Want Custom Distilled Bourbon Barrels? This Kentucky Startup Can Do That

For whiskey aficionados seeking bespoke bourbon barrels, the options have generally been limited to working with a distillery to select a single barrel of pre-made distillate, or contract distilling—with a minimum order of 100 barrels. Now, there’s a third option. Barrel Global has launched a custom distillation and barrel program called Kentucky Bourbon Retreat, a three-day immersive experience that lets you pick the mashbill and maturation process for 10 barrels. Those bespoke barrels are yours to do whatever you wish.

The Kentucky Bourbon Retreat experience costs $35,000, though the price varies based on the size of your group and the barrel yield. Included in that fee are 10 barrels filled with new-make bourbon—made from a completely custom mashbill of your choosing—as well as full participation in the mashing, fermentation, distillation, and barreling process. You also get lodging, dinner, and an extensive bourbon tasting.

The three-day experience includes various educational elements. You’ll learn how distillation works, and taste through a slew of bourbons alongside a master distiller, to hone in on your ideal flavor profile. Then you’ll select your custom mashbill, taste your new mash and distillate, and even participate in cutting between the heads, hearts, and tails before proofing your final liquid. You’ll head back to the distillery on the third day to fill, seal, and leakproof your barrels, and then finally roll them into the rickhouse.

Your barrels rest and mature at the distillery’s warehouse until they reach your desired age. Then the distillery will either bottle the bourbon, so you can create a custom label for friends or family, or, with the assistance of Barrel Global, you can sell the full barrels on the open market. The range of options here is interesting, given that the future of the bourbon market seems to be moving toward micro blends, micro-batches, and brands that have extremely limited offerings, such as Rare Character and Dark Arts Whiskey House.

Barrel Group is launching this retreat with Casey Jones Distillery, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, says founder George Koutsakis. “Bourbon distilling has captivated a global audience, and this experience allows attendees to step into the highly coveted role of distiller for a day under the careful tutelage of a highly trained distilling expert while respecting the traditions, legacies, and expertise that these notable craftspeople bring to the industry,” Koutsakis said in a statement.

Barrel Global notes that it’s looking to expand to different experiences with different distilling partners in the coming months.