The Bourbon Bandit’s Top 5 Rare Whiskeys You’ve Probably Never Tasted

The Bourbon Bandit’s Top 5 Rare Whiskeys You’ve Probably Never Tasted

Ok so there is a dude who’s basically living every whiskey lover’s dream. Chris Warrick, a regular guy who stumbled into the world of bourbon after a random distillery visit, has turned into a full-on whiskey hoarder—500 bottles strong! What started as a chill gift run for his boss ended up sparking a legit obsession. Now, he’s the Bourbon Bandit, rocking cowboy hats and snagging rare bottles like it’s no big deal. I once tried hunting down a decent bourbon at a local spot and came up empty-handed, so I’m low-key jealous of this guy’s stash. Here’s the rundown on his top five picks—trust me, these ain’t your average shelf finds.

Peg Leg Porker 12 Year

Topping the list is Peg Leg Porker 12 Year, a Nashville exclusive that survived a freaking tornado with Chris. He grabbed it on a rainy night, then watched chaos unfold from his hotel room as the storm smashed everything. The bottle made it through unscathed, even when his ceiling caved in. That’s some next-level luck. He says it’s a reminder to live every day like it’s your last, and after that wild night, I’d be cracking that bottle open too. Buy it now!

New Riff Single Barrel

New Riff was the first barrel Chris and his buddy Megan picked for their tasting crew, WTF—yep, that’s the real name of their group. They rolled up to Newport, Kentucky, tasted it, and were like, “Yup, this is the one.” It’s got their logo etched on the bottle, which is pretty darn cool. A single barrel pick like that is always a vibe because it’s unique, like finding a killer playlist no one else has. Buy it now!

Old Carter Rye Whiskey

Old Carter Rye is one of those finds that Chris stumbled on early and couldn’t let go. He took a gamble on a pricey bottle, and it paid off big time. The COVID batches he’s got even have little hand-drawn hearts on the label—how cute is that? It’s got a vibe that screams “we’re in this together,” and honestly, sipping something that special would make any rough day feel a little less shitty. Learn more.

Belle Meade Craftsman Cask Collection Brandy Finish 

This one’s personal for Chris since Belle Meade is where his whiskey journey kicked off. It’s aged in old Spanish brandy casks from World War II, which gives it this dark, oaky kick that’s not for the faint-hearted. The story behind it—ship dodging Nazis and all—makes it feel like you’re drinking history. I tried a heavy oak bourbon once and nearly coughed my lungs out, but if you’re into that bold flavor, this one’s a winner.

Four Gate Whiskey Co. Limited Release Bourbon

This gem comes from a small outfit in Louisville, Kentucky, that drops limited batches like they’re hot mixtapes. Chris got hooked early on when he was cruising through the area for work. He says it blew his mind, and I get it—there’s something about a smooth, small-batch bourbon that just hits different. He’s nabbed the first 25 releases, plus a super rare Eagle Thief bottle, which is basically the whiskey version of a unicorn. Learn more.