You might think whiskey is just whiskey. It comes in a glass, burns a little going down, and makes you feel like you know more about oak than you actually do.
But in the world of bourbon, not all bottles are created equal. This week on the Whiskey@Work podcast, we’re digging into two terms you’ve probably seen on labels and never fully understood: small batch and single barrel.
Spoiler: they’re not just marketing fluff. Okay, sometimes they are. But not always.
Let’s start simple. A single barrel bourbon is exactly what it sounds like. All the whiskey in that bottle came from one barrel. One tree’s worth of wood, one aging process, one set of environmental conditions. It’s unique, nuanced, and can swing wildly in flavor from bottle to bottle, even within the same brand. It’s whiskey with a personality.
Small batch, on the other hand, is a bit more mysterious. It sounds artisanal, but there’s no legal definition for what makes a batch “small.” It could be ten barrels. It could be 200. That’s up to the distillery. What matters is the blend. This is where the art comes in. A master blender picks and combines barrels to create a consistent flavor profile. Think of it like a bourbon harmony instead of a solo performance.
The podcast team, Mark and Rob, in midseason whiskey-hunting form, focused their latest tasting on Benchmark bourbons, the quiet little cousin of Buffalo Trace. This week’s pour: the Small Batch (90 proof) and the Single Barrel (95 proof).
The verdict? The Small Batch was shockingly close to the flavor of Buffalo Trace itself. Sweet, smooth, and ridiculously drinkable. The Single Barrel had a bit more oak and punch, but drank a little hotter than expected for 95 proof.
Both bottles? Under $20. Let that sink in.
This isn’t just a good value. It’s a whiskey education in a bottle. Or six bottles, if you’re lucky enough to have the whole Benchmark lineup. The brand offers a step-by-step bourbon learning ladder, starting at 80 proof and climbing to a fiery 125. Each step introduces you to the nuances of proof, blending, and barrel aging.
As the Whiskey@Work hosts put it, this is how you learn what you like without draining your bank account.
Before you head to the liquor store and get overwhelmed by labels, here’s your cheat sheet:
Single Barrel means one barrel, one flavor profile. Expect surprises.
Small Batch is a blend of select barrels, crafted for consistency.
Blended Bourbon is often used as a catch-all. It can mean anything from carefully crafted to a cost-saving mix.
Cask Strength or Full Proof is high-octane stuff. Respect it.
Catch the latest episode of Whiskey@Work wherever you get your podcasts. Next week, they’re turning up the proof with Benchmark’s Bonded and Cask Strength bottles. Prepare your palate and maybe clear your schedule.
