A familiar MGP backbone, pushed into more herbal, complex territory than most 10-year ryes dare.
About Blackout
Blackout is a rare intersection of two worlds that already share deep roots in Kentucky: thoroughbred racing and whiskey. What started as a racing venture has evolved into a full ecosystem, spanning a racing stable, a whiskey brand, and a growing community built around both.
At the center is Blackout Racing Stable, based at Churchill Downs, the historic home of the Kentucky Derby. The stable isn’t just a namesake. It’s foundational to the brand’s identity. That connection carries directly into Blackout Barrel Company, where the team bottles premium straight bourbon and rye whiskey with a focus on well-aged, cask strength selections. Their flagship releases feature Belle Tapisserie, a former racehorse, as a visual anchor on the label — a subtle but meaningful nod to their origin.
Blackout leans into heritage and craftsmanship without overcomplicating things. Barrels are carefully selected (typically 8+ years old, often older), bottled at cask strength, and presented with a level of intentionality that reflects both the racing and whiskey sides of the brand.
Beyond product, there’s a clear effort to build something more participatory. Founded in 2016, Blackout has grown into a membership-based community of over 350 enthusiasts who share a passion for bourbon and horse racing. Through their Patreon, members get early access to releases, behind-the-scenes stable updates, and invitations to events that blend both sides of the experience.
There’s also a philanthropic layer. Through Barrels for a Cause, their 501(c)(3) nonprofit, a portion of every bottle sold supports charitable initiatives aligned with their values, adding a tangible give-back component to each release.
The result is a brand that feels cohesive without being forced; rooted in Kentucky tradition, but expressed through a community-driven, dual-purpose identity that goes beyond just another sourced whiskey label.
Stats
- Age: 10 year
- Proof: 111.8 (55.9% ABV)
- Mashbill: 95% Rye │ 5% Malted Barley
- Origin: Ross & Squibb (MGP) — Lawrenceburg, Indiana
- Finish: Straight
- Barrel: 50
- Release: Single barrel, cask strength, limited release
- MSRP: $84.99 (Blackout) for current Barrel 51 release.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Rum raisin leads immediately, followed by raspberry jam and a light floral lift of rose petal. A touch of mint lingers underneath, adding freshness to an otherwise rich profile.
- Palate: Medium-bodied with a core of toffee sweetness, balanced by a noticeable herbal edge. There’s a slight bitterness through the mid-palate, alongside menthol and green herbal tones, giving it a brighter, more angular feel than typical MGP.
- Finish: Long and mouthwatering, driven by baking spice and juicy fruit gum. A gentle wave of anise, cardamom, and mint carries through the linger, alongside toffee and dark berry notes. The heat stays controlled. Present, but not overpowering.
This 10-year cask strength rye delivers exactly what you expect from well-aged MGP: rich sweetness, layered spice, and structure, but adds a twist. There’s a noticeable herbal complexity here that separates it from the pack, occasionally pushing into slightly bitter territory, but more often creating a deeper, more intriguing pour
Presentation
A clean, well-balanced label avoids unnecessary flash and lets the brand identity shine. Fitting for a group rooted in horse racing first. The bottle itself photographs exceptionally well.
The inclusion of a purple age-stamped bag is a small but impactful touch. It gives a subtle nod to premium presentation (think along the lines of more iconic luxury bourbon cues) while remaining cost-conscious. An easy upgrade that elevates shelf presence.
Distinctiveness
The defining trait here is contrast. Sweetness is expected in this style but structure isn’t always guaranteed. This barrel delivers both.
Where many toasted wheated bourbons lean soft or one-dimensional, this one maintains tension from start to finish. The sweetness draws you in, but the spice and oak keep it grounded. That balance is what ultimately separated it from the rest of the lineup.
“A portion of the proceeds from every bottle of Blackout whiskey goes toward supporting causes that align with our values, helping create lasting change in the communities we care about.“
— Blackout Group
Transparency
This is a 10-year MGP rye, presented as a single barrel at cask strength.
Clear age, clear sourcing, no confusion. Exactly what you want to see in this category.
Value
At $84.99, this lands comfortably below where many comparable 10-year MGP single barrels are still priced.
Even with softening barrel costs behind the scenes, market pricing hasn’t fully caught up, making this feel like a genuine value pocket. With an estimated market value closer to $100–$120, plus strong presentation, this edges into near “steal” territory.
Buy if:
- You enjoy older MGP rye with strong structure
- You’re looking for something more complex or off-profile
- Herbal notes like mint, cardamom, or anise appeal to you
- You want a high-value cask strength single barrel
Skip if:
- You dislike herbal bitterness in the mid-palate
- You prefer sweeter, more traditional MGP profiles
- You want something easygoing and crowd-pleasing (though you could argue the latter for sure)
Verdict
A highly enjoyable and distinctive take on aged MGP rye. The herbal edge won’t be for everyone, especially those sensitive to mid-palate bitterness, but it adds a layer of complexity that keeps things interesting from start to finish.
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 6 / 7
- Palate: 5.5 / 7
- Finish: 6.25 / 7
- Presentation: 6.25 / 7
- Distinctiveness: 5.75 / 7
- Transparency: 7 / 7
- Value: 6.13 / 7
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 6.13 / 7 – Holy Heaven
Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn.
| Score | Descriptor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | Hell No | Drain pour. Seriously undrinkable. |
| 1.1–2 | Purgatory | Bad, but could be worse. Only in extreme cases. |
| 2.1–3 | Only Earthly | Just okay. Best used as a mixer. |
| 3.1–4 | Bliss | Passable sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. High value for the price. |
| 5.1–6 | Divine | Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style. |
| 6.1–7 | Holy Heaven | Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn. |
Disclosure: This bottle was provided to me free of charge for review. All opinions are my own.
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