Nulu Amburana Finished Bourbon Liquor Barn Single Barrel 750ML

Nulu Amburana Finished Bourbon Liquor Barn Single Barrel 750ML is a barrel-proof, single-barrel MGP bourbon finished in rare Brazilian Amburana wood, bottled at 750ml with proof varying by barrel (approximately 108–117 proof). What distinguishes this release is NULU's use of authentic full-sized Amburana barrels—not staves or wood chips—sourced from a restricted-export Brazilian hardwood with extremely limited annual availability.

Quick Facts: ABV: Barrel Proof (varies ~54.1%–58.3%)  |  Origin: Indiana, USA (finished in Louisville, KY)  |  Single Barrel  |  Distillery: MGP (distilled), Prohibition Craft Spirits / NULU (finished & bottled)

Production & Heritage

NULU is a brand under Prohibition Craft Spirits, based in Louisville, Kentucky. The bourbon itself is distilled at MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, using a high-rye mashbill of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley—the same grain recipe behind some of the most sought-after sourced bourbons on the market. After initial aging in traditional charred American oak, selected barrels are transferred into genuine Brazilian Amburana wood barrels for a secondary finishing period. Amburana (Amburana cearensis) is a scarce tropical hardwood whose export from Brazil is tightly controlled due to the tree's limited population, making full-barrel finishing a rarity that most brands cannot replicate. Each single barrel is bottled without chill filtration at cask strength, so proof and flavor profile vary from barrel to barrel.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with banana peel and dark roast coffee, followed by white pepper, dried leaves, and an undercurrent of warm baking spice. Amburana's signature cinnamon-forward character emerges quickly and intensifies as the bourbon breathes.

Taste: The entry is rich and sweet, evoking snickerdoodle cookie dough and cinnamon rolls layered with orange cream frosting. The mid-palate broadens into candied nuts, maple sweetness, nutmeg, and ground cinnamon, while the high-rye mashbill pushes raisin and citrus rind through to the peak. Despite the barrel-proof intensity, a surprising balance of sugar and spice keeps every sip engaging.

Finish: Long and warming, with cinnamon-spiced tea cakes, gingerbread, and a sugary cinnamon-toast coating that lingers. A faint dried-spice dryness and traces of toasted cereal milk carry well after the swallow.

How to Drink Nulu Amburana

Neat with a few drops of water is the ideal starting point—water unlocks the cinnamon pastry notes and tempers the barrel-proof heat without flattening the finish. A single large ice cube works well for longer sessions. For cocktails, try it in an Old Fashioned, where the Amburana spice replaces the need for aromatic bitters; in a Boulevardier, where the cinnamon and citrus rind complement sweet vermouth and Campari beautifully; or in a Hot Toddy, where the snickerdoodle and gingerbread notes amplify the warming, wintry character of the drink.

Best For

• Bourbon collectors seeking unusual barrel finishes beyond standard port or sherry casks
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who gravitates toward cinnamon-forward, dessert-rich profiles
• Side-by-side tastings comparing Amburana-finished American whiskeys
• After-dinner sipping alongside rich desserts like bread pudding or pecan pie

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Nulu Amburana taste like? The dominant profile is intensely cinnamon-forward, often described as liquid snickerdoodle or cinnamon rolls, layered with candied nuts, maple sweetness, gingerbread, and citrus rind. The barrel-proof strength amplifies these flavors without overwhelming them.

How does Nulu Amburana compare to Starlight Cigar Batch? Both are Amburana-finished bourbons, but Nulu sources its bourbon from MGP's high-rye mashbill (36% rye) while Starlight distills its own bourbon in-house at Huber's Starlight Distillery in southern Indiana. Reviewers have noted the two as comparable, with Starlight sometimes carrying a slightly different spice balance owing to its distinct base distillate and Amburana finishing protocol.

Is Nulu Amburana good for sipping neat? Yes—despite ranging from roughly 108 to 117 proof, the substantial sweetness from both the bourbon and the Amburana wood tempers the heat, making it approachable neat, especially with a few drops of water.

Where is Nulu Amburana made? The bourbon is distilled at MGP's facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, then shipped to Prohibition Craft Spirits in Louisville, Kentucky, where it undergoes Amburana barrel finishing and is bottled at cask strength.

What foods pair well with Nulu Amburana? Cinnamon-dusted churros mirror the bourbon's dominant spice; crème brûlée echoes its caramelized sugar notes; aged Gouda complements the maple and nutty sweetness; spiced pecan pie reinforces the baking-spice and candied-nut layers; and dark chocolate with orange peel highlights the citrus rind undertones.

What sizes does Nulu Amburana come in? This single-barrel selection is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Nulu Amburana worth the price? Nulu Amburana positions as a premium, limited-availability single-barrel offering. The use of genuine full-sized Amburana barrels—rather than cheaper wood inserts—and barrel-proof bottling from MGP-distilled stock place it in a higher value tier than standard finished bourbons, and availability is inherently constrained by the scarcity of the wood itself.

Why Nulu Amburana?

The single biggest differentiator is the barrel itself. Amburana wood is a restricted export from Brazil, and most producers resorting to staves, spirals, or chips cannot replicate what a full-barrel finish achieves in depth and integration. NULU secured actual Amburana barrels—a logistical feat that limits production volume but delivers a layered, cinnamon-pastry-driven profile rarely found in American whiskey. Paired with MGP's proven high-rye bourbon as the base distillate and an uncut, unfiltered bottling philosophy, each barrel stands as a one-of-a-kind release that rewards both careful neat evaluation and creative cocktail use.