Barrel Pick Stellum Vega 2023

For those unfamiliar, the Stellum brand is a refreshing change of price from Barrel Craft Spirits without compromising on their penchant for blending some brilliant brown water.  Founder Joe Beatrice and Chief Whiskey Scientist Tripp Stimson have become a tour de force in the whiskey world and show no signs of slowing down.

A few months back we sat with friends from Stellum and an array of unique barrels from their MGP inventory.  We had a chance to sample from 3 different mashbills, each named after a constellation ... yet our hearts & taste buds settled into one sample dubbed 'Vega'.  A moniker reserved for their 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Barley Malt mash bills.  And while there's much to be said of everything we sampled through, we had to pick one and one only.

We're excited to offer you our Stellum Vega Single Barrel Bourbon pick - because from the first pour, it shined.  Each swirl and subsequent sniff radiated with layers of unique character and with just one sip, it was abundantly clear - this was the one!

Clocking in at 120.56 proof, this pick drinks well under.  Pouring a light mahogany color.  Luscious notes of caramel, baked apples, whipped cream, sweet cornbread and red cherry climb out of the glass.  A delicate veil of mixed spice envelopes it all.  The palate presents a viscous attack, unfolding in layers of complexity yet the finish winds down towards a delicate sweetness and a lasting impression of nuance.