Traverse City Whiskey Co. Barrel Proof Bourbon
Traverse City Whiskey Co. Barrel Proof Bourbon is the uncut expression of the house bourbon — 750mL, bottled straight from the barrel at full strength, with brand-published proofs running 115 to 120 depending on the barrel, and nothing diluted back on the way to the bottle. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- Proof: Barrel proof — varies by barrel (brand range 115–120 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Format: Single-barrel style, uncut at barrel strength
- Aging: New American oak (a standard retail listing shows 4 years)
- Origin: Traverse City, Michigan (Traverse City Whiskey Co.)
The House Bourbon, Undiluted
Most bourbon is blended and proofed down to a house number. The Barrel Proof bottling does the opposite: the barrel is the recipe, and what the oak held is what reaches the glass — full-strength, corn-rich and barrel-led, with the exact proof shifting from barrel to barrel inside the brand's 115–120 range. It is the XXX's bigger sibling and the bottle Traverse City drinkers graduate to. Set it against the standard-proof XXX in our bourbon whiskey collection, or line up the whole house on the Traverse City Whiskey Co. vendor page.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Pecan pie, toasted coconut and tropical fruit (producer barrel notes). Palate: Raisins, cinnamon and a nutty richness at full strength. Finish: Spicy and medium-long.
How to Enjoy
Neat first, in small sips — then a teaspoon of water, which is where barrel-proof bourbon opens up: the coconut and dried fruit step forward as the heat steps back. A large cube over ten minutes tells the same story more slowly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the proof vary between bottles? Barrel proof means the whiskey is bottled uncut, so the proof is whatever the barrel held — the brand's published range is 115–120 proof, and your bottle's label carries its own figure.
How is Barrel Proof different from the XXX Bourbon? Same house, different treatment: the XXX is bottled at a consistent 86 proof; Barrel Proof skips the dilution entirely and pours at full barrel strength.
Should I add water to barrel proof bourbon? A few drops are traditional and genuinely change the glass — they release aromatics the alcohol otherwise holds closed. Start neat, then adjust.
Full strength, nothing held back — buy Traverse City Barrel Proof Bourbon online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.