Breaking Bourbon Award Winning Single Barrel Club picks are selected by Breaking Bourbon, and whenever possible with the help of Patreon supporters. The bottles are made available to Patreon supporters first by pledge tier. If any bottles remain after all supporters have had an opportunity to purchase, they are made available to the public on a first come, first served basis. Each barrel is sponsored by a retailer partner, who sells the bottles directly to end purchasers.

Retailer Partner: Seelbach’s

Classification: Straight Bourbon

Company: MGP  

Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP)

Age: 17 Years

Proof: 141

Mashbill: 99% Corn, 1% Malted Barley

Yield: 70 Bottles

Release Date: April 2025

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Rollout Schedule

Tier 1 - Monday 4/7/2025 @ 2PM ET
Tier 2 - Tuesday 4/8/2025 @ 2PM ET
Tier 3 - Wednesday 4/9/25 @ 2PM ET
Tier 4 - Thursday 4/10/25 @ 2PM ET

About the Tiers

Is there such a thing as a highly drinkable HAZMAT whiskey?

We didn’t seek an answer to that question, but stumbled on an answer anyway.

American light whiskey is defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) as “Whisky produced in the U.S. at more than 80% alcohol by volume (160 proof) [but less than 95% alcohol by volume (190 proof)] and stored in used or uncharred new oak containers.” This contrasts bourbon, which must be distilled to no more than 160 proof and aged in new charred oak containers. While bourbon has a 51% or greater corn requirement for the mashbill, American light whiskey does not have any specific requirement, though typically corn makes up most or all of the mashbill because it’s low cost and plentiful. Neither bourbon or light whiskey have a minimum age requirement.

Light whiskey is often labeled as “American Whiskey,” so if you think you haven’t had it yet you may have and not known it. It’s characteristically sweet, and often high proof when bottled at cask strength - hence the term “light” can be deceiving.  

We are really excited about this barrel and the fact that Penelope has introduced American light whiskey into their lineup. In early discussions with Penelope Bourbon founders Mike Paladini and Danny Polise, we talked about the fact that light whiskey remained undiscovered in the American whiskey market but had a flavor profile that we really enjoyed, and that resonated with our readers. Thankfully MGP had aged stock, and the duo was able to find barrels and introduce them into their lineup. They have since released 13 year, 15 year, and 17 year American light whiskeys, and we’ve enjoyed every one one of them.

To that end, we’re excited to have had the chance to dig through some of the 17 year old barrels aging at MGP, and select one of them for our single barrel club. To our surprise it was a short barrel yielding only 70 bottles. We hope you all enjoy this barrel as much as we do!

Tasting Notes:‍

This dessert-in-a-glass HAZMAT American light whiskey starts with all kinds of sweets on the nose. Kettle corn, vanilla custard, and brown sugar are complemented by aged oak and cinnamon-sugar covered graham cracker. There’s some undulating warmth in the palate, with buttercream frosting, creme brulee, and burnt white sugar upfront. Hints of aged oak and tobacco layer in, adding contrast. The sip ends with lingering sweets and a warm, savory cinnamon spice that meets an aged leather note and seems to last forever.

About Seelbach’s

‍For this pick, we partnered with spirits retailer Seelbach’s, which was founded by Blake Riber, also the creator of Bourbonr and the Bourbonr Facebook group. An online-only retailer with a twist, we interviewed Riber to discuss how he’s running his shop differently than everyone else. “Unlocking Craft Spirits” he calls it - seeking out up-and-coming craft distilleries and learning about their process and tasting through their products to find hidden gems.

Distillers, Producers, and Retailers: If you would like to be a part of this program and get your name in front of millions of bourbon enthusiasts, contact us.

‍Please note these bottles will not be sold by Breaking Bourbon, but will be sold by retailers we partner with in order to fulfill the orders and ship the bottles directly to Patreon supporters. Breaking Bourbon will receive no compensation from our partner retailers under these agreements (with the exception of a bottle from each barrel for editorial purposes). If you represent a retailer and ship to consumers and you’re interested in partnering just let us know!