Buffalo Trace Distillery, an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky, has announced the release of the fourteenth round of bourbon in its Single Oak Project, and they’re asking for your help.
The Single Oak Project is part of an intensive research project that the distillery started conducting in 1999 by hand picking 96 trees with different wood grains and then dividing them into a top and bottom piece, yielding 192 unique sections. A single barrel was created from each tree section, resulting in 192 total barrels. These barrels were given either a number three or a number four char and then filled with either wheat or rye recipe bourbon. To further the variety of experiments, the barrels were filled at two different proofs, 105 and 125 proof. And if this wasn’t enough, two completely different warehouses were used, one with wooden floors and one with concrete floors. In total, seven different variables were employed in Buffalo Trace’s ultimate experiment.
The distillery has conducted this tracking process for eight years, creating intricate databases and coming up with a potential of 1,396 tasting combinations from these 192 barrels. Single Oak Project Bourbon is being released in a series every three months from 2011 through 2015 until all of the 192 barrels have been released. The first release hit select stores in 2011. This fourteenth release will reach stores at the end of August. Like all the other releases, the quantities are very limited. Every case will contain twelve 375ml bottles, each from a different barrel. Suggested retail pricing per bottle is $46.35.
Here’s where you come in: Buffalo Trace is asking you to rate each whiskey you taste online. Create a profile, rate each bottle, view aging details and provenance of each barrel and interact with others who have also reviewed the barrel. Earn points after reach review and, most importantly, be a part of helping Buffalo Trace Distillery create the perfect bourbon!
At the conclusion of the Single Oak Project, the distillery plans to take the top rated Single Oak Project Bourbon and make more just like it, under the Single Oak name.
About Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery dates back to 1786 and includes such legends as E. H. Taylor Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace is a fully operational distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site; is a National Historic Landmark; and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies.
