Oakley 18 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey The Prime Barrel Pick #158

It’s finally here, the first-ever private single barrel from Oakley Spirits, an exceptional 18-year-old hazmat Kentucky bourbon that defines precision, rarity, and power.  Selected blind by eight Prime Barrel members, this barrel showcases the full potential of extended aging, with deeply caramelized oak sugars driving the profile and delivering a bourbon that is rich, layered, and remarkably well-integrated.

Oakley Spirits is a woman-led bourbon brand inspired by the pioneering spirit of sharpshooter Annie Oakley, built on independence, discipline, and exacting standards.  While the brand emerged publicly just over a year ago, its foundation was laid a decade earlier through the quiet curation and long-term aging of exceptional barrels.

This 143-proof Oakley single barrel was distilled in 2007 in Bardstown, KY, at Barton 1792 Distillery, from their classic Kentucky 74/18/8 mashbill.  After 18 years of maturation, it competed among four barrels aged 18-20 years - including a 20-year-old Heaven Hill barrel - and was the clear standout.  

What separated this barrel from the others is its complete integration of age, sweetness, spice, and oak - a balance that only a small fraction of barrels ever reach.  Think notes of silky brown butter and molasses-rich brown sugar leading into a hint of spiced cherry compote and a whisper of dark chocolate with a warm, lingering finish of caramel, butterscotch, leather, and soft oak spice.  

The inaugural Oakley private selection sets a high-water mark for ultra-aged single-barrel bourbon, embodying what’s possible when patience meets uncompromising selection standards.  Many barrels don’t survive 18 years with elegance.  This one did, but it comes with an ultra-low bottle yield.

Barrel Details:

• Barrel #07-028
• Distilled:  2007 by Barton 1792 in Bardstown, KY
• Age:  18 years
• Mashbill: 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted barley
• Proof: 143 proof

Tasting Notes:

• Nose:  Decadent caramel, vanilla bean, hint of cherry compote, pencil shavings, refined mature oak
• Palate:  Brown butter and brown sugar opening into spiced cherry compote, a whisper of dark chocolate, and caramelized oak sugars
• Finish:  Long and warming with caramel, butterscotch, leather, and soft oak spice

Nose: Decadent caramel, vanilla bean, hint of cherry compote, pencil shavings, refined mature oak

Palate: Brown butter and brown sugar opening into spiced cherry compote, a whisper of dark chocolate, and caramelized oak sugars

Finish: Long and warming with caramel, butterscotch, leather, and soft oak spice