2022 NCBS Barrel Picks
01
Stellum Bourbon
Barrel# Vega D2
Barreled: 2016
Bottled: 2021
Proof: 118.4
Mash Bill: MGP High Rye - 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley.
Named: Make My Day Stellum
Nose: light floral and honey notes.
Palate: buttery maple syrup, some dried fruit jam, and the rye come through with light herbal tea notes.
Finish: mild upper palate spice that fades and the returns, hints of pepper corn.
On a late July 2021 evening, the NCBS Barrel Selection Team was able to spend the afternoon sampling some Stellum Bourbon barrel samples. These were all MGP High Rye varying in proofs from 109 to 118.
As we continue to look for new and exciting things for our Society, it was an easy decision when the folks from Barrel Craft Spirts asked us if we want to try these samples. Of course the selection team wan not expecting the likes of a 10 or 15 year MGP; however, was presently surprised by the profiles offered. Vega D2 stood out as nice battle between the up front buttery and herbal notes against the spice at the end. Cheers!
02
Old Forester Barrel Proof
Barrel# 6169
Barreled: 26 July 2017
Wearhouse: G - 1st Floor
Proof: 123.8 (when sampled)
Mash Bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% barely.
Named: Alright, Aright, Alright
Nose: buttery, marshmallow.
Palate: viscus yet creamy, toasted caramel, marshmallow, some black pepper.
Finish: long toasted notes, sweet to start then the spicy of the pepper comes in.
On 21 October 2021, the NCBS Barrel Selection Team went to Old Forester and had the opportunity to work with Tyler Mirt again on selecting another great Old Forester Barrel Proof Single Barrel.
This visit included three offerings, from three different warehouses. All three of the proofs were in the 124 range with traditional Old Forester notes; however, each had there own personality. The team had a tough time (wanted all three...) and had to blind them to make the selection. We hope that you enjoy it!
03
Wild Turkey Charity Bottle
Barrel# 21-0995 Floor 3, Warehouse K
Barreled: 21 December 2012
Bottled: 17 November 2021
Proof: 110
Named: NCBS Charity
Nose: nice floral and malted cereal notes.
Palate: baked goods, hints of maple syrup, light notes of toffee and dried fruits.
Finish: begins with the dried fruits, walks away with a little spice at the end.
13 June 2021, the NCBS Barrel Selection Team was able to spend the afternoon sampling some Wild Turkey Bourbon barrel samples. You might remember that this was the same pick as the MOGWAI bottle.
Unfortunately, the 2nd barrel that the team selected was a short barrel. So short, that Wild Turkey said that they could not sell it to us. We explained that we needed this barrel for our annual charity event. It was at this point the Eddie Russell said he would pick a barrel for us and make sure that it would arrive before the event. Eddie did not disappoint us and keep his word!!! Additionally, JoAnn Street came to the Charity Event to represent Wild Turkey and this Charity Bottle.
04
Smooth Ambler Andy
Barrel# 24554
Barreled: 12 November 2015
Bottled: January 2022
Proof: 112
Mash Bill: 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% barely.
Named: Andy - Ambler On
Nose: fruity.
Palate: baked goods, dried fruit, hints of plum.
Finish: smooth, like a 90 proofer, yet complex.
05
Smooth Ambler KUMITE
Barrel# 24460
Barreled: 12 November 2015
Bottled: January 2022
Proof: 119.2
Mash Bill: 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% barely.
Named: KUMITE
Nose: baked goods but not sweet.
Palate: stone fruit, honey, semi-sweet chocolate.
Finish: great mouth feel, packs a heavy spice punch... so in this case the barrel defiantly hits back.
On 5 March 2021, the NCBS Barrel Selection Team went to Smooth Ambler and had the opportunity to work with Andy Robinson again on selecting two great Smooth Ambler Old Scout Barrel Proof Single Barrels.
This visit included eight offerings. We wanted all eight barrels; however, narrowed it down to two. These two selections are so different, it is hard to believe they are the same age and same mash bill. One is laid back, yet mischievous. While the other one is ... well, like a KUMITE match. We hope that you enjoy them!
