklore Distilling Co.

Matthews, North Carolina

94 Proof

Mashbill: 74% Corn / 5% Rye / 11% Wheat / 10% Malted Barley

Price: ~$90

Poured Neat in a Glencairn

Appearance: Chestnut

Nose: Butterscotch, Caramel Corn, Cream, Vanilla, Honeysuckle, Pear

Palate: Buttered Cornbread with Honey Drizzle, Frosted Flakes, Shortbread, Rye Spice

Finish: Sweet to Savory and Spice. Light to Medium coating and Medium Finish.

Overall: For such a young distillery, the offerings Oaklore has been releasing have been very impressive. This Batch 4, Four Grain is no exception. An amazing balance of sweet, savory and spice paired with a nice oak influence makes for a well-rounded pour. I am immediately drawn in by buttered cornbread with a slight honey drizzle. Now, I may be hungry, but that sensation switches to shortbread followed by the perfect rye "bite". Nothing sharp...the bite many rye sippers enjoy. Yes, even at only 5%.

I often say it's the people behind the scenes that make a Distillery what it is. The folks at Oaklore are truly salt-of-the-earth. I am proud to call them friends. Friendship aside, my reviews are still honest and genuine. If you happen to be in the Charlotte area, I highly suggest checking them out and grabbing a tasting and even a cocktail. You may see me there!

Check out Oaklore HERE

Library Rating: 8.0 / 10

World Whiskey Society 10 Year Wheated Edition Finished in Port Casks - Review

The Details

World Whiskey Society

Classic Collection

Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Finished in Port Casks

Single Barrel

Aged 10 Years

Distilled in Oklahoma

Bottled by World Whiskey Society - Pendergrass, GA

102 Proof

Mash Bill: 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Barley

Bottle 460 of 620

Price: $134

Poured Neat in a Copita nosing glass. Click HERE to order.

Appearance: Mahogany

Nose: Wheat, Dark Fruits - Plum, Cherry and Red Grapes

Palate: Dark Sweet Fruit forward, Ruby Port, Red Grapes, Touch of Honey, Touch of Oak

Finish: Viscous, Tannic, Medium Sweet to Dry Linger

Overall: We can't start anything without talking about the Unicorn in the room. This topper! The copper unicorn draws you in to pick up this bottle to study the stats. Age - Check. Wheated - Check. Distilled in Oklahoma - Wait, what? This is a first for me. But I, like most die-hard enthusiasts, want to try it all. I must say, the flavors balance out and create a very unique experience. I love wine, so when bourbon, especially wheated bourbon, blends with wine barrels, the flavors are often majestic. This particular expression isn't "mind-blowing", but offers up some delicious sippin' finished bourbon. The age plays in quite well with my overall impression as the oak shows itself on the backend of the palate and on the finish. Technically a unicorn, being only 620 bottles produced, and that brilliant topper tells you exactly that.

Thank you once again to the generous folks at WWS for gracing the Library with such delicious and unique offerings!

Library Rating: 8.1 / 10