If you’ve been in the bourbon world for any amount of time, you’ve probably seen the words “Private Selection” or “Store Pick” on a label — and maybe wondered what all the fuss is about. Why does that bottle of Russell’s Reserve from your local shop taste different than the one from another state? Why are people trading and chasing store picks like rare collectibles?
Here’s the truth: no two barrels are ever the same. And when a small group of bourbon lovers gets to hand-select one straight from the rickhouse, something special happens.
Let’s dive into what makes a store pick so unique — and why it’s one of the best ways to experience bourbon at its most personal.
What Exactly Is a Store Pick?
A “store pick” (or “private barrel”) is a single barrel of bourbon chosen by a retailer, restaurant, or bourbon club in partnership with a distillery. Instead of blending multiple barrels for consistency, the distillery bottles one barrel — exactly as it is — often with a custom sticker or label celebrating who picked it.
It’s like capturing a snapshot in time. That specific barrel, from that specific warehouse, aged under those exact conditions, will never exist again.
Why Store Picks Became a Movement
For years, store picks were an insider’s secret — a perk for retailers who sold a lot of product. But as bourbon collecting exploded, so did curiosity about these one-of-a-kind bottles. Enthusiasts realized that store picks weren’t just marketing gimmicks — they were often better than the standard releases.
Why? Because most store picks are chosen by people who truly care — people who know bourbon, taste carefully, and want to share something great with their customers.
Over time, store picks became a culture of their own. Some collectors now focus exclusively on them. And honestly? I get it. There’s something addictive about owning a bottle that nobody else has.
The Selection Process: Where the Magic Happens
The process usually starts with a distillery inviting a group to its warehouse or tasting room. Picture this: rows of barrels, sunlight slipping through old rickhouse windows, the smell of oak, sugar, and time hanging in the air.
A distillery rep thumps the sides of a few chosen barrels, drills into one with a whiskey thief, and the tasting begins.
The group tastes samples side by side — maybe three or four barrels of the same bourbon, same age, same mash bill — yet each one tells a different story.
- One might be sweeter, like caramel and baking spice.
- Another might pack a bold oak punch.
- A third might have that weird, funky note that makes it unforgettable.
After debate, notes, and a few more “just to be sure” sips, the group votes. The winning barrel gets tagged, bottled, and sent exclusively to that store.
That’s how bourbon lovers become part of the craft.
Why They’re So Special
Every store pick represents real human taste — not a formula, not a focus group. You can taste the personality of the people who chose it.
Maybe it’s a shop known for picking bold, high-proof bruisers. Maybe it’s a bourbon club that always leans toward smooth, dessert-like flavor profiles. Once you start following the people doing the picking, you start trusting their palates like old friends.
Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about opening a bottle that only a few hundred others will ever have. It’s bourbon’s version of finding a hidden track on your favorite album.
Pro Tips for Finding Great Store Picks
If you’re diving into the world of private selections, here are a few ways to make the most of it:
- Build relationships with your local shop. They’ll often hold bottles or give first dibs to regulars.
- Taste before you buy (if possible). Some stores offer sample nights when picks arrive.
- Follow reputable pick groups. Many bourbon societies share reviews or flavor notes online.
- Don’t overlook lesser-known distilleries. A store pick from Wilderness Trail or 1792 might surprise you more than another Blanton’s chase.
- Keep notes. Document what you liked — warehouse number, proof, distillery — to learn your flavor preferences.
Over time, you’ll start to see patterns in what you love.
When Store Picks Go Too Far
Of course, with popularity comes chaos. The sticker culture has gotten wild — pop-culture mashups, meme labels, and even controversy over copyright jokes. Some collectors now chase stickers more than whiskey.
But at its heart, the store pick game isn’t about flashy labels. It’s about connection — between the people who pick, the distillers who craft, and the bourbon that ties it all together.
Final Pour
Every barrel has a story.
Store picks are a reminder that bourbon isn’t a product — it’s a living, breathing craft that changes from rickhouse to rickhouse, from one season to the next. When you grab a private selection from your favorite shop, you’re not just buying a bottle — you’re buying a moment in time that will never happen again.
That’s the art of the store pick. And if you ask me, that’s the heartbeat of this whole bourbon thing — sharing unique bottles, unique stories, and a shared love for what comes out of the barrel.
Cheers,
—Nick
