Released in 2025 as part of Rising Tide Spirits’ first Single Barrel series, this whiskey represents one of twelve barrels selected to showcase the individual components that made up Old Stubborn’s previous blended releases. Each barrel of pot stilled in the series was chosen for its own distinct character, with proofs varying widely and ages ranging from 11 to 14 years but not explicitly stated to avoid people only chasing an age statement instead of appreciating the whiskey for its face-value qualities. The idea was to present these barrels exactly as they are so that enthusiasts could taste the individual building blocks that form the wildly popular earlier Old Stubborn marriages.
This move aligned neatly with Rising Tide’s philosophy of patience, tradition, and a refusal to rush whiskey simply to put something on shelves. The brand openly values doing things the right way rather than the fast way, and this Single Barrel project reflects that commitment.
This release also arrived in Rising Tide’s new handmade bottle. After a year spent designing and sourcing, the resulting bottle was hand-blown with a suspended glass cardinal enclosed inside. With no two bottles being the same, it brought a level of elegance that immediately brings to mind other premium presentations, such as the ornate Double Eagle very Rare, and feels like a showpiece bottle, even after the whiskey is gone.
My bottle comes from Barrel SB02W, bottle at 131.28 proof (65.64% ABV), and drawn from a notably short cask that yielded only 29 bottles.
Let’s taste!
Vital Stats:
Name: Old Stubborn Batch 3
Age: Between 11 and 14 years old
Proof: 131.28 proof (65.64% ABV)
Type: Wheated Pot Stilled Straight Bourbon
Mashbill: Not disclosed (minimum 51% corn and containing wheat/rye, depending on the bottle)
Producer: Rising Tide Spirits
Website: https://www.risingtidespirits.com/
Glassware: Glencairn
Review
Nose: Rich and complex from the start. Sweet red and black stone fruits that smell like they have been stewed in dark brown sugar form the core. Peppery clove and cinnamon add warmth. A deeper nosing brings out earthier spice, more clove, near burnt caramel, and dark chocolate oak. A deep herbaceous note runs underneath it all and prevents the sweetness from becoming heavy.
Palate: The whiskey opens thick and viscous. Dark caramel appears first, edged with chocolate and a peppery tannic spice. Layers of baking spice follow. Mid palate, there is a herbal lift with a faint salinity. As the initial pepper softens, sweet and slightly tart red fruits emerge along with mint-forward herbal notes and dark chocolate charred oak. Chewing brings back a gentle sweet pepperiness that lingers.
Finish: Long and layered. Warmth carries tart red fruits, drying tannins, cinnamon, and chocolate charred oak into a lingering aftertaste. The flavours continue to evolve as the finish stretches out.
Overall
I love everything about this whiskey: the bottle, the colour, the flavour, and the unique experience of tasting a single-barrel wheated bourbon in its raw, unfiltered form. This whiskey is an absolute powerhouse of flavour. From the first sip to the last, it delivers wave after wave of concentrated dark fruits, layered baking spices, chocolate‑forward tannins, and deep herbal notes, creating a luxurious yet striking sipping experience as your palate works to keep up with the evolving flavours. This intensity on the palate is also mirrored in the deep colour of the whiskey itself, and foreshadows just how much character the barrel has managed to draw out and concentrate over its long maturation.
What stands out most is just how many impressive elements come together at once: the dark brooding colour, the tightly concentrated flavour profile, the unexpected balance despite the sheer intensity, and how the whiskey coats the palate in ever‑shifting layers of flavour that continue to unfold well after the finish. For a single barrel carrying this much power, it shows remarkable elegance with no gaps or weak spots in the profile and instead drinks with a natural harmony you would normally expect from a carefully composed small batch offering.
This level of balance and concentration speaks volumes about Ed Bley’s selection instincts and reminds us of the man we’re dealing with. Tasting this whiskey as a standalone component, not only highlights the strength of the barrels he has chosen but also explains why everything he touches is so consistently well‑received regardless of the brand or blend.
The incredibly low yield of just 29 bottles appears to have further focused the whiskey, and after a double pour, the palate is fully coated in red fruits, cinnamon, and chocolate‑edged tannins that slowly unravel to reveal deeper, oak‑driven nuances beneath.
