Very Old Barton 100 Proof is one of those bourbons that serious whiskey drinkers pass around like a secret handshake. It sits on the bottom shelf at a price that makes you do a double-take, and it delivers flavour that punches well above its weight class. At 50% ABV, this is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon that doesn't apologise for what it is — a no-nonsense, full-proof pour built for people who actually like the taste of bourbon.
Let me be clear about what we're dealing with here. Very Old Barton carries no age statement, which in the current bourbon market usually means it's at least four years old to qualify as a Kentucky Straight Bourbon under federal regulations. That's not a knock — plenty of exceptional bourbon is made in that maturation window, especially when the proof is right. And 100 proof is absolutely right. Bottled-in-bond style strength without the bond designation, this sits at the sweet spot where you get full barrel character without the ethanol overwhelming your palate.
At £38.50, this bottle occupies fascinating territory. It's priced like an everyday sipper but built like something you'd reach for when you want substance. The 100 proof designation matters here — it means you're getting a more concentrated flavour experience than the standard 80 or 86 proof expressions that dominate this price bracket. More proof generally means more of the good stuff made it from the barrel to your glass.
Tasting Notes
I'll be upfront — I'm not going to fabricate a detailed nosing and tasting breakdown beyond what I can confirm. What I can tell you is that at 50% ABV, you should expect classic bourbon markers delivered with real conviction. The higher proof means those characteristic Kentucky Straight Bourbon qualities — think corn-forward sweetness, oak influence, and barrel spice — arrive with more intensity and a longer, warming finish than you'd get from a lower-proof bottling. A few drops of water open this up beautifully if the proof feels like a lot on the first sip.
The Verdict
Very Old Barton 100 Proof is the kind of bourbon that reminds you price and quality don't always correlate the way the marketing departments want you to believe. It's honest whiskey. There's no story about hand-selected barrels or small-batch mystique on the label — just bourbon, made properly, bottled at a proof that lets the liquid speak for itself. I'm giving this a 7.5 out of 10, and that score reflects genuine quality at a genuinely fair price. It loses half a point for the lack of transparency around its age and provenance, but it earns everything else through sheer drinkability. If you're building a home bar and need a bourbon that works neat, on the rocks, and in cocktails without making your wallet flinch, this is the one.
Best Served
This is a cocktail bourbon that also stands up neat — which is exactly the profile you want at this price. My recommendation? Make an Old Fashioned with it. The 100 proof means it won't get buried under your sugar and bitters the way lower-proof bourbons tend to. Two dashes of Angostura, a barspoon of demerara syrup, a big rock of ice, and an orange peel expressed over the top. The higher ABV carries through the dilution as the ice melts, so your drink stays balanced from first sip to last. It's also genuinely good neat with a single ice cube if you want something simpler — just give it a minute to open up before you start sipping.
