2023 NCBS Barrel Picks
01
Rebel Yell Cask Strength
Barrel# 7811049
Warehouse: #6; Floor - 6; Rick - 28; Tier - 3; Position - 3
Barreled: 15 October 2017
Bottled: November 2022
Age: 5 years
Proof: 120
Mash Bill: HH - 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley.
Named: North Carolina Bourbon Society
Nose: black tea notes, note of wheat bread and corn.
Palate: buttered toffee, overtones of wild honey, dry cereal.
Finish: creamy, maple.
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.
This is the second offering from that visit [the first was the Exra Brooks Cask Strength from December 2022] Cheers!
02
Elijah Craig SiB Barrel Proof
Barrel# 6513313
Warehouse: H1; Floor 6
Barreled: 2013
Bottled: 2022
Proof: 130.9
Mash Bill: 78% corn, 12% malted barley, 10% rye
Named: Bourbon Brothers “Pinky and the Brain” Edition
Nose: leather, vanilla.
Palate: dark fruits, leather, vanilla and a hint of oak.
Finish: has a great mouth feel, has that ECBP taste that makes it hard to believe that it is over 132 proof, and has what most pick team members called an explosion at the end.
16 September 2022, the NCBS Barrel Selection Team was able to spend the morning in the new Heaven Hill Rick House that have floor to roof windows on one corner of the building. Our Hostess was Silvia and she rolled out some great barrels for us to try. The team took their time and would have stayed there all day if the would have let us!.
The folks at Heaven Hill are always top notch, and we can't wait to go back and pick some more barrels. #Cheers!
03
Old Forester Barrel Proof
Barrel# 7207
Barreled: 26 July 2017
Wearhouse: I - 6th Floor
Proof: 129.7
Mash Bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% barely.
Named: Old Force
Nose: begins with a floral presentation and moves towards the fresh cracked pepper notes.
Palate: creamy honey suckle, toasted caramel banana, toffee.
Finish: explosive, long lasting, backing spice, "Brown-Foreman Gold".
On 4 February 2023, the NCBS Barrel Selection Team went to Old Forester and had the opportunity to work with Brown-Foreman on selecting another great Old Forester Barrel Proof Single Barrel.
This visit included three offerings, from two different warehouses. All three of the proofs were in the 130 range with traditional Old Forester notes. The team all agreed that there was one stand out with coveted toasted caramel banana that Brown-Forman is known for. We hope that you enjoy it!