Virginia-based Catoctin Creek is one of many distilleries that sells individual barrels.
Your whisky club has likely purchased many bottles, but have you considered buying a whole barrel of whisky? It's easier than you may think and often includes benefits like selecting the barrel with the distillers, personalized labels, and the barrel itself for display.
“Selecting a private barrel of whiskey is one of the most exciting experiences that a person can have,” says Skip Young, who co-founded the Northern Kentucky-based Toasted Cooper Society with John Weigold and Greaham Niemer. The club has purchased three Buffalo Trace barrels to split among members over the past three years. Like most distillers, Buffalo Trace includes a full tour of their facilities and tastings from several different barrels when purchasing by the barrel. “We make a day of it. We charter a small bus to drive us down to the distillery, and then visit additional nearby distilleries on the way home,” Niemer says. “This makes it a safe, fun way for us to enjoy a day out as a group.”
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After you've chosen your barrel, the distillery will bottle the whiskey and work according to U.S. laws to get it to a retailer, who sells it to you. Toasted Cooper Society works mainly with Stadium Liquor in Covington, Kentucky. “Talk to your local liquor stores and build up a relationship with them,” Weigold suggests. “Depending on your state, the laws and regulations could be different and they'll be able to help you along the journey.”
Where to Buy a Private Barrel for Your Club
The whiskeys offered for private barrels change frequently. Check with the distillery for current selections.
Barrell Craft Spirits—Available for bourbon and Canadian rye, as well as occasionally whiskey and rum. For more information, contact Nic Christiansen: nic@barrellbourbon.com
Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. (George Dickel) For more information, contact DickelBarrel@diageo.com
Catoctin Creek For more information, email info@catoctincreek.
Corsair Distillery For more information, visit the website.
FEW Spirits For more information, contact Paul Hletko:info@fewspirits.com
Four Roses For more information, contact Mandy Vance: mvance@fourrosesbourbon.com
Freeland Spirits—Available for rye. For more information, contact Brooke McKinnon: brooke@
Garrison BrothersTo purchase a barrel, fill out the order form.
Heaven Hill—Available for Elijah Craig. For details on the program, ask your retailer to contact the local Heaven Hill representative or distributor.
High West For more information, contact Mark Erickson: mark.erickson@cbrands.com
Jack Daniel's For more information, visit the website or call 1-888-551-5225.
James B. Beam Distilling—Available for Jim Beam Single Barrel Bourbon, Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon, Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye. For more information, ask your retailer to contact the local Beam Suntory representative or distributor.
Maker's Mark—Available for Private Select Bourbon. For more information, ask your retailer to contact the local Beam Suntory representative or distributor.
Mississippi River Distilling Co. For more information, email info@mrdistilling.com
New Riff Distilling For more information, visit the website.
Old Forester For more information, visit the website.
Sazerac—Available for Barton 1792, Buffalo Trace, Caribou Crossing (Canadian), and Speyburn Companion Cask (scotch), as well as Corazón tequilaFor more information, visit singlebarrelselect.com.
StilL 360 For more information, visit the website or call 314-513-2275.
Tarnished Truth Distilling For more information, call 757-965-9652.
Vapor Distillery—Available for bourbon and American single malt. For more information, contact Alastair Brogan: alastair@
Virginia Distillery Co. For more information, email casksociety@
WhistlePig For more information, contact Gregory Gatti: Gregory@whistlepigrye.com
Wild Turkey—Available for Kentucky Spirit and Russell's Reserve Single Barrel. For details on the program, ask your retailer to contact the local Campari America representative or distributor.
Woodford Reserve For more information, contact Chris Poynter: chris_poynter@b-f.com
Wyoming Whiskey For more information, contact David Defazio: david@wyomingwhiskey.com
