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.
Community Reviews
Daniel Oyama
Decent but needs water
7/10
Straight out of the bottle the alcohol dominates a bit too much for my taste. Once you tame it with water though, there's a lovely bourbon underneath — cornbread, vanilla, a touch of dried apricot. The finish is medium with a pleasant spicy kick. It's good, just not sure it justifies the price tag over some easier-drinking options.
19 February 2026
Mia Sundberg
Decent but needs water
7/10
Straight out of the bottle the alcohol dominates a bit too much for my taste. Once you tame it with water though, there's a lovely bourbon underneath — cornbread, vanilla, a touch of dried apricot. The finish is medium with a pleasant spicy kick. It's good, just not sure it justifies the price tag over some easier-drinking options.
19 February 2026
Herbert Muller
Decent but needs water
7/10
Straight out of the bottle the alcohol dominates a bit too much for my taste. Once you tame it with water though, there's a lovely bourbon underneath — cornbread, vanilla, a touch of dried apricot. The finish is medium with a pleasant spicy kick. It's good, just not sure it justifies the price tag over some easier-drinking options.
19 February 2026
Tariq Hassan
This one punches hard
9/10
At nearly 60% ABV this is not messing around. Big caramel and oak on the nose, then a wave of brown sugar and baking spice that just keeps going. I add a few drops of water and it opens up beautifully with vanilla and dried cherry. One of the better barrel proof bourbons I've had this year.
3 January 2026
Jorge Castillo
This one punches hard
9/10
At nearly 60% ABV this is not messing around. Big caramel and oak on the nose, then a wave of brown sugar and baking spice that just keeps going. I add a few drops of water and it opens up beautifully with vanilla and dried cherry. One of the better barrel proof bourbons I've had this year.
3 January 2026
Dmitri Volkov
This one punches hard
9/10
At nearly 60% ABV this is not messing around. Big caramel and oak on the nose, then a wave of brown sugar and baking spice that just keeps going. I add a few drops of water and it opens up beautifully with vanilla and dried cherry. One of the better barrel proof bourbons I've had this year.
3 January 2026
Ingrid Holm
Solid barrel proof sipper
8/10
Poured this neat and got hit with rich toffee, charred oak, and a hint of leather. The heat is there at 59.9% but it's not unpleasant — warms the chest in a good way. Finish lingers with cinnamon and dark fruit. Does what a barrel proof bourbon should do.
25 December 2025
Astrid Nilsen
Solid barrel proof sipper
8/10
Poured this neat and got hit with rich toffee, charred oak, and a hint of leather. The heat is there at 59.9% but it's not unpleasant — warms the chest in a good way. Finish lingers with cinnamon and dark fruit. Does what a barrel proof bourbon should do.
25 December 2025
Nia Okafor
Solid barrel proof sipper
8/10
Poured this neat and got hit with rich toffee, charred oak, and a hint of leather. The heat is there at 59.9% but it's not unpleasant — warms the chest in a good way. Finish lingers with cinnamon and dark fruit. Does what a barrel proof bourbon should do.
25 December 2025
Derek Chang
Sharing this one with mates
8/10
Brought this to a tasting night with four friends and it was the favourite of the evening. Everyone picked up something different — I got maple syrup and toasted coconut, my mate swore he tasted cherry cola. At 59.9% it sparked some great conversation about how much water to add. Bottle didn't last long, which says it all really.
21 November 2025
Freya Lindqvist
Sharing this one with mates
8/10
Brought this to a tasting night with four friends and it was the favourite of the evening. Everyone picked up something different — I got maple syrup and toasted coconut, my mate swore he tasted cherry cola. At 59.9% it sparked some great conversation about how much water to add. Bottle didn't last long, which says it all really.
21 November 2025
Tomas Rivera
Sharing this one with mates
8/10
Brought this to a tasting night with four friends and it was the favourite of the evening. Everyone picked up something different — I got maple syrup and toasted coconut, my mate swore he tasted cherry cola. At 59.9% it sparked some great conversation about how much water to add. Bottle didn't last long, which says it all really.
21 November 2025
Omar Diallo
Perfect cold weather pour
8/10
Been working through this bottle over the last few weeks and it's a cracker on a cold night. The nose is all dark honey, roasted pecans, and a bit of pipe tobacco. At barrel proof the flavours are concentrated and intense without being harsh. I drink it neat in a Glencairn and just let it breathe for ten minutes.
21 November 2025
Rafael Santos
Perfect cold weather pour
8/10
Been working through this bottle over the last few weeks and it's a cracker on a cold night. The nose is all dark honey, roasted pecans, and a bit of pipe tobacco. At barrel proof the flavours are concentrated and intense without being harsh. I drink it neat in a Glencairn and just let it breathe for ten minutes.
20 November 2025
Isla McCallister
Perfect cold weather pour
8/10
Been working through this bottle over the last few weeks and it's a cracker on a cold night. The nose is all dark honey, roasted pecans, and a bit of pipe tobacco. At barrel proof the flavours are concentrated and intense without being harsh. I drink it neat in a Glencairn and just let it breathe for ten minutes.
20 November 2025
Alex Ramos
Good but pricey for what it is
7/10
Look, it's a nice bourbon. Lots of corn sweetness, some pepper, toasted nuts on the finish. But at a hundred quid I'm comparing it to stuff like Rare Breed and ECBP, and I'm not sure it stands out enough. With water it smooths out into a pleasant vanilla-forward dram. I'd buy it once but probably not twice.
30 October 2025
Marianne Blom
Good but pricey for what it is
7/10
Look, it's a nice bourbon. Lots of corn sweetness, some pepper, toasted nuts on the finish. But at a hundred quid I'm comparing it to stuff like Rare Breed and ECBP, and I'm not sure it stands out enough. With water it smooths out into a pleasant vanilla-forward dram. I'd buy it once but probably not twice.
30 October 2025
Connor McBride
Good but pricey for what it is
7/10
Look, it's a nice bourbon. Lots of corn sweetness, some pepper, toasted nuts on the finish. But at a hundred quid I'm comparing it to stuff like Rare Breed and ECBP, and I'm not sure it stands out enough. With water it smooths out into a pleasant vanilla-forward dram. I'd buy it once but probably not twice.
30 October 2025
Petra Novak
Barrel proof done right
9/10
I'm a sucker for cask strength bourbons and this delivers. Thick and chewy with burnt caramel, dark chocolate, and black pepper up front. The oak influence is pronounced but balanced — you can tell there's some age on this even without a statement. Added a single ice cube and got waves of butterscotch. Really impressed.
27 October 2025
Sophie Brennan
Barrel proof done right
9/10
I'm a sucker for cask strength bourbons and this delivers. Thick and chewy with burnt caramel, dark chocolate, and black pepper up front. The oak influence is pronounced but balanced — you can tell there's some age on this even without a statement. Added a single ice cube and got waves of butterscotch. Really impressed.
27 October 2025
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