LIMITED RELEASE
Barrel #491 – Limited Release Single Barrel Bourbon
107 Proof (53.5% alc/vol)
Aged 6 Years 3 Months
Some barrels show promise early.
Others earn their release by staying patient.
Barrel #491 comes from a single 10-gallon #4 char barrel and was aged 6 years, 3 months before being bottled at 107 proof (53.5% alc/vol). Made from a 100% corn mashbill, this straight bourbon is a good example of what happens when a grain-forward whiskey is given time to settle and come together on its own.
With corn-heavy bourbon, balance matters. There’s no secondary grain to lean on, so the barrel has to do its job without overpowering the spirit. In this case, the smaller barrel stayed active long enough to build depth, while the #4 char added structure, sweetness, and warmth without pushing things too far. At 107 proof, everything felt aligned — full flavor, good weight, and a clean finish without unnecessary heat.
In the glass, the color is a deep amber, showing the kind of extraction you expect from extended aging in a small barrel. The nose opens with toasted corn and warm grain, followed by caramel, vanilla, and lightly charred oak. It’s inviting without being flashy — the kind of aroma that keeps you coming back for another pull.
On the palate, caramel and roasted grain lead the way, supported by structured oak and a gentle rise of spice through the mid-palate. The proof carries the flavors well without overshadowing them. The finish is steady and lingering, with oak, vanilla, and soft grain sweetness hanging on just long enough to remind you why this barrel stood out.
Barrel #491 didn’t need much help. It just needed time.
AVAILABILITY
🛑 One barrel. One release.
Bottles are $76.99, limit 2 per person, available starting this morning.
Once it’s gone, that exact profile is gone with it — that’s the reality of single-barrel bourbon.
Outside Pennsylvania? Email info@mclaughlindistillery.com with a good contact number and shipping address, and we’ll take care of the rest.
We don’t release single barrels to chase numbers or trends.
We release them when the whiskey feels ready.
Barrel #491 checked all the boxes.
