Barrel Series #1 Has Arrived. And We Didn’t Hold Back

As we continue to grow, we find ourselves with more room to explore, to be curious, and to push beyond the expected. It’s in these creative moments that the journey becomes truly wild and rewarding with the commitment to create something worth slowing down for. This is one of those moments.

Welcome to the Crooked Water Barrel Series.

Not a line extension. Not a one-off experiment. This is a commitment to exploration, craftsmanship, and bold curiosity. Each barrel in this series is hand-selected, uniquely finished, and intentionally different. No shortcuts. No rushing. Just time, wood, and patience doing what they do best.

And we are starting exactly where we should.

The Details

Barrel #1, 234 bottles available

Available exclusively at South Lyndale Liquors on March 27, 2026 at 4 PM

When it is gone, it is gone.

Barrel #1: Bourbon Finished in Sherry and Port Casks

This is not a subtle introduction.

Distilled December 1, 2017, this bourbon began its journey with a classic mash bill of 74% corn, 21% rye, and 5% malted barley. After aging for nearly four years, it took a turn into something far more interesting.

First, it rested for 16 months in Spanish Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. Deep, rich, and unapologetically indulgent.

Then, it moved again. This time into Portuguese Port barrels, where it spent another 33 months developing layers, texture, and complexity that you simply cannot rush.

This is what happens when you let a bourbon evolve instead of forcing it to finish.

What to Expect in the Glass

The nose opens like dessert without apology. Fig, raisin, and plum lead the way, wrapped in honeyed sweetness from the PX cask. As it settles, toasted oak, brown sugar, and dark chocolate rise up, followed by subtle notes of candied orange and dried cherry.

The palate is where it fully shows off. Velvety, full-bodied, and layered with stewed fruits, date syrup, and red berries. The sherry influence brings molasses, toffee, and spice cake, while the extended port finish adds blackberry, cassis, and just a hint of espresso. Midway through, the bourbon reminds you who it is with vanilla, charred caramel, and warm cinnamon.

The finish lingers. Long, rich, and evolving with dark chocolate, wine-soaked oak, and soft tannins that balance the sweetness beautifully.

This is not a casual pour. This is a sit down, slow down, pay attention kind of whiskey.

Why This Matters

Anyone can finish a bourbon.

Very few are willing to take it this far.

Extended secondary and tertiary cask finishing is not just about flavor. It is about restraint. It is about letting the barrel do its work over time and trusting that complexity will come if you do not interfere too much.

Barrel #1 is a statement of what this series will be. Bold. Layered. A little unexpected.

And worth the wait.

Final Thought

This is not a standard finished bourbon. It is a study in extended maturation and cask influence, crafted for those who seek nuance, rarity, and a more contemplative pour. This is the kind of bottle you open with people who appreciate it. Or maybe not. Maybe this is the one you keep for yourself after a long day, when the house is quiet and the glass is finally yours.

Either way, this is just the beginning.

Thank you to all those who have supported us over the last 13 years, allowing us to get to this point.