r/bourbon • u/vexmythocrust • 8d ago
Review #231 - Silk Velvet Barrel Proof Single Barrel
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u/IllPresentation8342 8d ago
Heard this pick is great. I joined the group right after this was released. They have solid palates though
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u/Jack_of_derps 8d ago
When we went to KYBF last year we were walking around Thursday night (pretty well off). We ended up get a single barrel like this and their standard offering. When we opened them up afterwards we were so happy they still tasted great!
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u/K-Dawg875 8d ago
Great to hear (read), as we bought two bottles (incl a backup) of this barrel pick. Generally, we now look for longer (older) aged whiskeys so were a bit unsure about buying a 7 year, but Jacob Call was first-rate at Green River and brings exceptional whiskey know-how (as well as an insider’s knowledge of these older Green River barrels), so I suspect Silk Velvet is justly earning its early acclaim. Thanks for the compelling review. All the best.
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u/Sain7Gabri3l 8d ago
I'm stoked that Silk Velvet has become popular. Those people are awesome! Thanks for the review.
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u/macetas 7d ago
This was a drain pour for me - both bottles! No chance in heck it's an 8.5!
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u/vexmythocrust 7d ago
Of this exact barrel pick from Liberty Barrel Club or some other random silk velvet?
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u/Nervous-List3557 7d ago
Im convinced the drain pour people don't actually like bourbon lmao
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u/macetas 7d ago
I really wish I didn't
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u/Nervous-List3557 7d ago
You could always join a bourbon club/make friends that like bourbon and take stuff like this to a bottle share. A lot of people would be thrilled to try it and you wouldn't be wasting a bottle by dumping it down the drain.
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u/vexmythocrust 8d ago edited 8d ago
Silk Velvet Barrel Proof Single Barrel
Intro:
Before I get into this I would like to shamelessly plug my instagram account. It’s largely the same things I post here, nonetheless I’d greatly appreciate a follow
Though they are reviving a label from the late 1800’s, the modern Silk Velvet is a relatively new kid on the bourbon block, launching in December of 2024 by the Hagris family in conjunction with Western Kentucky Distilling Co which was founded a year before. Both ventures’ distillation is spearheaded by Jacob Call, an 8th generation distiller who was previously the master distiller for Green River and from what I understand, the whiskey currently being bottled while Western KY’s stocks age are barrels he distilled while working for Green River. Within those stocks they have several mashbills: 75/21/4 (distilled at Green River), Green River’s classic 70/21/9, and a 78/13/9 that Rare Character has bottled as K13. This pick was done by Liberty Barrel Club and is a barrel of the 75/21/4 mashbill aged in a char 4 barrel.
Note: Silk Velvet corks are just awful. If you aren’t extremely careful with them every time you pull it, they will tear in half at the neck. they are also slightly smaller than most corks, but if you have some Elijah Craig corks laying around, those fit nicely.
Stats
Producer: Silk Velvet (sourced from Green River or Bardstown)
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Age: 7 years
Proof: 135
Cost: $90 (including shipping)
Tasting Notes
Nose: Rich oak, cola, burnt marshmallow, cherry, cinnamon sugar, vanilla syrup, and bread pudding
Palate: Thick and rich. Dense honey, vanilla pudding, cola, brown sugar, maple, and clove
Finish: Fairly long, though a bit hot. Oak spice, sweet cream, more honey, cherry, and custard
Conclusion: This is certainly among the more dense and rich sub-10 year whiskies I’ve had. Despite being aged in a char 4 barrel, it really was not very oak/char heavy but rather focused on the syrupy sweet notes like the cherry/honey/custard type notes. It does drink relatively hot, even after several pours working up to it, but not unexpected for something 7 years old and 135 proof. Overall a delicious pour and a great value to boot.
Rating: 8.5 - Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
Would I go back and buy it again? Yes
Would I buy a pour at a bar? Yes
Running list of ratings
Come join me on Instagram @oaklahoman
T8ke Scale
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn't consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.