Distillery Debuts Its First Bourbon X Rye Blend

13th Colony Distilleries is releasing its first-ever bourbon and rye blend, reflecting the distillery’s ability to create layers of flavors that are composed to perfection. Barrel Symphony, launching in June, brings together two distinct whiskeys into a single thoughtful, balanced pour, bottled at cask strength.

What is 13th Colony’s Barrel Symphony bourbon and whiskey blend?

Barrel Symphony: Composition No. 1 is crafted from 87% straight bourbon whiskey aged six years and 13% straight rye whiskey aged seven years in 13th Colony’s South Georgia distillery, where natural heat cycles and perfect humidity combine to produce exceptional whiskey. Bottled at cask strength 116.2 proof, Barrel Symphony is a layered expression that highlights the natural sweetness of bourbon alongside the spice and structure of rye, creating a pour that evolves from first sip to finish.

“Barrel Symphony is a celebration of the art of blending,” said Maxwell Darby, president of 13th Colony. “We evaluated bourbon and rye barrels from across our aging program, bringing together whiskey distilled at 13th Colony alongside whiskey distilled to our specifications and matured in our South Georgia climate. By selecting the barrels that best complemented one another, we created a whiskey with layers of depth, balance and complexity that no single barrel could achieve on its own.” 

What is the flavor profile of Barrel Symphony – nose, palate and finish?

On the nose, the blend of bourbon whiskey and rye whiskey offers a warm honey and pancake syrup lead, followed by bittersweet chocolate and floral notes of honeysuckle. The palate opens with maple sweetness and malted barley before moving into spiced fruit and baking spice, with a finish that lingers in sweet corn and dark malt.

This limited release continues the distillery’s commitment to crafting spirits that are worth drinking slow, with a philosophy to “age to taste, not just time,” and blending to shape each expression. For example, its famed limited edition Double Oaked Bourbon artfully blends barrels aged between eight and 10 years. The distillery’s everyday 113 Bourbon Finished with Maple Wood Spirals uses a unique finishing process to allow the bourbon flavor to shine with a subtle hint of sweetness on the finish. And its Southern Rye draws its uncharacteristically smooth finish from unique toasted French Oak spirals that have a silkier texture than its American counterpart.   

Where is Barrel Symphony available at retail?

Barrel Symphony will be available in limited quantities at select retailers and at the distillery.