Watershed Distillery x OHLQ Single Barrel Bourbon Release

learn more about the three Exclusive single barrels bourbons carefully selected by the OHLQ and Watershed Distillery teams

A partnership over a year in the making is finally coming to fruition: the week of March 22, three single barrel bourbons selected by the Watershed and OHLQ teams will be released to the public. Quantities are extremely limited.

Each is bottled at barrel strength, marking the first time Watershed Distillery private barrel bourbon has ever been released to the public in this format.

Even more exciting? These are the first ever OHLQ private barrel selections from Ohio! We are proud of the partnership and can’t wait to share these special Watershed Bourbon selections with you. Now, come along and nerd out with us a little bit, as we explore each of the barrels and what makes them so unique.

As part of the single barrel selection process, we narrowed down some of our very favorite barrels for the OHLQ team to try — we knew they had exceptional taste and experience in this realm. What started as one barrel grew to three as soon as we tasted through the final grouping. Each was more unique and complex than the next, something that played into the ultimate naming strategy. All of the bourbon selected was aged a minimum of four years in char five barrels created for us by Speyside Cooperage in Jackson, Ohio.

So how did the names come to be? Collaboration and ample sampling helped.

Nicki, our Director of Sales, fell in love with Barrel #860, which we ended up naming “Ohio Honeycomb.” She wasn’t the only one to pick up notes reminiscent of Honey Nut Cheerios — soft honey notes backed by toasted wheat with subtle sweetness.

Greg, our founder and CEO pictured here in one of the rounds of tasting and comparison, ended up scaling to the highest heights of our barrel aging warehouse to pull a sample of the barrel we now aptly call, “Pilfer’s Pick.” It was a barrel that wasn’t even supposed to be in consideration, but that was too good to resist once we cracked it open.

Ambry Spice was a crowd pleaser from the get-go. Prominent notes of baking spices and lingering dark fruit stood out, and ushered in a velvety richness on the finish. “Ambry” is an old English term for buttery or umami, a descriptor we thought aligned perfectly with this selection.

The OHLQ single barrel picks are slated to arrive at selected liquor agencies in Ohio the week of March 22. You can check OHLQ.com or search for a store near you through this link. Not all stores will receive their shipments right away, so be patient and keep checking back!

Even we don’t know which barrels are landing in specific stores, so it’s a true treasure hunt to find the one(s) you’re most interested in.

If you do snag a bottle, be sure to post and tag us! We’d love to see what you chose and what you think once you get a chance to crack it open and enjoy a pour.

If you want to take the experience to another level, sign up to join Greg Lehman and special guest Anne Dimmick for a live virtual tasting through all the barrel selections on Wednesday, March 31 at 6:30pm. Reservations are free but spaces are limited, so lock in your spot today. Click here to learn more and reserve.

The Bottles

Barrel #870 - Ambry Spice

This spirit represents a shining example of our high rye, three-grain mash bill. The nose is understated with subtle spicy and floral notes. It presents with a full bodied, buttery mouthfeel, bursting with warm cinnamon and dark cherry fruit. Develops into a long warm finish.

Tasting Notes:

Understated nose with subtle spicy and floral notes
Full bodied, buttery mouthfeel
Flavors of warm cinnamon and dark cherry fruit
Long, warm finish

Mash Bill: Three Grain, High Rye

Filled: 2/22/17

Barrel: Vertical, Speyside Cooperage

Proof: 116.2

Char Level #5

Barrel Sample #860 - Ohio Honeycomb

This bourbon is a favorite among the Watershed team. It opens with notes of warm sherry, port, cedar, and raisin undertones. The flavor profile is rich with toasted oat, cedar and honeysuckle, opening to a deep caramel. Medium-long finish. Ample tannins combine to create a truly enjoyable and special bourbon.

Tasting Notes:

Aromas of warm sherry, port, cedar, and raisin undertones
Flavors rich with toasted oat, honeysuckle, opening to deep caramel
Medium-long finish with ample tannins

Mash Bill: Three Grain, High Rye

Filled 12/12/16

Barrel: Vertical, Speyside Cooperage

Proof: 134.1

Char #4

Barrel Sample #869 - Pilfer’s Pick

By far the most immediately approachable of all barrels selected, this bourbon opens with a pleasant aroma of vanilla bean and brown sugar. Subtle and balanced flavors of sugared oats and a faint hint of nutmeg, cinnamon spice, and orange blossom round out the palate. A bourbon that is sure to be enjoyed and appreciated by both those newer to bourbon and the experienced connoisseur. This is a “sister” barrel to #870 and is a perfect example how of the magic and mystery of the barrel aging process can create so many unique expressions.

Tasting Notes:

Aromas of vanilla bean and brown sugar
Subtle and balanced flavors of oats, nutmeg, cinnamon, and orange blossom
Rounded, even finish

Mash Bill: Three Grain, High Rye

Filled: 2/22/17

Barrel: Vertical – Speyside Cooperage

Proof: 118.2

Char #5