06
Smooth Ambler Rye
Barrel# 16853
Barreled: 2016
Bottled: 2022
Proof: 111.2
Mash Bill: MGP 95% rye, 5% malted barely.
Named: NCBS Rye
Nose: dilly rye, toffee, black tea, vanilla and dark fruit.
Palate: caramel, dilly rye, complex spice (hints of mint, clove, nutmeg), caramel with a bit of vanilla cream and some dark fruit.
Finish: complex and long, has a dilly spicy the walks away slowly leaving dark choco and vanilla notes.
This barrel is such a treat. Back on 4 August 2020, when we selected the SOAS Salute to Service bottle for The Unit Scholarship Fund, we also had the opportunity to check out the current stock of Rye barrels. Although Smooth Ambler had not started their Rye Single Barrel Program back up, we found one that was AMAZING and placed an NCBS sticker on it... just in case the program did come back.
Over the next couple of years, each time the we stopped in at Smooth Ambler to pick a new single barrel bourbon barrel we would also check in on the Rye Barrel. Finally the Rye SiB program was back up and running and in the late spring of 2022, we pulled the trigger and bottled this gem. Cheers!
07
1792 Full Proof
Barrel# 7295, Floor 6, Warehouse H
Barreled: 17 March 2014 (3.5 Char)
Bottled: May 2022
Proof: 125
Mash Bill: 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% Malted Barley.
Named: Lucky 214
Nose: dark notes of leather and oak.
Palate: complex, pecan or walnut, toasted oak.
Finish: long legs of dried fruits with a spike of spice at the end.
Sometimes you get lucky. Today's lucky number is 214. NCBS was lucky enough to have a member win the opportunity for a private barrel pick during the annual Buffalo Trace lottery. This opportunity turned into a great single barrel of 1792 Full Proof. On 15 March 2022, the NCBS Barrel Selection Team went to Barton 1792 Distillery for a tremendous experience. Our host was Sadie Franklin. She gave us a great tour and some great barrels to pick from. It was a crisp morning, although we warmed up fairly quick once we opened up some barrels...
For those that do not know, Barton 1792 Distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the oldest fully-operating Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Situated in heart of bourbon country on 196 acres, the Distillery boasts 29 barrel aging warehouses, 22 other buildings including an impressive still house, and the legendary Tom Moore Spring and is named in honor of the year Kentucky joined the United States.
Hope you get the chance to visit them on your bourbon journeys. Cheers!
Checking in
Looking for a winner
Winner
Checking in
08
Smooth Ambler Rye
Barrel# 32037
Barreled: 2015
Bottled: 2022
Proof: 114
Mash Bill: MGP 95% rye, 5% malted barely.
Named: Tyler Durden
Nose: backing spice, apple, honey.
Palate: well-aged rye, prominent spice and pepper overlaid with notes of vanilla.
Finish: long finish with a touch of mint as the spicy walks away.
09
Smooth Ambler Bourbon
Barrel# 36707
Barreled: 2015
Bottled: 2022
Proof: 116.4
Mash Bill: MGP 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barely.
Named: IL BRUTTO
Nose: floral, fruity, and fresh berry.
Palate: berry, dried fig with a hint of toasted oak (some might say it is more of a leather note).
Finish: long smooth finish, the fruitiness gives way to this nice spicy hug.
Everyone should now by now how much NCBS enjoys the products from Smooth Ambler. On 23 June 2022, we selected another 95% rye, 5 % malted barely from them. This almost 7-year old Rye is so good, during the selection... no one wanted to talk about it and everyone agrees that it should be kept a SECRET (hence the Tyler Durden First Rule reference). But no secrets here.
On that same day we also had the opportunity select a very nice 6-year Bourbon. This one is very different from "KUMITE" and "Andy - Ambler On". This one will bring you back to those 2006-2008 MGP High Rye smooth drinkers. IL BRUTTO is a fitting name, as you might trust that you can enjoy this one without it sneaking up on you; however, in the end... it sneaks up on. Cheers!
