Best Bourbons at 120 Proof and Above at Bottle Barn

Take a step into the world of high-proof Bourbon and find a fascinating perspective on the world of American whiskey. In 2023, there were 2,235 US distilleries in business, some well-established and well-known, others startups with an artisanal attitude.

High-proof Bourbon is a special niche for collectors. Why?

The higher the alcohol content, the more intense the Bourbon’s flavors and aromas, featuring more robust and complex taste flavors such as deep notes of caramel, vanilla, spice, and oak. High-proof—let’s say 120 proof and over—also lends a richer mouthfeel and a more pronounced “heat” to the Bourbon. It allows for a deeper exploration of this drink’s flavors and complexities, making it a desirable choice for budding Bourbon connoisseurs who order whiskey online.

High proof Bourbons are often sought after by collectors for their rarity and quality. Many high proof releases are limited editions or single barrel selections: unique expressions of craftsmanship, especially when they come from a small, local or regional distiller. And that’s where specialty bottlers who curate high-quality whiskies may enter the picture.

Exemplifying high-proof Bourbon, we have two Bourbons from well-known, large distilleries (including a special cask unique to Bottle Barn) and two from craft distilleries that were bottled by the innovative Lost Lantern of Vermont run by the husband-and-wife team of Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam “Apolon” Polonski.

These are the Elijah Craig Bottle Barn Barrel Select 123.6 proof; the Knob Creek 12 year 120 proof; and Lost Lantern’s Few Spirits 124.6 proof and Cedar Ridge 123.2 proof.

Knob Creek 12 Year 120 proof

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The Knob Creek offering is special, single cask Bourbon that you will only find in selected retailers, like Botton Bar, when you buy whiskey online. BoubonGuy.com loves its caramel, cinnamon, and nutmeg nose, with noticeable vanilla notes. Yes, at 120 proof, you will feel that spicy heat once you’ve taken a sip. The flavors encompass vanilla, caramel, oak, and Red Hot cinammon candy. The finish is medium to long “with a big hit of oak.” This fades to reveal lingering cinnamon and mint flavors. Knob Creek provides a quintessential representation of American Bourbon flavor.

Elijah Craig Bottle Barn Barrel Select 123.6 proof

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Bottle Barn has an absolutely unique Bourbon at 123.6 proof from Heaven Hill. It comes from their Schenley, Kentucky, campus, warehouse “MM.” The Bottle Barn Barrel Select has all the elements of a true collector’s whiskey. On the nose, find peanut brittle and toffee, intertwined with the classic vanilla essence that only Heaven Hill delivers. Want more?  Try almond notes with a hint of linen that emerges alongside oak and caramel popcorn. On those classic vanilla flavors are accompanied by a subtle interplay of black pepper and leather. Flavors of bright red peppers may temporarily ignite your senses, adding a spicy kick to the experience.

Now we enter the very special world of Lost Lantern. What is this? It’s company that bottles whiskies from a hand curated selection of those 2,235 distilleries across the nation. Nora and Adam had a unique vision. “There are more places making whiskey than we could possibly work with,” they say. “That means we can be very selective.” The couple screens hundred of whiskies. “Finding the right distilleries to work with is one of the most time consuming and important parts of our process.” This started with an eight month roadtrip across the US. “Once we’re onsite,” say Nora and Adam, “we strive to understand exactly how they make their whiskey. We look at their stills, their barrelhouse, and everything in between.”

Bottle Barn has two Lost Lantern Bourbons above 120 proof, which our lucky customers can get when they buy Bourbon online.

Lost Lantern’s Few Spirits 124.6 proof

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Aged for five years, the Few Spirits 124.6 proof comes from a pioneer of American craft spirits. This is an award-winning grain-to-glass Bourbon from a unique urban setting on the outskirts of Chicago. It comes from 70% corn, 20% rye, and 10% malted barley and aged in a 53-gallon new American oak barrel. The aromas include sweet notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, and french vanilla. On the palate expect rich and rounded spice, a soft, creamy texture, and notes of milk chocolate, cinnamon and butter, with a long finish. Yes, you will feel the heat.

Lost Lantern’s Cedar Ridge 123.2 proof

From Iowa comes this unique, single cask expression of wheat.  Nora and Adam say, “You may not be very familiar with wheat whiskies. After all, there aren’t that many of them. But this cask is truly special.” It counts among  their favorites. Not technically a Bourbon, straight wheat whiskies are both welcoming and powerful. Made from 100% malted white winter wheat, it was then aged for six years. A highly spicy nose leads to notes of black cherry and vanilla shortbread. Adam and Nora statee: “The palate is bold and warm, with hints of baking spice and cinnamon coffee cake. Elegant and powerful.”