Barrel Picks

Chasing Bourbon Partnered with a Tucson Hospitality/Restaurant Group, Union and selected a Rebel 120 Proof single barrel.

Honestly for a moderately priced bourbon this pick was exceptional. Some how we chose a barrel that had the most un-characteristic wheat profile. To be honest, I didn’t think we’d pick one as I’ve been underwhelmed by many Lux offerings. Buy wow, this is an absolute banger. Baking spice nose with a light fruit note, lots of sweet fruit on the palate that quickly goes to spicy late palate and a long, long sweet finish.

We made a sticker of Rebel Wilson, aka Fat Amy as “Tater Amy” that members could get. This was sent separately to uphold our non-mutilation agreement as none were applied to the bottles 😇

Starlight Distillery Straight Bourbon Finished in Limousin French Oak – “It’s okay, I’m a Limo Driver”

French Oak??
So What’s the Story with French Oak and this “hand selected” barrel Brian got? Sound like BS to you??

This is another question I’m getting a bunch….so let’s unwrap this

First we need to break down what “French Oak” means. For those on the West Coast it’s like saying Willamette Vally Wine or California Wine…or as broad as just saying Toyota.

Each of those examples break down more granularly to greater specifics

Like cars, wine, bolts, bikes and other things French Oak has regions that impart different flavors and characteristics

*image by Wine Follly

Bottle details:
💥 Straight Blended Bourbon
💥 5yr – 16yr Blend
💥 Sourced from MGP, Bardstown KY , & Tennessee Distilling (KY & TN are speculated was NOT confirmed as they are a NDA Source)
💥 E16K Blend Profile
💥 58.65% ABV / 117.3 Proof

A very Kentucky flavor profile with a late palette spice & sweet bomb that hits….well, like you just got hit in the face but in the best bourbon way possiable. Everyone who tried it had a wide eye “WHOA” as soon as it happened and was in love with that smack in the flavor maker

10yr sibling took 94 pts at San Francisco. I say sibling because these are the same barrel runs and this release simple was bottled 6 months later

60/36/4 MGP high rye bourbon mash bill given a secondary maturation for 12mo in a 1980’s 71gal Armagnac Cask.

The Armagnac cask was drained and dried so the previous spirit would not be added tot he bourbon. 

Elegant, complex, and evolving in your glass. Sweet nose, silky mouth feel, red fruit nots and baking spice. Dances on the palette well balanced start to finish.  long evolving finish

198 bottle yield
111.6 Proof

Having an extra day in Louisville lead to a serendipitous meeting with the owner of Old Louisville and the offer to pick a barrel. This was a surprise I was not expecting.

Old Louisville is currently a NDP (non-distiller producer) that sources some incredible stuff and the only bottle 7yr plus

I spent two days going through what they had and narrowing down what was the best example. I walked in after a 36% Rye MGP with more age than your average bottle out there

After climbing ricks to thief from every barrel we found the perfect 11yr. The right balance of nose, mouthfeel, sweet and savory flavors, oak, spice, and everything nice on the finish

Came out at 107 Proof but had the mouth way above its weight class. I feel like I take some heat (pun intended) for some of the high proof stuff I do so it was nice to find an exceptional Cask Strength at 107 that I find makes for an easy drinker

Released for sale 06-28 through www.bourbonoutfitter.com – use the discount code “chasingbourbon” for a discount at checkout
💥 UPDATE 💥 – Sold out at 3:37PM 😳

Sourced MGP

60% Corn
36% Rye
4% Malted Barley