Wilderness Trail Distillery announced the launch of 6-Year-Old Private Barrel offerings in its single barrel lineup. This marks a notable milestone for the young craft distillery, which was founded only 13 years ago. 

The collection features three distinct 6-year-old, single-barrel, cask-strength, non-chill filtered expressions including a Wheated Bourbon, a High-Rye Bourbon, and a Rye Whiskey. Each is crafted using Wilderness Trail’s Sweet Mash process, proprietary yeast strains, and a Level 4 Alligator Char barrel profile to deliver elevated flavor definition and barrel complexity. 

Hand-selected for its distinct character and complexity, each single barrel is a testament to the combination of employing modern fermentation science with traditional Kentucky maturation techniques. 

“At six years, our single barrels hit the sweet spot where our sweet mash fermentation and proprietary yeast strains deliver layered complexity without sacrificing balance,” Dr. Pat Heist, Co-Owner and Chief Scientific Officer of Wilderness Trail Distillery, said in a news release. “The Wheated, High-Rye bourbon, and Rye Whiskey selections let enthusiasts choose between softer high-wheat elegance and the vibrant spice and herbal nuance of rye, each barrel a distinct expression of science meeting tradition.”

What’s in the 6-Year-Old Private Barrel Offering

• Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon 6-Year-Old Private Barrel ($70): Bottled at cask strength and featuring a high-wheat mash bill for a uniquely soft and rich flavor, the Wheated Bourbon features a mash bill of 64% corn, 24% wheat, and 12% malted barley using proprietary yeast strains.  Aged in #4 char barrels and entered at 110 proof, this is one of Kentucky’s highest wheat ratios, resulting in a softer, more nuanced flavor profile. 
• Kentucky Straight High-Rye Bourbon 6-Year-Old Private Barrel ($70): Bold and complex, the High Rye Bourbon is crafted with a unique mash bill of 64% corn, 24% rye, and 12% malted barley using proprietary yeast strains. Aged in #4 char barrels and entered at 110 proof, this bourbon stands out for its distinctly spicier, herbal, and botanical flavor profile. 
• Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey 6-Year-Old Private Barrel ($80): Crafted with 56% rye, 33% corn, and 11% malted barley, and aged in #4 char barrels at 105 proof, this refined Wilderness Trail mash bill presents a well-balanced flavor profile, engineered to showcase broader complexity and balance than conventional high-rye recipes. 

All three product offerings will be permanently and widely available on shelves in the US beginning of January 2026. The Wheated Bourbon is available now for pre-order at the following link: https://www.reservebar.com/products/GROUPING-2550781. 

Read more: Wilderness Trail to Celebrate First Decade with 10-Year Release

ABOUT WILDERNESS TRAIL DISTILLERY

Wilderness Trail Distillery is a Kentucky Bourbon and Rye Whiskey producer located in Danville, Kentucky. Started in 2012 by industry experts Dr. Pat Heist and Shane Baker, Wilderness Trail Distillery is known for its modern approach to making whiskey, and is a proud member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and Heritage member of the Kentucky Distillers Association. For more information, visit https://www.wildernesstraildistillery.com/en-us/.