Kentucky Artisan Distillery (KAD) has unveiled a new single barrel program offering customized barrels in 15-gallon and 25-gallon sizes alongside the industry-standard 53-gallon format. The Crestwood, Kentucky-based distillery said the program, which launched on April 8, 2026, extends its existing Clubhouse Barrel Tasting Experience to allow consumers to select, proof, and personalize their own single barrel whiskey.
The program is designed to lower the barrier to entry for consumers who cannot afford a full-size barrel purchase.
"Single barrel programs are wildly popular, but interested consumers are often limited by the cost of purchasing a standard 53-gallon barrel," said KAD general manager Mark Emberson. "KAD was founded on the philosophy of ‘bottling your dreams.’ Very few whiskey fans can afford to purchase a standard barrel, and by offering access to smaller barrels, we’ve made a personalized single barrel purchase possible — at both a fraction of the cost and the time for bottles to be produced."
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READ THE STORYThe smaller barrels undergo a double-oaking process. Guests begin their selection by tasting five different mashbills guided by a KAD distiller, including a wheated bourbon, a four-grain bourbon, a high-rye bourbon, a rye whiskey, and a seasonal Distiller’s Choice blend selected by master distiller Jade Peterson.
"For more than a decade we’ve crafted some of the finest American whiskeys available and now are thrilled to be able to share our version of a single barrel experience with visitors," said Peterson. "Our grains are harvested from fields just a mile away and under the care of our team undergo the process of milling, mashing, distilling, aging and bottling right here on site."
After selecting a mashbill, guests choose from barrels offering different flavor profiles based on secondary barrel exposure time. They can then proof the whiskey to 80, 90, or 100 proof, or keep the original barrel strength. KAD prints a personalized message on each label, with bottles typically available for pick-up the following day.
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Pricing varies by mashbill. The 15-gallon barrels produce approximately 65 to 75 bottles and are priced at $3,785 to $5,678. The 25-gallon barrels yield 115 to 125 bottles at $5,299 to $7,949. Standard 53-gallon barrels produce 190 to 200 bottles at $7,065 to $10,598.
Emberson noted the smaller formats suit special occasions such as weddings and corporate gifting, as well as restaurants or bars testing a single barrel offering with less financial commitment.
"The entire process has been designed to allow for ultimate customization at lower required bottle quantities which is a huge step change for the industry," he added. "What better way to chronicle your visit to the Kentucky Derby or The Bourbon Trail than with a delicious souvenir and a custom taste of Kentucky."
Two KAD Single Barrel Experiences are offered daily, Wednesday through Sunday, with one session on Sundays. Tickets are priced at $50 per person, which is applied toward the barrel purchase.
