Rare Character K45 Single Barrel - REVIEW
Rare Character
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Single Barrel
Selected by The Whiskey U.N. for Dusty Barrel Spirits & Wine
Barrel K45-202 | Bottled 10-2025
Aged 7 Years, 7 Months | 117.14 Proof
Mash Bill: 51% Corn • 45% Rye • 4% Malted Barley
Distilled in Kentucky
This Rare Character single-barrel selection is a shining example of how expressive Kentucky bourbon can become when built on a high-rye backbone. At 117.14 proof and nearly 8 years of age, it strikes an impressive balance between vibrancy, grain-driven spice, and a surprising amount of creamy sweetness.
Nose
The nose opens with an almost nostalgic breakfast sweetness—Frosted Flakes dusted with grain-forward sweetness and sweet cream. As it evolves, a delicate grainy white pepper spice emerges, giving the aroma lift and texture. A subtle hint of vanilla bean ties everything together, keeping the nose bright but comforting. It’s an inviting aroma that perfectly reflects the unusually high rye content.
Palate
The palate moves through a captivating sweet-to-savory progression. It first delivers a swirl of creamy vanilla soft serve, rich yet airy, before transitioning into a more fruit-driven core of stewed green apple—warm, mildly tart, and cooked down to a soft, flavorful depth.
As the sip opens up, the profile pivots toward the darker and earthier side with notes of smoked pecan wood, bringing a toasted, nutty, almost autumnal character. The high rye mash bill continues to show itself through subtle flashes of herbal spice beneath the sweetness.
Finish
The finish is rounded, warm, and lingering, with a distinct Kentucky “hug” that settles deeply and comfortably. As it fades, it introduces a savory, peppery complexity reminiscent of Montreal steak seasoning—an unexpected but delicious undertone that works beautifully against the bourbon’s earlier sweet and creamy elements.
With Water
A few drops of water unlock an entirely new dimension. The sweetness deepens and morphs into apple brandy, showcasing stewed fruit, oak sugars, and warm alcohol caramelization. Beneath that, a lush note of fig compote emerges—dark, jammy, and luxuriously textured. Proofed down, this barrel becomes richer and fruitier, offering a decadent counterpoint to the more savory finish at full strength.
Overall Impression
This Rare Character barrel demonstrates remarkable duality: bright cereal sweetness, creamy vanilla richness, stewed fruit depth, and a savory, spice-driven finish—all anchored by a bold high-rye mash bill. It’s a barrel that evolves sip after sip, and even more so with water, making it both a connoisseur’s pour and a rewarding slow sipper.
A standout pick by The Whiskey U.N. and Dusty Barrel Spirits & Wine, and a memorable example of how layered and expressive Kentucky high-rye bourbon can truly be.
