2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold Medal Winner
CURRENT CASK: 5 year, 3 month 123.8 Proof (61.9% alc/vol)
Dark amber in color. Clings to glass with slow moving legs. Butterscotch sweetness on the nose, very thick on the palate with heavy tones of oak, hints of baking spices ,and vanilla undertones. Very clean/smooth finish for a 123.8 proof. Lingers on the palate but in the best way possible.
There’s something almost magical about bourbon. With just a few humble ingredients—corn, water, yeast, and time—a transformation takes place inside a charred wooden barrel. Patience works its magic, evolving those simple components into a rich, complex, and beautifully balanced spirit. Bourbon isn’t just something you drink; it’s something you savor, appreciate, and experience.
Bourbon is a world of its own, and every distillery puts its own signature twist on it. At McLaughlin Distillery, we do things our way—starting with a 100% corn mash bill. It’s not the most common choice, but that’s exactly why we do it. This approach gives our bourbon a naturally smooth, slightly sweeter profile, allowing the deep caramel, warm vanilla, and bold oak flavors to take center stage.
And then there’s the baby in Baby Barrel Bourbon. Our tiny 2.5-gallon barrels may be small, but they pack a serious punch. The smaller size means more direct contact between the spirit and the wood, which leads to bigger, bolder flavors in every sip. We source our oak from up North, where colder climates slow tree growth, creating tighter grain patterns with more growth rings per inch. Why does that matter? Because it results in a deeper, richer infusion of oak flavors—layering in everything from toasted caramel and spice to buttery vanilla and smoky char.
Then comes the moment we wait years for—the barrel harvest. After five years of aging, opening a Baby Barrel is an experience all its own. The aroma alone is intoxicating—sweet, warm, and bursting with vanilla, caramel, and toasted spice. It’s the ultimate reward for patience and craftsmanship, a moment where every ounce of hard work and dedication pays off.
But Cask Strength Baby Barrel Bourbon takes things to another level. This is a single-cask, unblended bourbon, bottled at cask strength (120-125 proof). No dilution, no adjustments—just pure, unfiltered intensity straight from the barrel. The result? A powerful, full-bodied sip that delivers an extreme depth of flavor, a rich, buttery mouthfeel, and a long, lingering warmth that keeps you coming back for more. This bourbon isn’t just bold—it’s unapologetically so.
To share or not to share… well, that’s entirely up to you.
- 750 ml & 50 ml now available!
- 60% - 62.5% ABV
