Distillery: Distilled in Owensboro—Kentucky (see below review for more)
Proof: 112.6 (53.3% ABV)
Age: Five—Six Years
Mashbill: Undisclosed
MSRP: $44
A $44 Bottle That Hits Like a $70
Wheel Horse Whiskey has carved out a lane by emphasizing consistency, value, and proof-forward releases—all while remaining open about where its whiskey comes from. While the label doesn’t explicitly say “Green River,” their fingerprints are all over it.
Barrel Master Select is a limited release blended from just twelve barrels of Kentucky straight bourbon, aged roughly five years and bottled at 112.6 proof, non-chill filtered, and straight from the barrel. In a category where some producers lean on vague sourcing or underaged blends, this one puts its production on the table and lets the whiskey do the talking.
The structure leans rich, with enough depth to keep things grounded and just enough restraint to avoid becoming overly sweet. So how does this twelve-barrel blend hold up in the glass?
Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select Batch 1 (2025) Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4.4/5
Cherry. Mocha. Warm spice.
Strengths: Opens rich. Juicy red cherry notes.
Why It’s Not Higher: Could use a hint of green apple to elevate the traditional bourbon complexity.
Rating Justification: Bold and expressive. Full-on delivery of what barrel proof fans want—raw, undiluted aromas that tantalizes the Nose.
Palate – 4.6/5
Brown butter. Peanut brittle. Cola. Clove.
Strengths: Rich butter warmth sets the stage. Clove spice brings a pop of intensity. The peanut brittle adds both sweetness and nuttiness.
Why It’s Not Higher: While the pour is highly satisfying, some may find the cola and peanut brittle combo is weighted a bit too heavy in the profile.
Rating Justification: Flavorful. Layered. Delivers complexity. No harshness.
Finish – 4.4/5
Toasted walnut. Molasses. Cocoa nib.
Strengths: Long, comforting Finish. Confectionary-like burnt sugar.
Why It’s Not Higher: The warmth and sweetness—some may wish for more bitter notes to offset.
Rating Justification: A satisfyingly long ending that stays true to the profile established on the Nose and Palate.
Value – 4.8/5
This is premium-tier flavor without the premium-tier markup.
At $44, Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select lands well above its competitors. This 112.6-proof, 5-year bourbon—built from a small batch of just 12 barrels—brings more clarity and structure than many similarly priced peers.
It’s not positioned as a collectible, and it doesn’t try to be. Instead, it delivers a flavor experience that encourages you to pour it again. For drinkers who value proof, production honesty, and blending precision, this bottle more than holds its own.
Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select Batch 1 (2025) Review: The Verdict
Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select delivers a bold profile for a 5ish-year, barrel-proof bourbon. The layered sweetness—mocha, brown butter, peanut brittle—is underwritten by clove spice that offers depth without harshness. It’s a well-executed 12-barrel blend that overdelivers at $44. Shop now
Verdict – 4.5/5
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 4.5 – 5
- Gold – 4 – 4.5
- Silver – 3 – 4
- Bronze – <3
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.
