So, You Want to Buy a Barrel of Whiskey — Here’s Everything You Need to Know

So, you want to buy a barrel of whiskey. You might have gotten the idea from whiskey influencers like VA Bourbon Hunter and Least I Have Whisky. In recent years, social media has been filled with internet tastemakers who hustle through rick houses and sample cask-strength bourbon straight from the barrel. Comment sections of these posts are awash with crushed whiskey enthusiasts who lament sold-out bottles and unavailable releases.

Barrel picking can often feel like an Olympic sport. And if you’re a bourbon fan, you want to be a contender. There’s one small problem: Where to start? 

There are tons of laws, both state and federal, that prevent individuals from purchasing large quantities of liquor. And a barrel, even a small one, holds a lot of whiskey. Additionally, distilleries can only sell bottled products to consumers. If you thought you could buy a full barrel of whiskey and store it in your private drinking den, that’s not going to happen. 

Distilleries do sell full barrels but, due to tax laws, they’re treated as commodities. In short, you can buy a single barrel of whiskey, but the contents will be bottled before you receive it. If you want the empty barrel, most distilleries will send it with your bottles. 

Stick to American whiskeys

If you’re an American, to buy a barrel of whiskey from outside the U.S. is arduous. If you want it within six months, you’ll need to buy American. You may not be able to get a 30-year Islay single malt scotch, but there are plenty of coveted bourbons, ryes, or American single malts available. That’s just as well, since single-barrel whiskey was pioneered in Kentucky by Buffalo Trace Distillery. Blanton’s bourbon was the first single-barrel product.

“Sazerac/Buffalo Trace debuted Blanton’s in 1984, and single-barrel whiskey is an important part of our legacy,” says Susannah Hubler, senior consumer and digital experience manager at Sazerac Barrel Select. “We’ve been running our single-barrel program for over 10 years, and remain committed to expanding exclusive barrel opportunities to individuals who want to partake in this unique experience.”

In some states, distilleries can sell single barrels through their gift shop. If you frequent a local distillery, check with the tasting room manager to see if they offer single barrels. Not only would you support a local business, which are generally more flexible about quantities, but it’s likely to roll out the red carpet for your selection experience.  

When you can’t buy directly from a distillery

If buying direct isn’t an option, you’ll need help from a liquor store. A retail store can buy a single barrel and sell the bottles to you. This is when it comes in handy to know your local shop owner. If you live in a control state, where the government runs the liquor stores, online retailers like Taste Select Repeat can offer this service to clubs and private clients. A store should be able to give you options, but you can supply your own if you’ve worked it out with a distillery in advance. 

There’s a lot of variance when it comes to quantity and price, so you may want to partner with some friends to spread out the cost. Depending on age, a 53-gallon barrel will yield from 100 to 200 bottles. Independent distilleries often have smaller, 30-gallon barrels, or they may allow you to take a portion of a barrel. Expect to spend $50-100 per bottle.

The single-barrel cheat code every barrel hunter should know

There are two major distillers that have single-barrel programs for individuals: Sazerac and Jim Beam. 

Launched in January, The Beam Private Barrel Club started with barrels of Knob Creek bourbon and rye. 

Sazerac, the parent company of Buffalo Trace, has offered single barrels to individuals since 2013. Its program, Sazerac Barrel Select, hosts quarterly barrel-drawing events. If you’re lucky, you could land a top-tier bourbon like Weller, Stagg or Colonel Taylor. You can pick your favorite on its campus in Frankfort, Kentucky, or have the tasting panel choose one for you. You also get to customize a bronze medallion with a logo to adorn your bottles. If you’re into tequila, you can send your empty barrel to Mexico, where they’ll age Corazon tequila in it for up to two years. 

Da’Mon Brown, co-founder of Brown Water Select and River City Whiskey, has a few tips for beginners. “First, include at least one woman in your selection group. Women have great palates and typically provide a viewpoint men aren’t thinking about,” he says. “Second, do your selection at the distillery, if possible. It’s a superior experience to select a barrel in a rick house with the people who made it.” 

Brown, who has picked barrels since 2019, says, “Finally, if you don’t like the barrels presented to you, don’t be afraid to say that. You’re putting your name on this product, so you shouldn’t have to settle.”