OHLQ Announces Bulleit Bourbon Single Barrel - Arriving This Week (October 23rd)

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has announced the availability of 11 barrels of Bulleit Bourbon Single Barrel expressions (aged a minimum of 8 years), hitting shelves this week (Week of October 23rd) with a price of $59.99 + tax per bottle. 

The tasting notes for the barrels are:

• Theater Mints - Barrel #4-B3-122 - Mashbill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley - Yeast Strain: #3 - Tasting Notes: A chocolaty aroma with hints of oak set the stage for the classic flavor of chocolate mint candy starring on the palate.
  
  
• Vanilla Boat - Barrel #4-B3-126 - Mashbill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley - Yeast Strain: #3 - Tasting Notes: Notes of banana, cream soda, and vanilla bean on the nose sail through to the palate, with an emphasis on vanilla bean, before giving way to a tobacco finish.
  
  
• Fruit Pizza - Barrel #4-B3-149 - Mashbill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley - Yeast Strain: #3 - Tasting Notes: Mixed berry aromatics top off a palate layered with powder sugar and the delightful combination of fruit and pizza.
  
  
• Sweet Country Ham - Barrel #4-B3-236 - Mashbill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley - Yeast Strain: #3 - Tasting Notes: The nose is served up sweet and savory like brown sugar bacon from a smokehouse, echoing a salty sweet flavor profile worthy of a prize-winning country ham.
  
  
• Farmhouse Sweet Tea - Barrel #4-E4-408 - Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley - Yeast Strain: #4 - Tasting Notes: The deep bourbon notes on the nose inform the rich caramel and depth of spice on the palate, all in service of the overall flavor impression of a classic sweet tea recipe.
  
  
• Jack of all Fruits - Barrel #4-E5-054 - Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley - Yeast Strain: #5 - Tasting Notes: The ripe banana nose and classic bourbon taste are enhanced with the sweet burn of charred citrus like jackfruit right off the grill.
  
  
• Mexican Hot Chocolate - Barrel #4-E5-062 - Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley - Yeast Strain: #5 - Tasting Notes: The nose and the flavor profile bring incredible nuance with rich chocolate upfront deepened by cayenne pepper tones and hints of lime and ancho flavor.
  
  
• Buttered Brown Sugar - Barrel #5-B1-1 - Mashbill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley - Yeast Strain: #1 - Tasting Notes: Confectionary aromatics, with notes of brown sugar, ripe fruit, and just a hint of mint, are the prelude to a traditional rye flavor profile that starts with grassy notes before blossoming to a fruity finish.
  
  
• Sugar-Cured Bacon - Barrel #5-B4-9 - Mashbill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley - Yeast Strain: #4 - Tasting Notes: Orange peel on the nose gallops through to the palate, complementing tones of butterscotch, and candied bacon carrying the flavor through to the finish line.
  
  
• Honey Bee - Barrel #6-B1-10 - Mashbill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley - Yeast Strain: #1 - Tasting Notes: Sweet and floral notes, like a mix of honey and bee pollen, buzz lightly on the nose leading to a longer, pleasant spice throughout the palate.
  
  
• Almond Cake - Barrel #6-B1-9 - Mashbill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley - Yeast Strain #1 - Tasting Notes: The sweet and nutty aroma precedes the bright and complex taste featuring rye spice nicely balanced by honeyed sweetness.

You can check here to see if there are any bottles available in your area. 

My Take

The first thing I want to mention is how ridiculous some of the names are. I've been in meetings like this where someone has a really bad idea, and the rest of the group goes along with it. There is no bourbon in the world anyone would want that tastes like Mexican Hot Chocolate. It's doing the release a disservice. 

In terms of the release, aside from the stupid names and the obvious bottles to avoid (Mexican Hot Chocolate, Fruit Pizza, etc.), this is a decent release with plenty of supply and a good price for an 8 year single barrel. If there is one you see out in the wild, I'd check it against the tasting notes and make sure you're not stuck with a dud. 

Lastly, it's hard not to see Bulleit and not think about the allegations of abuse leveled at the founder Tom Bulleit by his daughter... it definitely puts a stain on the brand. 

What do you think? Drop a note in the comments below. 

Source: OHLQ