Nulu Reserve Toasted Barrel Straight Bourbon 750ML

Nulu Reserve Toasted Barrel Straight Bourbon 750ML is a barrel-proof, toasted-barrel-finished straight bourbon bottled at 116 proof (57.3% ABV) in a 750ml bottle. Sourced from MGP in Indiana and finished by Prohibition Craft Spirits in Louisville, Kentucky, this non-chill-filtered release stands out for its hands-on barrel selection process and controlled toasted-barrel finishing that amplifies layers of caramel and baking spice.

Quick Facts: ABV: 57.3% (116 Proof)  |  Origin: Indiana / Kentucky, USA  |  Aged 4–6 Years, Toasted Barrel Finish  |  Distillery: MGP (sourced), Prohibition Craft Spirits (bottled)

Production & Heritage

Prohibition Craft Spirits, based in Louisville, Kentucky, both distills its own spirits and sources select barrels from MGP's storied distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. The Nulu Reserve Toasted Barrel expression starts with a high-rye mashbill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley, aged between four and six years in new charred American oak barrels before undergoing a secondary finish in freshly toasted barrels for one to four weeks. Each batch is tasted periodically throughout this finishing window to determine the optimal extraction point, and the final spirit is bottled without chill filtration — preserving full-bodied texture and aromatic complexity at a muscular 116 proof.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich caramelized sugar and brown sugar greet the nose first, followed by waves of vanilla, toasted oak, and a faint ethanol warmth that signals the barrel-proof strength. The overall impression is deeply sweet and inviting.

Taste: The entry delivers a lush combination of vanilla and toffee, quickly layered with toasted marshmallow and maple sweetness reminiscent of a warm maple doughnut. Mid-palate, baking spices and a cinnamon-candy heat — think Red Hots — emerge alongside dark chocolate and dark fruit notes, with the high-rye mashbill providing firm backbone and structural spice throughout.

Finish: Long, warm, and generously mouth-coating, the finish recalls campfire s'mores with lingering toasted marshmallow, charred oak, and persistent baking spice. The viscosity is impressive, leaving a velvety residue that slowly fades into gentle warmth.

How to Drink Nulu Toasted Barrel

At 116 proof, this bourbon rewards patience — pour it neat, let it rest for five minutes, and add a few drops of water to open up the caramel and dark fruit character. It also holds its own over a single large ice cube as the dilution gradually reveals new layers of sweetness. For cocktails, try an Old Fashioned, where the toasted marshmallow and baking spice notes amplify the classic brown-sugar-and-bitters template; a Boulevardier, where the barrel-proof weight stands up to Campari's bitterness; or a Gold Rush, where the honey-lemon combination plays beautifully off the bourbon's inherent toffee and vanilla.

Best For

• Bourbon collectors seeking barrel-proof, toasted-barrel-finished releases outside the allocated market
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates MGP-sourced, single-barrel-quality expressions
• Side-by-side tastings comparing toasted-barrel versus standard char finishes
• After-dinner sipping on cooler evenings when a high-proof, dessert-leaning bourbon fits the mood

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Nulu Toasted Barrel taste like? It leads with caramel, vanilla, and toffee before transitioning into toasted marshmallow, baking spices, cinnamon heat, and dark chocolate. The finish is long and warm with pronounced s'mores-like character and excellent viscosity.

How does Nulu Toasted Barrel compare to Blanton's Straight from the Barrel? Both are high-proof, high-rye bourbons with robust oak-forward profiles, but Nulu leans into dark fruit and toasted marshmallow sweetness from its toasted-barrel finish, whereas Blanton's Straight from the Barrel tends toward green apple fruit notes and a sharper tannic structure. Nulu is also generally easier to find than the heavily allocated Blanton's line.

Is Nulu Toasted Barrel good for sipping neat? Yes — despite its 116-proof strength, the non-chill-filtered body carries enough sweetness and viscosity to balance the heat. A few drops of water can further soften the ethanol and unlock additional caramel and oak nuances.

Where is Nulu Toasted Barrel made? The bourbon is distilled at MGP's facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, then hand-selected and finished in toasted barrels by Prohibition Craft Spirits in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville's Nulu neighborhood inspired the brand's name.

What foods pair well with Nulu Toasted Barrel? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the charred oak and spice; dark chocolate truffles echo the bourbon's cocoa undertones; crème brûlée mirrors its caramelized sugar character; sharp aged cheddar contrasts the sweetness with savory richness; and pecan pie amplifies the toffee and toasted-nut qualities.

What sizes does Nulu Toasted Barrel come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Nulu Toasted Barrel worth the price? It positions as a premium craft bourbon, and the barrel-proof, non-chill-filtered, toasted-barrel-finished profile delivers complexity that competes with allocated bourbons at similar or higher price points. For drinkers who value transparency about sourcing and hands-on finishing, it represents strong value in its tier.

Why Nulu Toasted Barrel?

What separates this release from the crowded field of finished bourbons is the level of control Prohibition Craft Spirits exercises over the toasted-barrel step — tasting each barrel periodically across a one-to-four-week window rather than relying on a fixed timeline. The result is a bourbon whose toasted character feels intentional rather than heavy-handed, with the underlying MGP distillate's high-rye spice and dark fruit still clearly present. Bottling at full barrel proof without chill filtration preserves every ounce of texture and flavor the aging and finishing process developed. For bourbon drinkers searching for an oak-rich, dessert-forward sipper that punches well above many allocated releases, Nulu Toasted Barrel makes a compelling case on its own terms.