Individual Review: Nulu Single Barrel - D Vine Wines and Spirits

Opening Statements (Description of the Whiskey):

Nulu Single Barrel is a barrel proof single barrel bourbon bottled by Prohibition Craft Spirits Distilling Company (PCS) . PCS is a relatively new company founded in 2016. They are located in downtown Louisville, KY. The company currently sources their whiskey from MGP while they are aging their own. In addition to whiskey, PCS also produces a gin, vodka, rum, and Rep0sado (which are not sourced spirits).

The particular barrel that this bottle comes from a barrel selected and purchased by amazing people at D Vine Wines and Spirits.

Distillery: Midwest Grain Products (MGP)

Bottling Company: Prohibition Craft Spirits Distilling Company (PCS)

Mash Bill: 21% Rye with Unknown Percentages of Corn or Other Grains

Proof: 112.2

Age: 5 Years and 3 Months

Direct Examination (AKA Tasting Notes):

Nose: Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal, Honey, Quiet Creamy Vanilla, Oak, and Strong Ethanol

Palate: Gram Cracker, Cherry, Baked Cinnamon Apple, Honey, Vanilla, Black Pepper

Finish: Brown Sugar, Burnt Caramel, More Baked Cinnamon Apple, Vanilla, Tobacco, Black Pepper, and Oak

Length: Long

Mouth Feel: Heavy

Cross Examination (AKA The Whiskey's Shortcomings):

This Bourbon has a plethora of heat. The oak notes could be interpreted as too powerful by some people.

Closing Arguments (AKA Conclusions about the Whiskey):

This is a quality whiskey. The stars of the show are definitely brown sugar and cinnamon, blending exquisitely to create the notes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Gram Cracker. The oak flavors, while strong, complement the whiskey by balancing out these sweeter notes.

There are two things holding this whiskey back from being one of my all time favorites: intense heat and strong oak. I tried adding water to this bourbon to help with the heat, but it muted the flavors too much for my liking. Rather, I found that taking the time to become acclimated to the burn was a better option. The oak flavor does an excellent job of balancing out the sweetness, it does teeter on becoming overwhelming.

This bourbon goes for $80 at D Vine Wines and Spirits. As with most barrel proof whiskeys in today's market, this is a bit overpriced, especially for an MGP sourced whiskey ($60 would be more fair I think). However, I do enjoy this just enough to fork over the money again. There are plenty of delicious flavors to explore in this bourbon and they mingle nicely with one another. Once again, D Vine Wine and Spirits knocked it out of the park with this barrel pick.

Verdict (AKA Score): 7.75

Verdict Key:

10: I do not possess the vocabulary to adequately or accurately describe this masterpiece. It should not be possible for man to create such art.

9: Incredible. Hoard this stuff. Paying secondary market prices is totally worth it.

8: A real pleasure to sip. Always try to have at least one bottle and a back up on hand.

7: A solid pour. Daily drinker for sure. Try to have a bottle on hand.

6: Would not say no to a pour if offered to me, but I won't go out of my way to find it.

5: Good to mix with a coke.

4: Swing and a miss. A mixer makes it tolerable.

3: Only if I had nothing else to drink in the house.

2: Was this made in a prison toilet?

1: This is the stuff the KGB used to slowly and painfully kill prisoners. 0: An abomination of epic proportions. Should not be called whiskey.