It’s easy to be selective about Barrel House Select.
The Barrel House Distilling Company first opened its doors back in 2006 in Lexington, Kentucky. The opening was more of a whisper than a bold declaration, starting with the rollout of Pure Blue Vodka. Since then, owners Jeff Wiseman and Pete Wright have released a moonshine, “darkshine,” two dark rums, and then two bourbons: RockCastle Bourbon and Barrel House Select.
RockCastle Bourbon is considered to be the more premiere option of the two, as a small batch bourbon that’s bottled at barrel strength. The “RockCastle” name though has an important significance to both bourbons apparently. According to the distillery, “limestone rich” “Appalachian Mountain Spring Water” is imported from Rockcastle County, Kentucky to make their two bourbons. If that sounds odd, it’s because it is. On the one hand, limestone rich water does actually help produce bourbon and Kentucky happens to have plenty of it. And while Rockcastle County does have plenty of limestone water to go around, so does Lexington…you know, the place where the distillery is actually located. So why does the distillery import water from 60 miles south? Unclear. If the distillery has a reason (besides marketing) for it, well they certainly aren’t sharing.
Water weirdness aside, Barrel House Select rolls out at 90 proof after being selected from a tiny three barrel batch. Oak is the main profile of the smell and front flavor of this bourbon, followed by a bitter earthy flavor almost like hay and tobacco. A sharp heat burns out any chance of a flavorful finish, leaving only heat and a hint of malted barley at the end. With no age statement in sight, we’re guessing the lackluster taste of this bourbon can be partially chalked up to its youth. Or maybe it’s just the imported Rockcastle water to blame.
The Barrel House Distilling Company seems to be focused on fabricating a rich angle or storied past to help sell its bourbons. But a storied past doesn’t do much for the current flavor narrative. At its $43 price point, it’s also important to consider the competition. For that price or much less, we could get our hands on Knob Creek, Wild Turkey 101, Buffalo Trace, Benchmark, Larceny, Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, or go down the road and grab a bottle of Town Branch or James E. Pepper 1776 Bourbon.
Needless to say, there’s some stiff competition and we honestly can’t find a reason why Barrel House Select would win. Instead, when it comes to Barrel House Select bourbon, the choice of water seems to be the only selective element at work.
STATS: Barrel House Select Bourbon
- Price for us: $43 for 750 mL
- Proof: 90
- Aged: NAS
- Distillery: Barrel House Distilling Company
- Recommendation: Mixer
