Wyoming Whiskey Single Barrel Bourbon 750ML

Wyoming Whiskey Single Barrel Bourbon 750ML is a wheated single barrel bourbon bottled at 88 proof (44% ABV) from the high plains of Kirby, Wyoming. Named Best Wheated Whiskey at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards, this expression draws its character from extreme Rocky Mountain temperature swings that accelerate barrel interaction, yielding roughly 220 bottles per cask.

Quick Facts: ABV: 44% (88 proof)  |  Origin: Kirby, Wyoming, USA  |  Minimum 5 Years  |  Distillery: Wyoming Whiskey

Production & Heritage

Wyoming Whiskey was founded in 2009 in Kirby, a small town on the western slope of the Bighorn Mountains. Master distiller Steve Nally, who spent 33 years at Maker's Mark before joining the operation, oversees a wheated mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley—all Wyoming-grown and non-GMO. Fermentation uses two distinct yeast strains, and the distillate ages a minimum of five years in the distillery's rickhouse, where water sourced from a local limestone aquifer feeds production. Wyoming's dramatic seasonal temperature swings—scorching summers and frigid winters—drive the whiskey deeper into and out of the barrel char, contributing pronounced oak influence and a notably high angel's share that concentrates flavor in each individual barrel selection.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with fragrant pecan pie and heavy vanilla extract, followed by waves of dark honey and a distinctive peanut butter quality. A gentle undercurrent of sandalwood and toasted grain rounds out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry brings agave nectar sweetness and caramel nougat that coats the palate immediately. At mid-palate, a bold vanilla bomb emerges alongside roasted oak, cinnamon, and white chocolate. Toasted black tea and pear notes develop toward the peak, adding complexity to the barrel-driven sweetness.

Finish: The finish runs medium-long with lingering licorice, cedar, and honey-baked bread. A final layer of roasted whole grains and gentle spice keeps the warmth present without turning hot at 88 proof.

How to Drink Wyoming Single Barrel

At 88 proof, this bourbon drinks well neat or with a single ice cube that slowly opens the wheat-driven sweetness. A few drops of water can amplify the honey and pecan pie aromatics without diluting the barrel character.

In an Old Fashioned, the vanilla and caramel richness stands up to bitters and orange peel without losing definition. A Paper Plane benefits from the wheat-softened palate, balancing the Aperol and amaro components with natural sweetness. For a Boulevardier, the pronounced oak and spice notes hold their ground against sweet vermouth and Campari, creating a well-structured cocktail.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who already knows the major Kentucky labels
• Side-by-side tastings comparing wheated versus rye-recipe bourbons
• Expanding a home bar beyond the standard bourbon belt offerings
• A fireside sipper during colder months when the warming oak and spice character shines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Wyoming Single Barrel taste like? The dominant profile centers on dark honey, rich vanilla, and pecan pie sweetness layered over roasted oak and cinnamon spice. The wheated mashbill delivers a round, syrupy mouthfeel with less rye bite than traditional bourbon recipes.

How does Wyoming Single Barrel compare to Maker's Mark? Both are wheated bourbons, and Wyoming Whiskey's master distiller Steve Nally spent 33 years at Maker's Mark before moving to Kirby. Wyoming Single Barrel carries a higher minimum age statement (five years versus Maker's Mark's roughly six to seven years of aging) and tends toward bolder oak influence and a nuttier, more barrel-forward profile due to Wyoming's extreme climate.

Is Wyoming Single Barrel good for sipping neat? Yes—at 88 proof it sits at a comfortable strength for neat sipping, with enough barrel character to remain engaging but enough wheat-driven softness to avoid harshness.

Where is Wyoming Single Barrel made? It is distilled, aged, and bottled at the Wyoming Whiskey distillery in Kirby, Wyoming, located along the Bighorn Basin at the base of the Bighorn Mountains. The distillery sources all its corn, wheat, and barley from Wyoming farms and draws production water from a local limestone aquifer.

What foods pair well with Wyoming Single Barrel? Smoked brisket complements the oak and caramel notes. Pecan pie echoes the bourbon's nutty aromatics. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the sweetness with savory tang. Dark chocolate with sea salt highlights the vanilla and toasted grain character. Cornbread with honey butter mirrors the grain-forward, honeyed palate.

What sizes does Wyoming Single Barrel come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Wyoming Single Barrel worth the price? Wyoming Single Barrel positions as a mid-premium bourbon, sitting above everyday pours but below allocated limited releases. The single barrel selection, five-year minimum age, and non-GMO Wyoming-sourced grain bill provide strong value context within the wheated bourbon category.

Why Wyoming Single Barrel?

This bourbon exists because of a specific set of conditions no other distillery replicates: Wyoming-grown non-GMO grains, limestone aquifer water, and a high-altitude rickhouse subjected to temperature extremes that can swing more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit across seasons. That climate yields only about 220 bottles per barrel after the angel's share takes its cut—significantly fewer than most Kentucky operations. Steve Nally's three decades of wheated bourbon expertise at Maker's Mark inform the distilling program, but the terroir here is distinctly Wyoming. Recognized as Best Wheated Whiskey at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards and earning an A- from Drinkhacker, this single barrel expression has established itself as a serious regional bourbon with national credibility.