Rare Character Exceptional Series 13 Year 750ML

Rare Character Exceptional Series 13 Year 750ML is a cask strength Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 65.75% ABV (131.5 proof) in a 750ml bottle. This 13-year age statement release represents the top tier of the Rare Character portfolio, reserved for barrels the brand deems truly standout among their already selective sourcing program.

Quick Facts: ABV: 65.75% (131.5 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  13 Year Age Statement  |  Brand: Rare Character

Production & Heritage

Rare Character operates as an independent bottler specializing in sourcing and selecting exceptional barrels of American whiskey from established Kentucky distilleries. The Exceptional Series sits at the apex of their lineup, comprising barrels that distinguish themselves through extended maturation and singular flavor development. This 13-year expression is bottled at full cask strength without chill filtration, preserving the barrel's unaltered character — a hallmark of the Rare Character approach. At 131.5 proof, this bourbon entered and aged in new charred American oak barrels, drawing deep extraction over more than a decade of Kentucky warehouse aging.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dense waves of dark caramel and charred oak lead the nose, followed by dried stone fruit and baking spice. A subtle leather note and hint of tobacco emerge as the bourbon opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is immediately rich and viscous, coating the palate with brown sugar, toasted pecan, and dark cherry. At mid-palate, layers of cinnamon bark, black pepper, and roasted vanilla develop considerable heat that never overwhelms the underlying sweetness. The 13 years of oak contact deliver pronounced tannic structure balanced by a honeyed, almost molasses-like depth.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering charred oak, espresso, and dried fig that persist well past the final sip. A faint campfire smokiness and bittersweet chocolate round out the experience as the proof slowly fades.

How to Drink Rare Character 13 Year

At 131.5 proof, a few drops of water unlock hidden complexity and tame the heat enough to reveal nuanced secondary flavors — starting neat and gradually adding water is the recommended approach. For cocktail use, this bourbon's high proof and deep oak character make it formidable in an Old Fashioned, where its intensity stands up to bitters and sweetener without losing definition. A Boulevardier benefits from the bourbon's tannic backbone and dark fruit notes balancing the Campari. A classic Manhattan gains exceptional depth from the 13-year maturity and cask strength concentration.

Best For

• Gifting a serious bourbon collector seeking independent bottlings
• Side-by-side tastings comparing age statements and cask strengths
• Marking a milestone celebration with a rare, high-proof pour
• Expanding a home bar with a barrel-proof bourbon aged beyond the typical range

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Rare Character 13 Year taste like? This bourbon leads with deep caramel, charred oak, and dark dried fruit, followed by layers of baking spice, toasted nut, and espresso. The 13-year maturation delivers pronounced oak influence tempered by residual sweetness and considerable barrel-proof heat.

How does Rare Character 13 Year compare to other cask strength bourbons? At 131.5 proof with a 13-year age statement, it sits in a competitive space alongside releases like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, though Rare Character's single-barrel, non-chill-filtered bottling philosophy and extended aging often yield a more individually expressive pour. The additional years beyond most barrel-proof offerings on the market contribute darker, more tannic oak character.

Is Rare Character 13 Year good for sipping neat? It rewards neat sipping for experienced bourbon drinkers comfortable with high-proof whiskey, though a small addition of water is recommended to open the full range of flavors locked behind the 131.5-proof intensity.

Where is Rare Character 13 Year made? This bourbon is sourced from Kentucky, where it was distilled, aged in new charred oak barrels for 13 years, and selected by the Rare Character team for their Exceptional Series bottling program.

What foods pair well with Rare Character 13 Year? Pecan pie complements the toasted nut and caramel notes; dark chocolate truffles echo the espresso finish; smoked brisket stands up to the bourbon's barrel-proof intensity; aged cheddar mirrors the tannic oak structure; and crème brûlée highlights the vanilla and brown sugar layers.

What sizes does Rare Character 13 Year come in? This expression is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Rare Character 13 Year worth the price? Rare Character positions the Exceptional Series as a premium offering within their range, and the 13-year age statement at cask strength places it in the upper echelon of independently bottled bourbons — a category where extended aging and single-barrel selection command a justified premium over younger releases.

Why Rare Character 13 Year?

Thirteen years of Kentucky warehouse aging at cask strength is a genuinely uncommon combination in today's bourbon market, where demand has outpaced the supply of well-aged barrels. Rare Character's decision to bottle this at 131.5 proof without chill filtration means the liquid arrives exactly as the barrel produced it — uncompromised and fully concentrated. The Exceptional Series label signals that this barrel cleared a higher bar than the brand's already selective standard releases, marking it as a distinctive find among independently bottled American whiskey. For drinkers drawn to high-proof, oak-forward bourbon with real age behind it, this 13-year expression delivers on the promise its name makes.