Pinhook Vertical Series 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey 'Crème Brulee'
Pinhook Vertical Series 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey 'Crème Brulee' is a single-barrel offshoot of Pinhook's 2025 Vertical Series bourbon program: one barrel — barrel #3580 — bottled on its own at 114 proof (57% ABV) after 10 years of aging. It comes through co-founder and master blender Sean Josephs' single barrel select program, and the barrel earned its 'Crème Brulee' nickname from its dessert-like flavor profile. The mash bill is the Vertical Series bourbon recipe: 75% corn, 20.5% rye and 4.5% malted barley. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 57% (114 proof)
- Age: 10 years
- Single barrel: barrel #3580, Sean Josephs single barrel select
- Mash bill: 75% corn, 20.5% rye, 4.5% malted barley
- Program: 2025 Vertical Series Bourbon (Bourbon War), 10 year
- Size: 750mL
One Barrel, Bottled on Its Own
The standard 2025 Vertical Series Bourbon is a blend of 75 barrels from the group Pinhook has followed since 2015 under the banner of the thoroughbred Bourbon War. A single barrel bottling goes the other direction: instead of the blend, one barrel is pulled and bottled by itself, so what is in the glass is that barrel's own take on ten years — unrepeatable once it is gone. Barrel #3580 was selected under Sean Josephs' single barrel program and nicknamed for the profile in the glass.
Tasting Notes
The retailer notes for this barrel read like a dessert menu: caramelized sugar and vanilla custard up front, butterscotch through the middle, and toasted oak with brown sugar on the finish — the 'Crème Brulee' name is earned, at full 114 proof.
How to Enjoy
Neat first — the custard and caramelized sugar show best undiluted — then a splash of water to stretch the finish. It is a natural after-dinner pour alongside anything caramel- or vanilla-based.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called 'Crème Brulee'?
Single barrels in Sean Josephs' select program are nicknamed for their flavor profile; this barrel's caramelized sugar, vanilla custard and butterscotch character suggested the dessert.
How strong is it?
114 proof (57% ABV) — a single barrel is bottled at that barrel's own strength.
How is this different from the regular Vertical Series 10 Year bourbon?
The standard release blends 75 barrels; this bottling is barrel #3580 alone, selected and bottled by itself.
What is the mash bill?
75% corn, 20.5% rye, 4.5% malted barley — the Vertical Series bourbon recipe.
Who selected the barrel?
Pinhook co-founder and master blender Sean Josephs, through his single barrel select program.
When barrel #3580 is gone, it is gone — order it at Del Mesa Liquor while it lasts.