Oregon’s 503 Distilling Debuts its 5 Year Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
In time for Derby Day on Saturday, 503 Distilling will debut its first ever single bourbon whiskey, a 5 Year Singe Barrel Bourbon Whiskey! This new single-batch whiskey will be available exclusively at the 503 Distilling Lounge beginning Saturday, May 3, 2025 when the iconic Kentucky Derby takes place. The celebration at the 503 Distilling Lounge will feature bourbon flights and festivities for local whiskey enthusiasts.
The journey of the new 5 Year Singe Barrel Bourbon Whiskey began nearly seven years ago in 2018. It was at this time that the team at 503 Distilling set out to create a signature bourbon from scratch in Oregon. Barreled in 2019 and aged to perfection, this limited run of just 420 bottles features a mash bill of corn, rye, and notably Walla Walla Winter Wheat. The result is a 93.7 proof Bourbon that’s described as being softer, smoother, and offering a more approachable profile than traditional high-corn bourbons.
The driving force of this new 5 Year Singe Barrel is the in its utilization of Its distinctive use of Walla Walla Winter Wheat. While winter wheat is a common bourbon ingredient, 503 Distilling uses a higher percentage than the typical 5% found in most bourbons, resulting in a notably smoother character with less spiciness than conventional bourbons that often use a mash bill of 80-90% corn.
“This bourbon represents years of patience and craftsmanship,” said Rusty Caldwell, Master Distiller at 503 Distilling. “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created—a bourbon with notes of honey, oats, graham cracker, and a beautiful vanilla finish that’s surprisingly smooth for its proof.”
During the Derby Day release event, bourbon fans can purchase the new bourbon by the bottle or glass. They will also have the opportunity to participate in special whiskey flights comparing 503’s bourbon against other premium brands in the same $70-80 price range.
“We’re so confident in the quality of our first bourbon release that we’re inviting customers to try it alongside established premium whiskeys,” added Caldwell. “For our first attempt at bourbon production, we believe it stands up remarkably well against the competition.”
The Derby Day event begins at 2:00 PM on May 3, with the Kentucky Derby race scheduled for approximately 3:57 PM. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite hats to celebrate the occasion in true Derby style.
To learn more about 503 Distilling, visit www.503distilling.com.
503 Distilling Lounge – 4784 SE 17th Ave Suite 150 – Portland, OR
About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.