Barrel proof bourbon is where you find out what a distillery really thinks of its own juice. If you're bottling at cask strength, there's nowhere to hide — no water to smooth over rough edges, no dilution to mask an off note. Pursuit Spirits have put their name on a barrel proof expression at 59.9% ABV, and at just under a hundred quid, they're asking you to trust them. Having spent some time with this bottle, I think that trust is well placed.
Pursuit Spirits sit in that interesting space of American whiskey where the focus is on sourcing and blending rather than running their own stills. That's not a criticism — some of the best bourbons on the market come from producers who understand that great whiskey is as much about selection as it is about distillation. What matters is what ends up in the glass, and this is a proper bourbon: corn-forward mashbill, American oak, and enough proof to make your evening interesting.
At 59.9%, this is not a casual sipper for the uninitiated. This is big, full-bodied bourbon that rewards patience. The kind of whiskey where adding a few drops of water isn't just acceptable — it's part of the experience. Each drop opens things up differently, and you can spend a good half hour with a single pour just exploring how the spirit changes as it breathes and dilutes. That's genuinely good value for money when you think about it.
Tasting Notes
I'm not going to fabricate specific tasting notes here because I want to be honest with you — what I will say is that at this proof point, you should expect the hallmarks of a well-made barrel proof bourbon. We're talking rich, dense texture. The kind of weight on the palate that coats everything. The high ABV means flavours arrive with real intensity, and the NAS designation suggests Pursuit have prioritised flavour profile over age statement, blending barrels to hit a specific character rather than a number on the label. That's a philosophy I respect.
The Verdict
At £99.95, Pursuit Spirits Barrel Proof sits in competitive territory. You're up against some well-established names at that price point, and the lack of an age statement will put off the label-readers. But here's the thing — I'd rather drink a well-selected NAS bourbon at barrel proof than a mediocre age-stated bottle that's been watered down to 40%. This delivers on intensity, complexity, and sheer drinking pleasure. The 59.9% ABV means you're getting more actual whiskey per bottle, and the proof carries flavour in a way that standard strength simply cannot match. I'm giving this an 8 out of 10. It's a confident, well-executed barrel proof bourbon that does exactly what it promises, and does it well. If Pursuit Spirits keep selecting barrels at this standard, they'll build a serious reputation.
Best Served
Pour it neat first — always — and let it sit for five minutes. Then add water a few drops at a time until you find your sweet spot. Once you've explored it on its own terms, this makes an absolutely commanding Old Fashioned. The barrel proof means it stands up to the sugar and bitters without getting lost, and the high ABV carries through the dilution from the ice. Use a large rock, a sugar cube muddled with Angostura, and an orange peel expressed over the top. At this proof, you'll get an Old Fashioned that actually tastes like bourbon rather than sweetened water. That's what barrel proof cocktails are all about.