The handmade bottle, complete with its suspended glass cardinal, adds a sense of craftsmanship and charm that suits the whiskey’s personality. It feels genuinely premium and stands out immediately on my shelf without relying on superficial gimmicks.
Altogether, this is a concentrated, and deeply characterful example of what Rising Tide aims to show us through the Old Stubborn label. It reinforces the value of patience, selecting with intent, and a the value of a blender who knows exactly what he is looking for, once again proving that in the right hands, a single barrel can be every bit as formidable as a final blend.
Try or Buy?
Unfortunately, this SB02W single barrel of Old Stubborn Batch 3, is long gone from retail shelves and sold out quickly when they were first released, thanks to Ed’s reputation and small yields.
The good news, however, is that Old Stubborn Batch 4 has just landed, bringing with it a new set of pot‑still single barrels aged 11 to 14 years and bottled at full proof! Batch 4 I’m told includes eight hand‑chosen wheated bourbon barrels released with the same “barely changed from barrel to bottle” philosophy, with just under 650 bottles produced in total.
If your budget allows, I highly recommend trying to track down a bottle of Batch 4 while they are still circulating. These single barrels continue to showcase the best of what Ed Bley is sourcing and selecting, and if Batch 3 is anything to go by, the latest release is unlikely to stick around.
My advice is simple: if you see Batch 4 at or near its MSRP, buy it. And if you are unsure which retailer will get stock, keep an eye on Rising Tide’s social channels and email list, because these drops move fast.
About Rising Tide Spirits
The brainchild of renowned bourbon barrel picker, blender, and whiskey personality Ed Bley, Rising Tide Spirits is the manifestation of his pursuit to become a world‑class non‑distilling producer. Established in 2018, the name “Rising Tide” comes from the adage that a rising tide lifts all boats, reflecting both Ed’s personal philosophy and his appreciation for the bourbon industry’s traditions of inclusivity, community, and collaboration.
Long before launching his own NDP, Ed developed a devoted following for his uncanny palate, blending talent, and ability to identify world‑class single barrels. His private selections became so sought‑after that his former retailer, Cork N’ Bottle, grew into a national destination for whiskey enthusiasts, with lines forming from across the United States and overseas. His picks often outsold major limited releases, and the success of early collaborative releases (most famously Old Baldy) cemented his reputation as one of the most influential pickers of barrels in modern American whiskey.
Since the release of Old Stubborn Batch 2, Rising Tide has continued to expand its vision. Batch 3 marked a significant evolution for the brand, introducing a twelve‑barrel single‑barrel showcase of pot‑still bourbon from West Virginia, aged 11 to 14 years and bottled at full proof. This series highlighted the individual barrels that had previously formed the backbone of Old Stubborn blends, giving drinkers a rare behind‑the‑curtain look at the component parts of earlier releases.
Most recently, the brand launched Old Stubborn Batch 4, featuring eight hand‑selected pot‑still wheated single barrels aged between 11 and 14 years, all bottled at barrel proof and non‑chill filtered. This release also debuted Old Stubborn Pot Still Rye for the first time, expanding the Old Stubborn family into new territory.
Alongside Old Stubborn, Rising Tide has also developed the Old Swagger line, which now includes a 13‑year Bottled‑in‑Bond bourbon as well as a cask‑strength Old Swagger Rye. These releases continue to sell out rapidly, reinforcing the brand’s growing momentum and the strong loyalty of its fanbase.
Another major development for Rising Tide is its now‑signature hand‑blown bottle design. Each bottle includes a three‑dimensional Rising Tide emblem embedded in the base and requires significant time and craftsmanship to produce. Ed has described the packaging as an extension of the whiskey itself, believing the vessel should reflect the same care and intention as the liquid inside.
Today, Rising Tide releases multiple product lines each year, sources barrels years in advance, and remains committed to releasing whiskey only when Ed believes it has reached the level of character and quality he demands. His focus on mouthfeel, viscosity, patient maturation, and memorable flavour continues to define the brand’s identity and set it apart within the landscape of American NDPs.
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