Saint Cloud 8 Year Bourbon Single Barrel Bourbon

A little background

Saint Cloud, established by Ray Walker, a renowned Grand Cru wine producer from Burgundy, France, is a whiskey brand dedicated to honoring Walker’s Kentucky heritage, which traces back to the early 19th century. With a focus on quality and refinement, Saint Cloud produces micro-batch whiskeys by sourcing from various Kentucky distilleries to craft distinctive expressions, embodying Walker’s vision of a “labor of love” that connects to his family’s deep Kentucky roots.

Saint Cloud 8 Year Single Barrel Bourbon is sourced from the famed Barton distillery in Bardstown, KY, with the liquid actually carrying an age of 9.5 years. It is priced at $135 USD for a 750ml, positioning it at a relatively lower price point for a single barrel bourbon of this age and pedigree.

Each single barrel is meticulously selected by Ray Walker himself, chosen specifically based on its aromatics, mouthfeel, and finish. Furthermore, this release is unfiltered (literally, zero filtering), ensuring that the full character, flavor, and texture of the nearly decade-old bourbon are preserved directly from the barrel to the bottle.

(Tasted neat from a Champagne Flute)

Color

Dark Gold

Nose

Orange marmalade, pancake syrup, nugget/milky way bar, clove, peanuts, and oak.

Palate

Orange and lemon citrus, baking spice (cinnamon, clove and nutmeg), dried apricots, golden raisins, pancake syrup, pecans, espresso, and oak.

Finish

Continued baking spice (cinnamon, clove and nutmeg), dried apricots, golden raisins, orange, salted peanuts, dark chocolate, leather, and a slightly drying oak.

In closing

Saint Cloud 8 Year Bourbon Single Barrel Bourbon delivers an effortless and rich experience, with a viscous nose bursting with orange marmalade, pancake syrup, and nutty oak, complemented by a palate of vibrant citrus, baking spices, and dried fruits. The finish carries forward with spiced apricots, salted peanuts, and dark chocolate, though the alcohol occasionally overshadows the harmony. Its pleasant oily mouthfeel and pronounced citrus-nut profile shine, especially with some air time to open up, making this unfiltered bourbon a delightful sipper. At $135 for a 9.5-year-old single barrel, Saint Cloud’s consumer-centric focus on value stands out in an era of escalating whiskey prices, offering a delicious and approachable pour for enthusiasts.

NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Saint Cloud. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.