Roll out the barrel

September 8, 2006 8:31 AM

I'm looking for a unique bourbon or whiskey-themed wedding gift for some friends. Maker's Mark ambassadorship is lame, more specifics inside.

Ideally I'd love to get them their own cask of bourbon that will mature in, say, 25 years. They're both big whiskey people and I like the idea of getting them something that represents the passing of time and their future life together. But I'm not sure it's possible, or economically feasable, to buy an entire barrel. Are there small barrels one can buy and have stored? Other suggestions welcome, thanks!

posted by sonofslim to Food & Drink (12 answers total)

I don't know about a whole barrel, and I don't know where you are located, but something very unique is happening in the Hudson Valley of New York. The Tuthilltown Gristmill is making small batch whiskey from locally grown corn. This is the first small business distillery awarded the right to make spirits in the state of New York since pre-prohibition. This is a good opportunity to try hand crafted spirits (they have vodka made from Hudson Valley apples too). Might make an interesting gift.
posted by spicynuts at 8:37 AM on September 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Oh actually I was mistaken, Sonofslim...if you scroll further down that page you will see that you can get a 3 gallon oak barrel of Hudson Valley Bourbon or Whiskey. They will make it to your specifications and create a personalized label. Looks pretty cool..there's a picture of the barrel.
posted by spicynuts at 8:39 AM on September 8, 2006

Response by poster: yeah, i saw that -- i've already sent them an inquiry. thanks for the link, that's exactly what i was looking for!
posted by sonofslim at 8:46 AM on September 8, 2006

My mother went to a good liquor store in Boston, and ended up buying three special bottles of bourbon - they came in a case together - and giving them to my boyfriend, a bourbon enthusiast. Maybe you could try something like that.
posted by Amizu at 8:51 AM on September 8, 2006

If they're bourbon drinkers they'll certainly appreciate Pappy Van Winkle 20 year (or 23, if you can find it).
http://www.oldripvanwinkle.com
It's pricey (about $100) as bourbons go but (in my opinion) there is nothing better. You can purchase the 20 year online here.
posted by beachhead2 at 8:52 AM on September 8, 2006

That's exactly what my mom got - Pappy Van Winkle 20 year, I believe, and a couple of other bottles that went with it. It was a hit in terms of the quality of the bourbon.
posted by Amizu at 8:54 AM on September 8, 2006

Amizu: It's a matter of taste but I don't think there is any better bourbon. Most bourbon connoisseurs agree. Certainly there is nothing older.
posted by beachhead2 at 8:57 AM on September 8, 2006

I'm a scotch drinker myself and haven't yet found a bourbon I like, I'll have to try that Poppy Van Winkle some day though.

Oh, and an entire barrel? Way cool! But remember the angels' share (part of the barrel will evaporate over time, anywhere from 2% to 10%) depending on time.
posted by Vindaloo at 9:05 AM on September 8, 2006

Heaven Hill just announced a limited-availability, 21-year-old bourbon. "Ultra-premium," $150 a bottle - they're only releasing about 3,000 bottles of it ...
posted by jbickers at 9:07 AM on September 8, 2006

Two other websites of interest to bourbon drinkers are Buffalo Trace and StraightBourbon.com.
posted by ikkyu2 at 12:29 PM on September 8, 2006

To get off the bourbon track for a bit, Bushmills Irish Whiskey makes a millenium edition that was sold only by the cask. I don't know if there are any casks left, but several distributors bought casks and sold bottles of the stuff, and excellent stuff it is as well (25 year old single malt Irish). If you're anywhere near California, check out Hi Times Liquor in Newport Beach, or the Wine and Liquor Depot in Van Nuys. If you want to spend 5 digits on spirits, you can in these shops.
posted by p8r1ck at 4:59 PM on September 8, 2006

I dunno if it's within your budget (the expo isn't too dear, but you'd probably want to include hotel and possibly airfare), but tix to the Whiskies of the World Expo might be a good one.
posted by oats at 6:32 PM on September 8, 2006