Buckner’s Single Barrel 13 from Augusta Distillery represents Kentucky craft distilling at its finest. This single barrel bourbon expression showcases the distillery’s commitment to quality with a fruit-forward profile that balances brightness with traditional oak influence.
Quick Take
| Profile: Fruit-forward with apple and pear leading, oak backbone |
| Character: Bright citrus notes transition to classic bourbon oak |
| Standout Feature: Excellent fruit and oak balance |
| Best For: Bourbon drinkers who enjoy fruit-forward expressions |
| Complexity: Medium finish with heavy oak presence |
About Augusta Distillery
Augusta Distillery operates in Augusta, Bracken County, Kentucky, focusing on single barrel expressions that highlight unique flavor profiles. The Buckner’s line represents their premium offerings, with each single barrel sourced from an undisclosed producer while Augusta’s own distillate continues to mature. This is a common and legitimate practice that allows smaller operations to bring well-aged whiskey to market on their own timeline.
Appearance and Color
This single barrel expression presents with the rich amber hue typical of well-aged bourbon, reflecting good barrel interaction and the 13 years of maturation that become apparent throughout the tasting experience.
Nose
The nose immediately presents a delightful fruit bowl character, leading with crisp apple and fresh pear notes. These bright fruit aromas create an inviting first impression that draws you in for deeper exploration. Behind the fruit, oak makes its presence known but doesn’t overpower the more delicate aromatics, a testament to Augusta’s careful barrel selection.
Palate
The palate shifts the fruit profile slightly, with tangerine taking center stage alongside the oak influence. This citrus note adds brightness and complexity, creating a more dynamic flavor experience than the nose alone delivers. The oak provides structure and depth without overwhelming the fruit character, showing good integration between the spirit and barrel influence.
Finish
The finish delivers medium length with heavy oak presence becoming the dominant characteristic. This oak-forward conclusion provides a satisfying contrast to the fruit-bright opening, creating a well-rounded tasting experience that evolves from start to finish. The oak doesn’t come across as harsh or overpowering, but rather as a natural conclusion to the flavor journey.
Who Should Buy This
Buckner’s Single Barrel 13 appeals to bourbon enthusiasts who appreciate fruit-forward expressions with classic oak character. It’s particularly well-suited for drinkers who enjoy the complexity of single barrel selections and want something that balances brightness with traditional bourbon characteristics. Those who prefer heavily spiced or smoky bourbons might find this expression too fruit-focused for their tastes.
Where to Buy
Buckner’s Single Barrel 13 is available directly through Augusta Distillery’s website, at liquor stores throughout Kentucky and Ohio, and potentially through retailers in other states. At $229.99 for a 750ml bottle, this sits at the higher end of the sourced bourbon market, reflecting the extra years of maturation in the barrel. As with all single barrel releases, availability at any given retailer can vary.
FAQ
What makes this a single barrel bourbon?
Single barrel bourbon comes from one specific barrel rather than being blended from multiple barrels. This means each bottle can have slight variations in flavor, making each barrel selection unique.
How should I drink Buckner’s Single Barrel 13?
Given its fruit-forward character, this bourbon works well neat or with a small splash of water to open up the flavors. The fruit notes also make it interesting in classic bourbon cocktails where the brightness can shine through.
Is this good for bourbon beginners?
The fruit-forward profile makes this more approachable than heavily oak or spice-dominant bourbons, though the proof level should be considered for newer bourbon drinkers.
What foods pair well with this bourbon?
The fruit character pairs nicely with desserts, particularly those featuring apples or pears. It also complements aged cheeses and charcuterie where the oak influence can balance richer flavors.
Final Verdict
Buckner’s Single Barrel 13 delivers a compelling fruit-forward bourbon experience that showcases Augusta Distillery’s barrel selection skills. The progression from bright fruit aromatics through citrus flavors to an oak-dominated finish creates an engaging tasting journey. While the heavy oak finish might not appeal to everyone, it provides good balance to the fruit character. Worth noting that this is sourced whiskey, a bridge offering while Augusta’s house-made bourbon develops, and it earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars for its quality execution and distinctive character.
