Buffalo Trace to launch last Single Oak Project

Buffalo Trace will launch its sixteenth and final round of Single Oak Project Bourbon, marking the end of the distillery’s quest to find the world’s perfect Bourbon.

Buffalo Trace has launched the final instalment of from its Single Oak Project Bourbon

The project spanned four years and was part of a research project by Buffalo Trace to analyse the effect different wood grains, recipes, entry proofs, stave seasoning, char number, tree cuts and warehouses have on whiskey as it ages.

A total of 192 barrels were used throughout the initiative, with different editions released every three months in increases of 12 375ml bottles.

The sixteenth edition comprises a selection of the aforementioned variables and is made up of barrel numbers seven, 20, 39, 52, 71, 84, 103, 116, 135, 148, 168, 180.

“This last release has quite the variety of Bourbons,” said Kris Comstock, Bourbon marketing director. “The only consistencies in this release are the stave seasoning at six months and the number four char.

“The diversity provides a good starting point for those who aim to learn how these different nuances affect the taste, or for those current participants who want to taste test what they have learned so far.”

Throughout the project, consumers have been able to review Single Oak Bourbons they have tasted and so far more than 4,600 reviews have been shared on the Single Oak Project website, which currently lists barrel 82 as the overall favourite.

“There is a very thin margin between the top rated Bourbons so far, and it’s also possible that a Bourbon from this last batch could come in and upset all the rankings,” added Comstock. “We’re still far from determining a winner.”

The final release is available to purchase from late February and Buffalo Trace will announce the winning Bourbon this summer.