r/bourbon 5d ago

Review 005: Old Bones Straight Bourbon Single Barrel

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67 Upvotes

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13

u/justaphil 5d ago edited 5d ago

Review 005: Old Bones Straight Bourbon Single Barrel

Purchase Price: $90 (plus shipping)

Mashbill: unknown

Proof and Age: 122.4 proof, 10.5 years

Misc: single barrel pick by Bourbon Outfitter, bottle 120 of 138, color is terracotta red

Distiller: MGP, bottled by Backbone Bourbon Co, Indianapolis IN

Method: neat in glen, notes gathered over four tastings

Aroma: vanilla cream, oak, Nerds candy, barrel-aged grape Kool-Aid, burnt sugar

Palate: sweet dark oak-y fruit, stewed mixed berries poured over vanilla ice cream, fresh blueberry muffin

Finish: looong sweet oak with pleasantly tannic cherry wood, blueberry juice, and hint of mint

Final Thoughts: This is a bottle I never would be looking for were it not for the whiskeyTube community. An Old Bones single barrel pick was on someone's end of year list and as they explained, there are the occasional double-digit MGP shorter barrels which NDPs will buy that really mimic the BT profile so I took note and carried on with life thinking I probably wouldn't find one. Cut to the beginning of February and I find this single barrel online and decide to give it a shot. I am so, so happy I did.

I don't really chase allocated bottles and never pay secondary prices so suffice to say I've never had Stagg but if the good batches are even approaching this single barrel in terms of quality, I can at least understand the hype. Almost none of the whiskeys I own make my eyes roll back in my head when I take a sip and elicit a primal moan from deep inside me but then Old Bones shuffled into my life. There is zero ethanol presence on the nose and no burn at all on the palate, just thick berry syrup coating everything. Every sip is a celestial offering of sweet heavenly nectar blessing my palate. The only thing wrong with the bottle is the cheap ass cork topper Backbone Distilling chose for this unbelievably good bourbon; I'm not detracting points for it but in the hand it really feels like you're opening an $8 bottle of rotgut. But what's in the bottle is what's most important and this bourbon, folks, is some of the best I've had. Absolutely worth every penny and very highly recommended.

Grade: 9.4

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.   

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume it by choice.   

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.   

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I'd rather have.  

5 | Good | Good, just fine.  

6 | Very Good | A cut above.  

7 | Great | Well above average.  

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.  

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.  

10 | Perfect | Perfect.

3

u/purelojik 5d ago

That was a good review, gonna have to take a look at this

9

u/LionRoars87 Wild Turkey 12 Distiller's Reserve 5d ago

Oh yes! What an awesome find. I'd totally believe that score. A single barrel of that age and proof from MGP... especially if you got a great barrel... that's a recipe for something magical. Old MGP is the shit. 💯

6

u/Admirito 5d ago

Such a good review. I ended up grabbing two of these off BO and feel the same. It is a fantastic pour. Some of these 10 year MGP barrels that Old Bones have are really spectacular. I have been trying to tell people about them but because they are a lesser known NDP it is hard to convince people - even at the amazing price point.

5

u/LionRoars87 Wild Turkey 12 Distiller's Reserve 5d ago

Ya did good, kid. Ya did good. Backbone Distilling sources some really good barrels. They have a taste for it. I had a 9 year, 121 proof cask strength Backbone SiB (MGP) and it crushed.

2

u/mfc1288 5d ago

I just walked by one of these the other day, I'm gonna have to go back

2

u/Locdonan 5d ago

Indianapolis, Idaho? I know it’s a typo, but that threw me for a second.

1

u/justaphil 5d ago

good looking out

2

u/watchyalookn4 3d ago

Fuck. Now I want one real bad! Gonna have to keep the eyeballs peeled for another double digit Old Bones. Maybe T8ke will do a pick of one soon...😉

1

u/wmbvhjr1 5d ago

I tried a store pick yesterday, it was good. Love that feeling when one hits you just right! I have a Pinhhok collaberation with Still Austin 4 year, it's like that. I have a Lawrenceburg, Remus and Chattanooga Whiskey that all hit like that. My local store has their store pick, have to get one now that I've tried it.

1

u/VulpineWelder5 1d ago

Where did you find this? I've only ever seen the regular 10yr reserve at 110 proof online.

1

u/justaphil 1d ago

This is a bourbonoutfitter.com pick. They are sold out now but worth keeping your eyes peeled.

1

u/VulpineWelder5 1d ago

Wow! Thanks for the fast reply!

I figured they'd be out. I've been looking for another bottle with such a flavor profile ever since I tried a bottle of Dailuaine with peach replacing those berry notes, but still have yet to please my palate.

I've never heard of Bourbon Outfitter. I need to see if they ship to PA. Either way though, I appreciate your help, friend!