Old Carter Bourbon Whiskey #93 13 Year Single Barrel 121 Proof

Old Carter Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel #93 13 Year 121 Proof is a 2022-era release from Old Carter Whiskey Co. — the independent project of Mark and Sherri Carter, co-creators of Kentucky Owl. Single Barrel #93 is a 13-year Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at barrel strength 121 proof (60.5% ABV), non-chill filtered, with Sherri hand-labeling every bottle. Thirteen years in barrel puts this firmly in Old Carter's mature expression range — more oak and dried fruit depth than their 12-year batches, with the barrel strength keeping the full character completely intact.

Old Carter's 13-year single barrels occupy the sweet spot of their lineup: enough age to develop genuine complexity and deep oak integration, while still retaining the bourbon grain character that can fade in very long-aged expressions. At 121 proof, this is approachable for barrel-strength enthusiasts but benefits from 5 minutes of rest in the glass.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Dark caramel, toasted oak, vanilla, dried fruit, leather, warm baking spice
• Palate: Rich and layered — toffee, cinnamon, charred barrel, dark cherry, oily mouthfeel from extended aging
• Finish: Long and complex, oak spice fading to dark fruit and warming sweetness

Product Details

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Old Carter single barrels different from their batch releases?

Old Carter's batch releases blend multiple barrels chosen for a specific target flavor profile. Single barrels like #93 come entirely from one cask — nothing is blended or adjusted. The result is a completely unique expression that will never be exactly replicated. It's the reason collectors track individual barrel numbers across Old Carter's catalog.

How does the 13-year age affect the flavor versus Old Carter's 12-year batches?

The extra year in barrel increases oak integration, deepens tannin structure, and pushes the dried fruit and dark chocolate notes further forward. It's not a dramatic leap, but at barrel strength the additional time is clearly perceptible — Single Barrel #93 is noticeably more serious and wood-forward than the 12-year batch expressions.

Is Old Carter bourbon the same as Kentucky Owl?

Related but completely separate. Mark and Sherri Carter co-founded Kentucky Owl and sold that brand in 2017. Old Carter is their independent successor — smaller scale, more hands-on, with every label personally hand-written by Sherri. Different liquid, different identity, same philosophy.