Rock Town Distillery Shines in Recent SLB Basement Bourbon Bar Review

Arkansas once again earns national attention in the bourbon world—this time thanks to Rock Town Distillery’s appearance on SLB Basement Bourbon Bar, a popular whiskey review channel known for its down-to-earth style and honest tasting notes. In a recent episode, hosts Kurt and Trenton sat down to explore two single barrel offerings from Rock Town: their Single Barrel Bourbon and Single Barrel Rye.

Both bottles were sent to the show by viewer Todd, giving the hosts a rare opportunity to experience a distillery that doesn’t distribute in their area. What followed was one of the most positive small-distillery reviews the channel has offered in months—especially for an Arkansas-made spirit.

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Rock Town Single Barrel Bourbon Review

The first pour on the table was Rock Town’s Single Barrel Bourbon, a cask strength release distilled and bottled entirely in Little Rock using grains grown in Arkansas.

Key Details (as reviewed):

• Proof: ~125 (62.91% ABV)
• Age: 62 months (5 years, 2 months)
• Mashbill: 79% corn, 8% wheat, 13% malted barley
• Barrel: #173
• Price: ~$63.49

Tasting Notes from SLB:

Both hosts were immediately struck by how non-crafty the bourbon tastes—high praise for a craft distillery. They describe the aroma as raspberry, molasses, and buttery pastry, even calling it reminiscent of a raspberry Danish with a molasses drizzle.

On the palate, they found:

• Dark sweetness
• A hint of tobacco
• Balanced depth
• Classic “quintessential bourbon” character

Trenton compared it to a sweeter Four Roses, while Kurt mentioned that in a blind tasting he could mistake it for a Kentucky bourbon. For a 5-year, cask strength single barrel at around $63, they considered it a standout value.

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Rock Town Single Barrel Rye Review

Next came the Single Barrel Rye, which immediately won Trenton over with its bold, pine-forward nose.

Key Details (as reviewed):

• Proof: 115.2
• Age: 3 years
• Mashbill: 55% rye, 36% corn, 9% malted barley
• Barrel: #236
• Price: Estimated ~$56–$60
• Distillation Method: Pot still

Tasting Notes from SLB:

The nose reminded Trenton of “Christmas tree with brown sugar”, and both hosts said it carried a classic rye profile—bright, piney, and spicy. Surprisingly, even with 36% corn, it leaned fully into the rye character.

They compared it favorably to:

• Willett Family Estate Rye (at about half the price)
• Other tree-forward, Christmas-spiced ryes

Despite being only three years old, they agreed it drinks like a much older product, with well-developed flavor and richness. For a cask strength single barrel around $60, they called it “exceptionally well done.”

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Praise for Rock Town Distillery

Throughout the video, the SLB team repeatedly praised Rock Town for:

• Using 100% Arkansas-grown grains
• Distilling and bottling in-house (no sourced whiskey)
• Transparency in age statements, mashbills, and processes
• Craftsmanship without the typical “craft whiskey” flaws

The hosts noted that it’s refreshing to see a smaller distillery delivering high-quality, non-sourced whiskey that can compete with established Kentucky brands.

They even floated the idea of doing a future Rock Town barrel pick if the distillery offers it—which says a lot about how much they enjoyed these bottles.

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A Win for Arkansas Craft Whiskey

Rock Town Distillery continues to put Arkansas on the national bourbon map. As more whiskey channels and reviewers discover these bottles, expect to see more recognition for the state’s growing craft scene.

For Arkansas bourbon fans—and for anyone chasing unique single barrel expressions—this SLB review reinforces what locals already know:

Rock Town is producing some of the finest craft whiskey in the region, and they’re doing it the right way—Arkansas grains, Arkansas talent, Arkansas pride.