Like each vintage of a wine tastes different, single barrel bourbons have their own unique characteristics. In order to ensure consistency from year to year, big name bourbons blend barrels together, then bottle the booze, to achieve the taste they’re going for. Bourbon lovers seek out single barrel pours to find the nuances in each one — nuances that might get lost in a blend.

Restaurants and bars are able to purchase an entire barrel, giving them their own personal selection. The barrel is bottled, then the bottles are tagged in Raleigh and sent to the establishment that ordered them. Here’s where to find single barrel bourbons around town. —Kristen Wile

The Ballantyne Hotel
Pours are 1.5 ounces

Maker’s Mark Private Select, $22
Woodford Reserve Private Select, $16

Dot Dot Dot
Pours are 1.5 ounces

Elijah Craig Batch 1 (12-year), $15
Elijah Craig Batch 2 (10-year), $14
Elijah Craig Batch 3 (11-year), $14
Elijah Craig Batch 4 (10-year), $14
Elijah Craig Batch 5 (10-year), $14 (arriving late September)
Old Forester (9-year), $15
Knob Creek (9 years, 7 months), $16

Dressler’s Metropolitan
Pours are 2 ounces

Eagle Rare (10-year), $15

The Cellar at Duckworth’s
Pours are 1.5 ounces; available at Duckworth’s locations as well

Elijah Craig (10-year), $9.50

Haberdish, Crepe Cellar, and Growler’s Pourhouse
Pours are 1.5 ounces

Knob Creek (14-year), $14
Elijah Craig coming soon

The Jailhouse
Pours are 1.5 ounces

Elijah Craig (11-year), $12

SoCo Bar at The Westin
Pours are 1.5 ounces

Woodford Reserve Personal “Triple J’s” Selection, $15
Woodford Reserve Personal “Insert Name Here” Selection, $15

Stoke Bar at Marriott City Center
Pours are 2 ounces

Maker’s Mark Stoke Single Barrel, $18

Tupelo Honey
Pours are 1.5 ounces

Woodford Reserve Personal Selection, $10

Did I miss your bar or restaurant? Email me! 

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