Very Old Barton 100 Proof Bourbon 750ML

Very Old Barton 100 Proof Bourbon 750ML is a Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof) in a 750ml format from Barton Distillery in Bardstown. This expression earned a 92-point rating from Whisky Advocate and a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, establishing it as one of the most acclaimed bourbons in its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA  |  NAS (No Age Statement)  |  Distillery: Barton Distillery (Sazerac Company)

Production & Heritage

Barton Distillery sits in the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky — a town often called the "Bourbon Capital of the World." Now owned by the Sazerac Company, the distillery produces Very Old Barton using a high-rye mashbill built on a base of 75% corn, distilled through a column still and refined with a copper doubler. One unusual feature of the operation is its use of outdoor fermenters — large stainless steel tanks exposed to the heat and cold of Kentucky's seasons rather than housed in a climate-controlled building, an uncommon practice that contributes to variation in the fermentation character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with vanilla bean and butterscotch sweetness before shifting to chewy leather and a lean, woody backbone. Underneath those top notes, there is a subtle grain character and hints of fired-corn salsa and citrus zest.

Taste: The entry is firm and direct, with rich caramel and nougat coating the palate immediately. At mid-palate, rye spice asserts itself through cinnamon and ginger, joined by toffee sweetness and dark berry undertones. The 100-proof strength keeps everything bold and well-structured without tipping into harshness.

Finish: The finish is dry, warm, and moderately long, with lingering wood tannins and a trace of tobacco leaf. A final echo of vanilla and baking spice rounds out the experience cleanly.

How to Drink Very Old Barton

At 100 proof, this bourbon stands up well neat or with a single ice cube to temper the heat slightly while preserving its full-bodied character. A few drops of water can open the vanilla and caramel notes further. Its proof and spice profile also make it a reliable cocktail bourbon: try it in an Old Fashioned, where the toffee and rye spice hold their own against bitters and sugar; a Whiskey Sour, where the citrus zest notes in the bourbon complement fresh lemon juice; or a Manhattan, where the dry, woody finish pairs naturally with sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters.

Best For

• Building a home bourbon collection with a critically acclaimed, high-proof staple
• Mixing cocktails that demand a bourbon with enough backbone to punch through other ingredients
• Side-by-side tastings comparing value-tier bourbons at different proof points
• Introducing experienced drinkers to bottled-in-bond-strength bourbon without sticker shock

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Very Old Barton taste like? Very Old Barton 100 Proof leads with rich caramel, nougat, and toffee sweetness, followed by rye-driven cinnamon and ginger spice on a medium-bodied palate. The finish is dry and warm with woody tannins and lingering vanilla.

How does Very Old Barton compare to Evan Williams Black Label? Both tied for "Best Buy Whisk(e)y of the Year" at the 17th Annual Whisky Advocate Awards in 2011, but they differ significantly in proof — Very Old Barton is bottled at 100 proof versus Evan Williams Black Label at 86 proof. The higher proof gives Very Old Barton a bolder, spicier character with more palate weight, while Evan Williams Black Label tends toward a lighter, more approachable profile.

Is Very Old Barton good for sipping neat? Yes — at 100 proof it delivers concentrated flavor without being overwhelmingly hot, and the 92-point Whisky Advocate rating reflects its quality as a neat pour. A splash of water can soften the proof and open up additional vanilla and caramel nuance.

Where is Very Old Barton made? Very Old Barton is produced at Barton Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, owned by the Sazerac Company. Bardstown is located in Nelson County in the heart of Kentucky's bourbon-producing region.

What foods pair well with Very Old Barton? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the bourbon's rye spice matches the smokiness; dark chocolate truffles, which complement the caramel and toffee; sharp aged cheddar, whose tang plays against the vanilla sweetness; pecan pie, which echoes the nougat and toasted grain; or grilled stone fruit, where charred sweetness mirrors the bourbon's butterscotch notes.

What sizes does Very Old Barton come in? The standard size is 750ml, and it is also commonly available in 1L and 1.75L formats depending on market availability.

Is Very Old Barton worth the price? Very Old Barton 100 Proof positions as a value-tier bourbon that consistently outperforms its price category — a 92-point Whisky Advocate score and a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition are distinctions typically associated with bottles costing significantly more.

Why Very Old Barton?

Few bourbons at this price point carry both a 92-point Whisky Advocate rating and a Double Gold from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The 100-proof bottling strength delivers the kind of concentrated flavor and cocktail versatility that many higher-priced expressions aim for. Barton Distillery's distinctive use of outdoor fermenters exposed to Kentucky's seasonal extremes adds a layer of production character that is genuinely uncommon in the category. For drinkers who judge bourbon by what is in the glass rather than what is on the price tag, Very Old Barton 100 Proof remains one of the most compelling arguments in American whiskey.