10
Marker's Mark SiB
Stave Program
Barreled: 2016
Barreled With Staves: 24 June 2022
Bottled: 2 September 2022
Proof: 109.3
Stave Combination: 1 Cuvee; 3 Maker's 46; 3 Mandiant; 3 Spice
Mash Bill: 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, 14% malted barley
Named: Bourbon Busters
Nose: bright, hints of dried fruits and toasted notes.
Palate: vanilla, dried fruits, tobacco, yet has a nice touch of sweetness to it.
Finish: full mouth feel, touch of citrus before the ending of dried fruits.
On 24 June, the NCBS Barrel Selection Team went to Maker's Mark and had the opportunity to work with Ryan on selecting another great Maker's Stave Program Barrel. This was our first time at the new pick building. This amazing site sits up overlooking the water and is constructed out of old limestone. It has a bit of a modern touch but still gives you the feeling that you are in the middle of woods. You almost forget that your there to pick a barrel... instead its like a family retreat with great views and great bourbon.
Ryan walked us through several combinations. If you haven't noticed, Maker's has replaced their French Mocha with Mandiant. No complaints here.... Cheers!
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11
Wild Turkey Christmas Bottle
Barrel# 22-0766 Floor 4, Warehouse Tyrone
Barreled: 19 November 2013
Bottled: 17 September 2022
Proof: 110
Named: NCBS Christmas Turkey
Nose: loads of Vanilla with light caramel.
Palate: starts slow; mellow on the lips; vanilla from the nose carries over into taste; caramel shows up more, but more of a burnt caramel/brûlée; light spice - black pepper; very light nutmeg, but you really have to look for it; very viscous, almost chewy.
Finish: hangs on for a while but is “short” in that it doesn’t travel down to your gut, it stays up higher in the chest/throat.
5 August 2022, the NCBS Barrel Selection Team was able to spend the afternoon in the barrel selection Wearhouse with Eddie Russell. It was a crazy raining day; have there is no better place to spend a rainy day, than in rickhouse.
As always, this was a very difficult selection and Eddie made the team blind them out for the final decision. The team selected two barrels, the Christmas Turkey and the NCBS Charity bottle (which will be released at the 2023 Charity Event).
12
Four Roses Single Barrel
Barrel# 61-3 T, Warehouse LW
Barreled: 2013
Bottled: 2022
Proof: 116.2
Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley.
Recipe: OESK
Named: NCBS for The Dragonfly House
Nose: notes of marshmallow, crème brule, toffee, a hint earthiness.
Palate: creamy mouth feel, vanilla, white chocolate, milkshake malt, ending with some leather and char.
Finish: tongue and cheek tingles.
NCBS was honored to be selected to team up with Four Roses and the Mocksville-Coolemee ABC Board to raise money for the The Dragonfly House. On 14 September 2022, the NCBS Pick Team spent the day with Four Roses tasting each of their ten recipes. Talk about an amazing experience. Top Notch!!!
If you are not familiar with The Dragonfly House, they are a Child Advocacy Center with the goal of ending child abuse. Over the last couple of years, NCBS has helped raised of $100,000 dollars for this charity. This Four Roses bottle alone helped raise over $12,000.
Hope that you got the chance to grab one of these, if not; maybe NCBS will get to go back next year and select another one...
Cheers!
Getting Ready
13
Ezra Brooks Cask Strength
Barrel# 7850886
Barreled: 21 November 2017 (HH)
Bottled: November 2022
Proof: 120
Mash Bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley
Named: NC Bourbon Society
Nose: sweet corn, vanilla, honey, and baking spice.
Palate: maple, raisin, brown sugar, and toasted cereal.
Finish: starts off dry then turns to spicy, warm, and notes of backing spice and chocolate.
On 15 Sep 2022, the NCBS Pick Team spent the day with the folks at Lux Row. This amazing facility is perched upon a hill in Bardstown with an old refurbished farmhouse at the center of the private barrel selection experience.
The Pick Team selected two different offerings on this visit, this being the one the arrived first. We hope that you enjoy it. Cheers!
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