Rare Character Liquor Barn Single Barrel KHR-073 10 Year Bourbon 750ML

Rare Character Liquor Barn Single Barrel KHR-073 10 Year Bourbon 750ML is a barrel-proof Kentucky straight bourbon aged 10 years, bottled at 57.51% ABV (115.02 proof) in a 750ml format. This single barrel expression uses a high-rye mashbill and arrives non-chill filtered, preserving every ounce of character the decade-long maturation developed.Quick Facts: ABV: 57.51% (115.02 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 10 Years  |  Bottler: Rare Character (Independent)Production & HeritageRare Character operates as an independent bottler, hand-selecting individual casks from established but undisclosed Kentucky distilleries and releasing them as single barrel expressions. Barrel KHR-073 carries the brand’s “Kentucky High Rye” designation, indicating a mashbill of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley — a grain bill that leans heavily into rye’s spice-forward personality. This specific cask spent a full ten years maturing in a new charred American oak barrel, enduring Kentucky’s dramatic seasonal temperature swings that drive whiskey deep into the wood and back. Rare Character bottles at barrel proof without chill filtration, meaning no water is added and no flavor-carrying oils or congeners are stripped out during processing.Tasting NotesAroma: Rich caramel and charred oak rise first, followed by waves of baking spice — cinnamon and clove most prominently. A deeper inhale draws out toasted vanilla and a subtle dried fruit sweetness lurking beneath the barrel char.Taste: The entry is bold and immediate at barrel proof, opening with dark cherry and roasted nut layered over a caramel backbone. The high rye mashbill asserts itself through the mid-palate with black pepper and baking spice, while the 10-year oak influence delivers tannic depth without turning bitter. A splash of water coaxes out additional chocolate and dried fruit notes that soften the experience considerably.Finish: Long and peppery, with charred oak and warming rye spice that lingers well after each sip. The vanilla returns on the tail end, fading gradually alongside a hint of dark cocoa.How to Drink KHR-073At 115.02 proof, this bourbon rewards patience — try it neat first to experience the full barrel-proof intensity, then add a few drops of water to unlock the secondary dried fruit and chocolate layers. It also stands up well over a single large ice cube as the slow dilution reveals new dimensions over time.
Old Fashioned: The high-rye spice and rich caramel cut through sweetener and bitters without losing definition.
Boulevardier: Dark cherry and oak tannins integrate naturally with sweet vermouth and Campari’s bitter edge.
Manhattan: The 10-year depth and peppery finish provide a commanding backbone that won’t get buried under vermouth.
Best For
Bourbon collectors seeking unrepeatable single barrel selections
Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values barrel-proof, non-chill-filtered releases
Side-by-side tastings comparing independent bottlings to distillery-labeled expressions
After-dinner sipping sessions where a bold, complex pour is the main event
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does KHR-073 taste like? This 10-year bourbon delivers rich caramel, dark cherry, and roasted nut up front, followed by assertive baking spice and black pepper from the high-rye mashbill. The barrel-proof strength amplifies every note, and water reveals additional dried fruit and chocolate underneath.How does KHR-073 compare to Knob Creek 10 Year Single Barrel? Both are 10-year Kentucky single barrel bourbons, but KHR-073 is bottled at 115.02 proof compared to Knob Creek’s 120 proof, and it uses a significantly higher rye percentage (36% vs. Knob Creek’s lower rye content). Knob Creek’s single barrel program is widely available and produced in-house by Beam Suntory, while KHR-073 is a one-time independent bottling from an undisclosed source that will not be replicated once sold out.Is KHR-073 good for sipping neat? Yes — its decade of aging and non-chill-filtered bottling produce a complex, full-textured pour that rewards slow, undiluted tasting. That said, a few drops of water can open up additional flavor layers for those who find 115 proof intense on its own.Where is KHR-073 made? KHR-073 was distilled at an undisclosed Kentucky distillery and selected, aged, and bottled by Rare Character, an independent bottler specializing in single barrel American whiskey. As is typical with independent bottlings, the exact source distillery is not publicly confirmed.What foods pair well with KHR-073? Smoked brisket or pulled pork — the charred oak and caramel mirror the smoky, caramelized bark. Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and dried fruit notes revealed at lower proof. Aged cheddar or Gruyère offers a savory counterpoint to the bourbon’s sweetness. Pecan pie reinforces the roasted nut and vanilla character. Charcuterie with spiced salami echoes the rye-driven pepper spice.What sizes does KHR-073 come in? This release is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.Is KHR-073 worth the price? KHR-073 positions as a premium single barrel release, priced above mass-market bourbons but in line with other independently bottled, barrel-proof, age-stated expressions. The combination of 10-year aging, barrel-proof bottling, no chill filtration, and single-barrel exclusivity places it in a value category that appeals to enthusiasts willing to pay for a one-of-a-kind cask selection.Why KHR-073?What separates this bourbon from the crowded 10-year shelf is its individuality — barrel KHR-073 is a single, unrepeatable cask that will never be produced again once it sells through. The 36% rye mashbill pushes it well beyond standard bourbon grain profiles, delivering a spice intensity that most 10-year bourbons simply cannot match. Bottled at barrel proof and without chill filtration, it arrives in the glass exactly as the barrel produced it, with nothing added and nothing removed. For drinkers who seek whiskey as a snapshot of a specific time, place, and cask rather than a blended house style, this is precisely the kind of release worth tracking down.