| Category | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
|---|---|
| Country | Region | USA | Kentucky |
| Distillery | Non-disclosed (sourced — likely Green River Distilling Co., Owensboro, KY) |
| Age statement | 8 years |
| Alcohol % | Proof | 68.75% | 137.5 pf |
| Release | Single barrel store pick — Barrel A6002 |
| Mash bill | Non-disclosed (if Green River: ~70% corn / 21% rye / 9% malted barley) |
| Cask type | New charred American oak (likely Char #4) |
| Price point | 90 |
| Bottle status | Active |
Short Barrel 8-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Appearance / Color
Deep amber to burnished copper. Legs are slow and viscous at this proof, signaling concentration and age.
Nose / Aroma / Smell
Intense cinnamon bark and baking spice hit first. Layers of toasted oak, caramel, vanilla bean, and dark toffee underneath. Some barrels show cracked black pepper and a touch of leather. A few drops of water may reveal brown sugar and toasted coconut.
Flavor / Taste / Palate
Bold cinnamon and red-hot spice dominate — this is where the “Cinnamon Monster” earns its name. Rich caramel, robust oak, and concentrated sweetness follow. Hefty mouthfeel at 137.5 proof. Secondary notes of vanilla custard, toasted marshmallow, and peppery rye spice. Dense and chewy.
Finish
Long and warming. Cinnamon spice lingers with seasoned oak and leather. Builds in heat rather than fading. Oak tannins and a dry spice tail.
About Shortbarrel: Founded in 2020 by Adam Dorfman, Clinton Dugan, and Patrick Lemmond — three Atlanta-based bourbon enthusiasts who had been picking barrels together since 2015. The brand name refers to a “shortbarrel,” a barrel that has lost over 50% of its contents to the angel’s share, producing intensely concentrated whiskey from extended wood contact. NDP with strong barrel selection: Shortbarrel is a non-distiller producer that sources barrels from multiple Kentucky distilleries — primarily Green River Distilling Co. (formerly O.Z. Tyler) in Owensboro, KY, along with Barton 1792, Beam, and others. Their 8-year barrel-proof single barrel picks are the standout of their lineup, consistently earning praise from reviewers for rich, oak-forward profiles. They acquired Old Fourth Distillery in Atlanta in 2023 for in-house production, but their Kentucky bourbon remains sourced. Store pick context: Barrel A6002 was hand-selected by Sippin’ Style Liquor. Every single barrel varies — the “Cinnamon Monster” descriptor from the selector suggests this barrel leans heavily into baking spice and cinnamon, which is consistent with the spice-forward character seen across other Shortbarrel barrel-proof picks in the 135–138 proof range. At 137.5 proof, this is a barrel-strength pour that will benefit from a few drops of water to open up sweetness behind the spice.
Short Barrel 8-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Category
- Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Distillery
- Non-disclosed (sourced — likely Green River Distilling Co., Owensboro, KY)
- Country | Region
- USA | Kentucky
- Age Statement
- 8 years
- Alcohol / Proof
- 68.75% / 137.5 pf
- Price Point
- 90
- Mash Bill
- Non-disclosed (if Green River: ~70% corn / 21% rye / 9% malted barley)
- Cask Type
- New charred American oak (likely Char #4)
- Release
- Single barrel store pick — Barrel A6002
Appearance
Deep amber to burnished copper. Legs are slow and viscous at this proof, signaling concentration and age.
Nose
Intense cinnamon bark and baking spice hit first. Layers of toasted oak, caramel, vanilla bean, and dark toffee underneath. Some barrels show cracked black pepper and a touch of leather. A few drops of water may reveal brown sugar and toasted coconut.
Palate
Bold cinnamon and red-hot spice dominate — this is where the “Cinnamon Monster” earns its name. Rich caramel, robust oak, and concentrated sweetness follow. Hefty mouthfeel at 137.5 proof. Secondary notes of vanilla custard, toasted marshmallow, and peppery rye spice. Dense and chewy.
Finish
Long and warming. Cinnamon spice lingers with seasoned oak and leather. Builds in heat rather than fading. Oak tannins and a dry spice tail.
About Shortbarrel: Founded in 2020 by Adam Dorfman, Clinton Dugan, and Patrick Lemmond — three Atlanta-based bourbon enthusiasts who had been picking barrels together since 2015. The brand name refers to a “shortbarrel,” a barrel that has lost over 50% of its contents to the angel’s share, producing intensely concentrated whiskey from extended wood contact. NDP with strong barrel selection: Shortbarrel is a non-distiller producer that sources barrels from multiple Kentucky distilleries — primarily Green River Distilling Co. (formerly O.Z. Tyler) in Owensboro, KY, along with Barton 1792, Beam, and others. Their 8-year barrel-proof single barrel picks are the standout of their lineup, consistently earning praise from reviewers for rich, oak-forward profiles. They acquired Old Fourth Distillery in Atlanta in 2023 for in-house production, but their Kentucky bourbon remains sourced. Store pick context: Barrel A6002 was hand-selected by Sippin’ Style Liquor. Every single barrel varies — the “Cinnamon Monster” descriptor from the selector suggests this barrel leans heavily into baking spice and cinnamon, which is consistent with the spice-forward character seen across other Shortbarrel barrel-proof picks in the 135–138 proof range. At 137.5 proof, this is a barrel-strength pour that will benefit from a few drops of water to open up sweetness behind the spice.