Frank August Single Barrel Bourbon 121.8 Proof

Frank August Single Barrel Bourbon 121.8 Proof. Frank August, Lexington, Kentucky — a specific proof expression from Frank August's first-ever single barrel release program, hand-selected by a panel representing a combined 116 years of master distilling and master blending experience, bottled at cask strength at 121.8 proof from a 6.1-year-old barrel — one year older than the 5.1-year single barrel expressions and showing the additional development that the extra year of Kentucky aging produces.

The 121.8 Proof Single Barrel documents a 6.1-year-old barrel from Frank August's program — the same expert selection process, the same 116-year combined panel experience, and the same Frank August philosophy of open, honest bourbon that makes no apologies for proof or age. The specific proof of 121.8 reflects the evaporative concentration of this individual barrel over 6.1 years: slightly lower ABV than the 5.1-year 123 Proof expression, which speaks to the specific conditions under which this barrel aged rather than indicating less intensity — the additional year of maturation compensates with deeper wood integration and more developed oak character.

At 6.1 years, this barrel sits at the threshold where Kentucky straight bourbon begins to develop the secondary flavor complexity — dried fruit, leather, and deeper caramel — that shorter-aged expressions hint at but cannot fully deliver. The combination of that maturation depth with cask strength delivery and Frank August's rigorous barrel selection makes the 121.8 Proof one of the more complete expressions in the single barrel program.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Baking spices and mild oak with sweet vanilla and caramel aromatics. The 6.1 years of aging shows in a more integrated, less sharp aromatic profile than younger single barrel expressions. Deep mahogany color.
• Palate: Cinnamon and rye spice lead before the deeper oak character of the extra year makes itself known. Vanilla and caramel balance the cask strength intensity. More developed and rounded than the 5.1-year expressions.
• Finish: Long and evolving with baking spice, black cherry, oak, and vanilla developing between sips. The additional year of aging extends and deepens the finish character.

Specs

• Producer: Frank August, Lexington, Kentucky
• Age: 6.1 years
• Barrel Selection: Hand-selected; 116 years combined expertise
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Single Barrel, Cask Strength
• ABV: 60.9% (121.8 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Frank August Single Barrel 121.8 Proof taste like? Baking spice and mild oak integrating with vanilla and caramel on the nose. Cinnamon and rye spice with deeper oak character on the palate. Long evolving finish with black cherry, oak, and vanilla deepened by the extra year of aging.
• How does 121.8 Proof differ from the 123 Proof expression? The 123 Proof comes from a 5.1-year barrel; the 121.8 Proof comes from a 6.1-year barrel. The extra year of aging produces more developed oak integration and a more rounded profile. The slightly lower proof reflects the different evaporative conditions of that specific barrel — not less intensity, just a different aging trajectory.
• Why is each single barrel a different proof? Proof varies because every barrel ages differently. Evaporative loss (angel's share) depends on the barrel's position in the warehouse, the specific wood, and the specific years of temperature cycling it experienced. Each barrel arrives at bottling at its own natural concentration — that unique proof is part of what makes single barrel bourbon genuinely different from blended expressions.