Wathens Single Barrel Bourbon 750ML

Wathen's Single Barrel Bourbon 750ML is a 94-proof (47% ABV) Kentucky straight bourbon drawn from individually selected barrels aged six to nine years. What distinguishes this expression is the Medley family's proprietary yeast strain, a closely guarded recipe passed through eight generations, and a blind barrel-selection process in which family members taste and approve each cask at peak maturity before bottling.

Quick Facts: ABV: 47% (94 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Single Barrel, aged 6–9 years  |  Producer: Charles Medley Distillery

Production & Heritage

The Medley family's connection to bourbon stretches back to the late 1700s, making them one of the oldest distilling families in Kentucky. Wathen's operates as a non-distilling producer (NDP), sourcing bourbon produced to its specifications with a mashbill of 77% corn, 10% rye, and 13% malted barley — a grain profile that favors sweetness while the rye component provides measured spice. Each barrel rests for six to nine years before the family evaluates it through a blind tasting; only barrels judged to have reached their flavor peak earn the Single Barrel designation. The proprietary Medley yeast strain is central to the fermentation character, contributing the floral and fruity esters that surface throughout the finished whiskey.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with light new-oak character and vanilla, followed by fresh-peeled banana and dry straw. A secondary wave of honey and delicate flower-petal sweetness emerges as the bourbon breathes.

Taste: Entry is decidedly sweet, with raisins, cherries, and orange citrus coating the front palate. At mid-palate, pronounced clove and walnut notes take over, layered with caramel, dark chocolate, and leather. The rye fraction asserts itself late with a building wave of hot pepper and allspice.

Finish: Medium-long and warming, marked by charred wood and a lightly spiced pepper tingle. It tapers on sugary raisin sweetness and a lingering trace of berry fruit.

How to Drink Wathen's Single Barrel

At 94 proof, this bourbon is balanced enough to sip neat yet carries sufficient backbone for a splash of water to open up the clove and walnut mid-palate. It also stands up well in spirit-forward cocktails. An Old Fashioned benefits from the bourbon's caramel-and-spice structure, which pairs naturally with bitters and a citrus peel. A Manhattan gains depth from the dark chocolate and cherry notes already present in the whiskey. A Boulevardier works because the raisin sweetness and peppery finish hold their own against Campari's bitterness.

Best For

• Bourbon collectors exploring single-barrel selections outside mainstream distilleries
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values heritage and family-owned production
• Blind tasting events comparing NDPs against estate-distilled bourbons
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a cigar

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Wathen's Single Barrel taste like? It leads with sweet raisin, cherry, and caramel before shifting to bold clove, walnut, and dark chocolate, finishing with charred oak and peppery spice. The overall impression is a sweet-to-spice arc at a well-balanced 94 proof.

How does Wathen's Single Barrel compare to Four Roses Small Batch Select? Both bourbons share a fruit-forward, moderately spicy character, and reviewers have noted aromatic similarities between the two. Wathen's leans more heavily into clove and walnut with a sweeter entry, while Four Roses Small Batch Select tends toward more pronounced floral and herbal rye notes at a higher 104 proof.

Is Wathen's Single Barrel good for sipping neat? Yes — at 47% ABV it delivers full flavor without excessive heat, and the six-to-nine-year age range provides enough oak integration for a smooth, complex neat pour.

Where is Wathen's Single Barrel made? It is produced in Kentucky under the oversight of the Charles Medley Distillery, a non-distilling producer whose family has been involved in Kentucky bourbon production since the late 18th century.

What foods pair well with Wathen's Single Barrel? Smoked pork or brisket complements the charred-wood finish; dark chocolate truffles echo the mid-palate cocoa notes; pecan pie mirrors the caramel sweetness; sharp aged cheddar contrasts the bourbon's fruit-forward entry; and spiced apple crisp harmonizes with the clove and allspice character.

What sizes does Wathen's Single Barrel come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available size.

Is Wathen's Single Barrel worth the price? Wathen's positions in the mid-premium tier for single-barrel bourbons, and the combination of a six-to-nine-year age range, proprietary yeast, and blind barrel selection offers strong value relative to similarly aged single-barrel competitors.

Why Wathen's Single Barrel?

The Medley family yeast — maintained across eight generations — gives this bourbon a fermentation fingerprint that no other producer can replicate. Each barrel is chosen blind, removing label bias and ensuring only flavor determines the selection. The 77/10/13 mashbill strikes a deliberate balance: enough corn for caramel richness, enough rye for pepper and spice, and enough malted barley for body. For drinkers seeking a single-barrel bourbon rooted in one of Kentucky's oldest distilling lineages rather than a corporate portfolio, Wathen's delivers an uncommon combination of heritage and barrel-level individuality.