Roaming Road Spirits Opens Private Bourbon Barrel Picks in the U.S.

Roaming Road Spirits is expanding its domestic single barrel program. The independent bottler is known for cask-strength single barrels from around the world, including rum, Armagnac, Cognac and Irish whiskey. Retailers, restaurants, hotels, private whiskey clubs, businesses and individuals can now pick their own barrel of Kentucky bourbon or rye from owner Mike Gilmore’s inventory.

Gilmore launched Roaming Road in 2024 to import single cask spirits from overseas, under the motto “We Go Where The Spirit Takes Us.” American whiskey wasn’t part of the plan. But Gilmore has more than 20 years of experience picking bourbon barrels, first for his own retail store and then for a barrel inventory he built up. He was already exporting American whiskey picks to Ireland and the United Kingdom when friends, store owners and industry contacts started asking to pick barrels from his stock.

“For more than 20 years, I have been tasting and selecting bourbon and American whiskey barrels, initially for exclusive releases at my own retail store and, over time, for the barrel inventory I was building,” said Gilmore. “American whiskey was not part of the original plan for Roaming Road, but friends and store owners kept asking about choosing exclusive barrels from my inventory.

“This program grew directly from those requests.”

How the program works

Gilmore first works with each client to narrow down what they want: bourbon or rye, mash bill style and flavor profile. Depending on what’s available, the inventory includes Kentucky bourbons and ryes from several distilleries and mash bills, plus rare single cask rums and other spirits.

“A private barrel should reflect the people or business selecting it,” said Gilmore. “My role is to understand what they enjoy, guide them through the available inventory, and help them identify a barrel they will be proud to share with members, customers, clients, or friends.”

There are two ways to pick a barrel:

Samples by mail: Gilmore ships personalized samples to taste before committing.
In-person pick at Bardstown Bourbon Company: Gilmore hosts a hands-on selection in Kentucky, where his barrels are stored. It can include a rickhouse walkthrough, a look at his inventory and tastes of non-bourbon barrels. Visits depend on scheduling and availability.

Finished barrels can be bottled for club members, clients, special events, corporate programs or year-end gifts.

Getting the bottles

Private buyers, clubs and businesses: Cases can ship directly to the buyer where legally allowed, through Roaming Road’s approved fulfillment channels.
Licensed retailers, restaurants and hotels: Selections go through the normal three-tier system and their usual distributors.

Availability, delivery and ordering requirements depend on the buyer’s license and location. To start, fill out the private barrel selection form at roamingroadspirits.com.