Who Makes Rare Character Whiskey?
Rare Character Whiskey Company was founded by Pablo Moix and Peter Nevenglosky. Rather than operating as a traditional single-distillery whiskey brand, Rare Character sources whiskey from multiple American distilleries and builds its portfolio around distinctive barrels and blends.
The company is best known for its Single Barrel Series, alongside Brook Hill, RCLR and other limited releases. Because the Rare Character portfolio and barrel codes continue to evolve, this guide focuses on the company, sourcing model and major whiskey families. For a deeper look at Brook Hill, RCLR, wax colors and barrel codes, see our Rare Character barrel-code and Brook Hill guide.
Understanding Rare Character Barrel Codes
Rare Character continues to add and update barrel codes. The examples below reflect codes documented when this guide was assembled and should not be treated as a complete current directory. Rare Character maintains its current Barrel Breakdown on its official site.
Rare Character’s whiskeys feature distinct barrel codes that provide insights into their production. Here’s a breakdown of their bourbon and rye whiskey codes:
Bourbon Codes:
- K13: Kentucky bourbon, 78% corn / 13% rye / 9% experimental yeast
- K21: Kentucky bourbon, 70% corn / 21% rye / 9% same yeast as K13
- RIO: Indiana bourbon, 21% rye, Kelvin char 4, aged in Kentucky (MGP distillate, stored at Castle & Key)
- KEL: Indiana bourbon,75% corn / 21% rye / 4%, aged in Indiana
- HRY: Indiana rye, 60% corn / 36% rye / 4% aged in Indiana and Kentucky
- NIO: Indiana bourbon, 75% corn / 21% rye / 4% aged in Indiana and Kentucky
- KOA: Kentucky bourbon, 75% corn / 21% rye / 4% aged in Bardstown
- GLN: Kentucky bourbon, 75% corn / 21% rye / 4% aged in Owensboro
- VEN: Kentucky bourbon, 75% corn / 21% rye / 4% aged in Shelbyville
- WTN: Wheat Tennessee distilled and aged bourbon
- PSB: Pot distilled and aged Tennessee bourbon
Rye Whiskey Codes:
- TKO: Tennessee rye, aged in Kentucky, 70% rye / 25% corn / 5% malt, experimental
- KRY: Kentucky Rye, 95% rye / 5% Distilled and aged in Kentucky - Produced by a bourbon hall of fame distiller. Very different flavor profile than a typical 95/5 - lots of beautiful floral qualities
- SRY: Indiana rye, 51% rye / 45% corn / 4% malt, aged in Kentucky
- P90: Tennessee distilled and aged rye, 90% rye / 10% malt
- AMB: Amburana Finished Ryes.
The 2xx and 3xx codes indicate the production year, with the transition to the 3xx series occurring when the whiskey reaches 8 years of age.
Special Releases: Fortuna, Brook Hill, Exceptional Series, and Limited Release Batches
Rare Character offers several special releases that highlight their commitment to quality:
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Fortuna Bourbon: Managed by Andrew Shapira of Heaven Hill fame, this brand seeks to revive historical labels while maintaining a strong focus on quality. The Fortuna Barrel Proof is a notable release, blended by Chad Watson (@MyDailyBourbon) and features a minimum of 7-year-old Kentucky bourbons, bottled at cask strength. The goal is to use a minimum 8yr base product now that 8 summers is finally in the wild.
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Brook Hill: This collection showcases select barrels considered the best of the best. It includes various distilleries, ages, and proofs, representing Rare Character’s dedication to craftsmanship.
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Exceptional Series: Originally celebrated for its malt whiskey, this series is expanding to include more Kentucky bourbon and West Virginia wheat bourbon, reflecting the brand’s exploration of diverse flavor profiles.
- Limited Release Batches - Four Grain Mashbill (rations are not disclosed) blend of 5.5-15 year old barrels. This is where the brand can experiment with stuff and make cost friendly batches.
The Pride of Anderson County
Rare Character is also involved in producing The Pride of Anderson County, a collaboration with Rare Bird 101, founded by David Jennings. This limited-edition collection features a 13-year-old bourbon and a 9-year-old rye, crafted with care and showcasing the exceptional qualities of whiskey from this storied region.
