So as y'all well know i did a barrel pick with my buddies Jerm and Doug. on my other channel 3 guys 1 grain. I don't really know how it happened it just did. So i'm gonna give you the in's and out's of doing a barrel pick. So that if you get the chance to do one, you'll have some for knowledge. Hope you enjoy. And if you picked up one of the Bonvale Pick let me know what you think of them. Be Blessed

To do a whiskey barrel pick, you must partner with a licensed retailer, secure an allocation with a distillery, and sample a curated flight of single barrels to select your favorite profile. Because of the U.S. three-tier alcohol distribution system, individuals cannot buy a full barrel directly from a producer; the entire transaction and delivery must flow through a licensed liquor store, bar, or restaurant

1. Establish Your Buying Power

Before reaching out to a distillery, you need to ensure you can legally handle and afford the volume.

Partner with a retailer: Find a local independent liquor store owner willing to broker the deal. They will officially place the order, front the wholesale cost, and handle state tax compliance.
Form a tasting group: A standard whiskey barrel yields anywhere from 150 to 240 bottles depending on its age and "angel's share" evaporation. Form a bourbon club or group to guarantee all bottles will be purchased.
Budget realistically: Expect a full barrel pick to cost anywhere from $5,000 to over $15,000 depending on the brand and proof. You will pay on a per-bottle basis through your retail partner.
2. Secure a Distillery Allocation

Getting a spot in a single barrel program requires planning, as demand heavily outweighs supply.

Apply for programs: Major heritage brands like Buffalo Trace manage their selections through structured portals like the Sazerac Barrel Select Program, which uses lottery drawings.
Leverage store relationships: Established stores often have dedicated allocations through regional distributors. It is much easier to secure a pick by joining a retailer's existing trip rather than applying as an independent individual.
Look at craft distilleries: If heritage Kentucky brands have multi-year waitlists, look into regional craft distilleries. They often have highly flexible, interactive, and immediate barrel-picking opportunities.
3. Choose Your Sampling Method

Distilleries typically offer three distinct ways to execute the actual tasting:

Selection Method How It Works Best ForOn-Site Distillery Visit

You travel to the distillery to taste directly from 3 to 5 pulled barrels using a whiskey thief.The ultimate enthusiast experience.

Remote Sample Kit

The distillery ships 3 to 5 labeled 375ml or 100ml barrel samples straight to your retail partner or home.Groups wanting to save on travel costs.

Distiller's ChoiceYou give the master distiller your preferred flavor profile, and they select the best match on your behalf.Turnkey efficiency with zero logistics.