Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select Batch 1 Review

A little background

Wheel Horse Whiskey, distilled and matured at the historic Green River Distilling in Owensboro, Kentucky, introduces its Barrel Master Select series with Batch 1, a Kentucky Straight Bourbon bottled at 112.6 proof. This limited release of 2,100 bottles, priced at an SRP of $39.99, is crafted by Barrel Master Stephen Corrigan using a blend of twelve hand-selected barrels aged 5 to 6 years. The bourbon, made with a mash bill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley, is bottled without chill filtration to preserve its full character and complexity.

Founded in 1885, Green River Distilling serves as the production home for Wheel Horse, with batching and bottling completed at Wheel Horse HQ in Rhode Island. Since its debut in 2020, the brand has earned recognition, including a spot in Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 Whiskies of 2021 for its flagship 101-proof bourbon. Barrel Master Select Batch 1 marks the brand’s first venture into barrel-proof offerings, showcasing the distillery’s commitment to bold, unfiltered whiskey. 

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Gold

Nose

Cherry-dominant (dark red/juicy varieties) with mocha undertones, baking spice (cinnamon/clove), caramel, raspberry, and a hint of lime jello.

Palate

Rich and layered with brown butter/toffee base, nutty sweetness (peanut brittle/walnut), dark cherry fruit, and spicy clove/cinnamon; cola and vanilla.

Finish

Long and warming with lingering spice (white pepper/cinnamon), toasted nut/molasses sweetness, cocoa/burnt sugar echoes, and subtle dry wood.

In closing

Wheel Horse Barrel Master Select Batch 1 is a standout bourbon, distilled at the historic Green River Distilling in Owensboro, Kentucky, for Wheel Horse Whiskey, delivering exceptional value at an unbeatable $40 price point that outshines many pricier competitors. Bottled at a robust 112.6 proof without chill filtration, this small-batch release of just 2,100 bottles reflects transparency with its 5–6-year aging and a carefully blended mash bill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley.

The flavor profile bursts with juicy, cherry-forward vibrancy on the nose, complemented by mocha, warm cinnamon-clove spice, and hints of caramel and toasted oak. The palate unfolds with decadent brown butter, toffee, and nutty peanut brittle sweetness, accented by spicy clove and vanilla depth, while the long, warming finish delivers lingering toasted walnut, molasses, and cocoa. This bold, expressive bourbon from Wheel Horse, is a must-try for anyone, offering premium quality and approachability in every sip. Enjoyable neat or in a cocktail. At $40, I’m stocking up on this one!

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