Barrell Craft Spirits (BCS) has released Barrell Bourbon Batch 038, a limited-edition blend of straight bourbon whiskeys bottled at cask strength and featuring a red, white, and blue label to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary. The Louisville, Kentucky-based independent blender announced the new expression on May 26, 2026, with bottles now available online and at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $84.99 per 750ml.
Batch 038 is a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys distilled across four states. The blend includes 12-year bourbon from Kentucky, 12 and 15-year bourbon from Tennessee, 9 and 10-year bourbon from Indiana, and 8-year bourbon from Maryland.
The expression was bottled in Kentucky at 116.96 proof (58.48% ABV). Its derived mash bill comprises 79% corn, 17% rye, and 4% malted barley.
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READ THE STORYAccording to the official tasting notes from the brand, Barrell Bourbon Batch 038 “showcases layers of mature bourbon which combine to create a deep, complex woodiness.” The palate is described as “dark, brooding, and earthy, with fine tannins that linger long into the finish, allowing the flavors to slowly unfold.”
The brand adds that “a splash of water reveals a sweeter side, lifting notes of confetti cake, lemon jelly, and mango.”
Barrell Bourbon batches are released annually and serve as the cornerstone of the company’s portfolio. Each batch is described by BCS as “a unique expression of the art of blending, designed to showcase a diverse range of ages and styles.”
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Founded in 2013, BCS has built its reputation as an independent blender that selects and blends stocks from different distillation methods, barrel types, and aging environments. The company says its “extensive stocks of high-quality casks” allow it to “craft extraordinary blends that maximize the nuances of each ingredient.”
The release continues a tradition of limited, cask-strength bourbon batches that have helped establish Barrell Craft Spirits as a leading independent blending house in the U.S. market.
