Single barrel. Small batch. Bottled-in-Bond…
What the heck does any of that mean?
Even more…why does any of it matter?
And why are there such drastic price differences between these labels?
Rest my child.
The Bourbon Inspector is here–and I’m about to clear all of this up once and for all.
In just a few moments, you’ll know everything there is to know about single barrel vs. small batch bourbon.
What’s the Difference Between Single Barrel and Small Batch Bourbon?
The main difference between single barrel and small batch bourbon is that single barrel comes from one barrel and small batch comes from several barrels.
Why does the amount of barrels used to produce a bottle of bourbon matter?
Because fewer barrels means you get more a unique and enhanced flavor.
Let’s dive into this further.
What Is Small Batch Bourbon?
A “small batch” bourbon is made from a select number of barrels. The specific number of barrels can vary, but is usually anywhere from 5-50 depending on the distiller.
This limit on the amount of barrels used in a bottling run means a small batch bourbon will contain more unique characteristics and flavors from the aging process–which can be drastically different from barrel to barrel due to positions in the rickhouse.
How is this different than a “standard” bottle?
Most bottling runs for standard bottles contain hundreds of barrels. And when they’re mixed together for bottling, they lose their unique characteristics and help distillers deliver a consistent product.
What Is Single Barrel Bourbon?
A “single barrel” bourbon means it comes from ONE barrel. The bottle you get has those completely unique characteristics and enhanced flavors from whatever its aging conditions happened to be.
The bourbon can also be influenced more significantly by the bottling process when it comes from a single barrel.
That’s why single barrel bottles of the same bourbon can often taste substantially different. And that’s why, as a bourbon enthusiast, it’s so fun to buy “store picks” of your favorite brand because you get to taste the bourbon you’ve come to know and love but with different nuances with each different barrel.
What Is Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon?
Bottled-in-Bond simply means a bourbon is at least 4 years old. The name comes from the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 which protects consumers from buying low-quality products.
It requires all whiskey with the “Bottled-in-Bond” label to be:
- Aged a minimum of 4 years
- A product of one distillation season at one distillery
- Aged in a federally bonded warehouse under U.S. government supervision
- Bottled at 100 proof
Because of this, many bourbons can be both “Bottled-in-Bond” and “Single Barrel” or “Small Batch”.
FAQs About Single Barrel, Small Batch, Bottled-in-Bond, and Other Bourbon Terms
1. Is single barrel or small batch bourbon better?
Single barrel is generally veiwed as better than small batch bourbon, but this isn’t a hard and fast rule. Single barrel bourbon costs distillers more to make because they can’t blend hundreds or thousands of barrels to make it (like they do with standard bottles) and the flavor is enhanced based on the unique characteristics of the barrel the bourbon is aged in.
But this doesn’t necessarily mean a single barrel bourbon will taste better than a small batch. This is where your taste preferences come into play.
2. What is the difference between single barrel and double barrel bourbon?
Double barrel bourbon simply means the whiskey aged in one barrel, then was transferred to another barrel for additional aging. This has a tendency to make the distillate even richer because it’s exposed to another new charred oak barrel after its first round of aging.
3. Why is single barrel bourbon more expensive?
Single barrel is more expensive than small batch or standard bourbons because it costs more for distillers to create. When you use a single barrel, you aren’t able to blend hundreds or thousands of barrels together to cancel out possible imperfections (as with standard bottles).
Therefore, the quality control is substantially higher on single barrel bourbon–which leads to the higher price.
There’s also the simple fact of demand being higher for single barrel bourbon and supply being lower than normal.
Looking for Some Great Bottles of Bourbon?
If you’re wondering about the specific differences between small batch and single barrel bourbon, chances are, you like you some bourbon.
And that means you’ve come to the right place.
At Bourbon Inspector, we compile ever-evolving lists of the best bourbons in different price ranges, mashbills, and more.
And you can view some of our most popular lists below:
Hunter Branch is the Founder and Director of Editorial for Bourbon Inspector. He has been writing about and professionally reviewing bourbon since 2020 (and has been drinking it for much longer). He’s been able to interview big names in the bourbon industry like Trey Zoeller from Jefferson’s Bourbon and his work has been featured in publications like TastingTable, Mashed, and more.