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Stellum Bourbon vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Stellum Bourbon and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Stellum Bourbon | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +15 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$16 – $22 ~$31 less |
- Stellum Bourbon and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Stellum Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Stellum Bourbon Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/5 spice: Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Stellum Bourbon 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Stellum Bourbon 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Stellum Bourbon: Barrell's lower-priced, cask-strength line. It drinks gentler than its proof, with vanilla and caramel on top of cinnamon, clove and a long, spicy finish.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Stellum Bourbon if you want a cask-strength, multi-state blend that drinks easier than its proof with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Stellum Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).