Over the years, we've watched whiskey labels become increasingly specific; single-malts, small-batch, limited edition and single-barrel options abound. But it doesn't get any more exclusive than a single barrel sold to a single person--you.
For legal reasons, the whiskey in the barrels must be bottled before shipping, and your state may require delivery to a retail store. But on the plus side, most distillers will let you keep the empty barrel as a souvenir.
Here's where to buy your whiskey, bespoke and bountiful:
Bruichladdich Invest in a barrel "futures" program at this Islay distillery. Purchase a barrel of just-distilled whiskey and Bruichladdich will store it until it reaches maturity (around 10 years), then bottle, label and ship the contents to you.
House Spirits For the truly discerning whiskey geek, the Whisk(e)y Your Way program allows you to specify nearly every parameter of your barrel's contents. Want a quadruple-distilled, Champagne yeast-fermented rice whiskey aged in a new French oak and bottled at cask strength? House Spirits can do that. Prices start at $4,900 for a 15-gallon barrel.
Jack Daniel's At this famous Tennessee distillery, you can pick out your own barrel of whiskey or leave it up to the experts. Your selection (averaging about $10,000 a barrel) will yield roughly 240 bottles, each of which can be adorned with your own customized label.
Tuthilltown Spirits This New York distillery (pictured) offers many (and more affordable) options, and it'll let you choose your spirit (bourbon, rye or rum), barrel size (from three to 14 gallons) and age preference. The cost is set at 10 percent below the retail bottle price.
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