Help & FAQ

A monthly membership. Take a 90-second taste quiz and we send full-size bottles of craft bourbon picked to your palate, 1 to 4 a month depending on your box. Shipping is free, you can skip, pause or cancel anytime, and if you hate a bottle, we credit you back.

The Starter: 1 to 2 bottles a month. The Explorer: 2 to 3 bottles a month. The Connoisseur: 3 to 4 bottles a month. All full-size, all ship free.

See each tier's current price on our home page.

No, it's a monthly membership. If you only want to try one box, cancel in the Portal before your next billing date and you won't be charged again.

From your quiz answers. We buy barrels ourselves, direct from craft distilleries and independent bottlers: single barrels and small blends, with both names on the label. We also carry some distilleries' core bottles, because knowing a house's standard pour is what makes its one-off barrels mean something.

Yes. Email us what you'd rather not get, for example rye, wine or rum cask finishes, or very high proof, and we'll note it on your account for your next boxes.

We track every bottle we send you and every bottle you buy from our shop, so you shouldn't get a repeat. If one slips through, tell us. We can't see bottles you bought elsewhere, so if one of those turns up, tell us and we'll note it.

Some, yes. Others are our own private selections and aren't sold anywhere else. Our selections carry both names on the label, ours and the producer's.

We use your taste profile to match you with the bottles we think come closest to your preferences, and we put real care into every pick. That said, taste is very personal, so we can't guarantee every bottle will be a perfect match. Inventory can also shift, and when a style you prefer is limited, we may substitute bottles we think you'll enjoy.

That's exactly why we offer our Credit Back Guarantee. If a bottle doesn't land for you, let us know within 30 days of receiving it and we'll credit its value to your account, up to what you paid for the box.

And sometimes the bottle you didn't expect becomes a new favorite, especially when it's shared with friends and the people you care about.

• Month 1. Starter, Explorer and Connoisseur: Field guide (PDF) + two tasting glasses.
• Month 2. Explorer: WL Hat + $15 Credit. Connoisseur: WL Hat + $25 Credit. Starter: not included.
• Month 3. Explorer: First West Extra Aged. Connoisseur: 15 Stars Triple Cask III. Starter: not included.

Rewards come with that month's box. There's no commitment: stay three months and you collect them all.

Not any more. On the Explorer and the Connoisseur, the bonus bottle now comes with your third box, as a thank-you for staying. The Starter doesn't include a bonus bottle.

If glasses are out of stock when your first box ships, we send them separately once they're back. You don't need to do anything. If they arrive broken, email us a photo.

Your field guide is a digital PDF, so it won't be inside your box. We send it to you by email instead. If you can't find it, check your spam or promotions folder first. Still missing? Just email us and we'll send it again.

Your account hub at customer.whiskeylibrary.com. Rate the bottles you've received, switch tiers, manage your subscription, see every bottle from your boxes and shop orders, and check your credit.

Yes, anytime in the Portal. The change starts with your next box.

Yes. Change how often your box ships in the Portal.

On the same date each month as your first order. We email you a reminder 3 days before.

Pay for your next boxes in advance at a discount. Every reward comes in your first box. Prepaid boxes can't be cancelled or refunded. The credit-back guarantee still applies to every prepaid box. Offers vary and can change without notice.

Log in with the email you used for your membership. Members-only bottles appear once you're signed in. If you're signed in and it still sends you to the quiz, email us and we'll send you a direct checkout link. Some releases sell out fast.

For beginners, look for bourbons that are smooth, approachable, and lower in proof (80-90 proof). Classic entry points include Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, Maker's Mark, and Four Roses Small Batch - all offer a balanced profile of caramel, vanilla, and light spice without overwhelming heat.

If you're not sure where to start, The Whiskey Library's Bourbon Mystery Box is designed for discovery, so you can explore craft bourbon without the guesswork of picking bottles yourself.

Bourbon whiskey is a type of American whiskey distilled from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn. By law, bourbon must be produced in the United States, aged in new charred oak barrels, distilled to no more than 160 proof, entered into the barrel at no more than 125 proof, and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.

There is no minimum aging requirement for bourbon, but "straight bourbon" must be aged at least two years. Most quality bourbons are aged four to eight years or longer, developing complex notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, and spice from the charred barrel.

All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Whiskey is a broad category of distilled spirits made from fermented grain mash, encompassing Scotch, Irish whiskey, rye, and Japanese whisky.

Bourbon is specifically an American whiskey that must meet strict legal requirements: at least 51% corn mash bill, aged in new charred oak barrels, produced in the United States, and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof. These requirements give bourbon its distinctive sweetness, caramel depth, and vanilla character compared to other whiskey styles.

Bourbon is made through a multi-step process. First, a grain mixture (mash bill) of at least 51% corn, along with malted barley and either rye or wheat, is ground and mixed with water and yeast. The mash ferments for several days, converting sugars to alcohol.

The fermented liquid (distiller's beer) is then distilled, typically in a column still followed by a doubler or thumper, to no more than 160 proof. The clear distillate (white dog) enters new charred American oak barrels at no more than 125 proof, where it ages - gaining its color, flavor, and complexity from the wood. After aging, it is bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.

A mash bill is the recipe of grains used to make bourbon. By law, bourbon must contain at least 51% corn, which gives it its characteristic sweetness. The remaining grains are typically malted barley (for enzyme activity during fermentation) and either rye or wheat as the flavoring grain.

A high-rye mash bill (like Bulleit or Four Roses) produces a spicier, bolder bourbon. A wheated mash bill (like Maker's Mark or Weller) produces a softer, smoother spirit. Understanding mash bills helps you predict which bourbons you'll enjoy - and it's one of the factors our curation team weighs when selecting bottles for The Whiskey Library.

Straight bourbon whiskey is bourbon that has been aged for a minimum of two years in new charred oak barrels, with no added coloring, flavoring, or other spirits - only water may be added to adjust proof.

If the bourbon is aged less than four years, the age must be stated on the label. Straight bourbon represents a higher quality designation because it guarantees both maturity and purity. Most premium bourbons meet or exceed straight bourbon standards.

Proof is a measure of alcohol content. In the United States, proof is exactly double the alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage. So a bourbon labeled 100 proof is 50% ABV, and an 80 proof bourbon is 40% ABV.

Higher-proof bourbons (100+ proof, sometimes called barrel proof or cask strength) tend to deliver more intense, concentrated flavors. Lower-proof bourbons are typically smoother and more approachable. Bottled-in-bond bourbon is always exactly 100 proof by law.

Bottled in bond (BIB) is a legal designation under the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 that guarantees a whiskey meets strict quality standards. A bottled-in-bond bourbon must be the product of one distillation season, made by one distiller at one distillery, aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years, and bottled at exactly 100 proof (50% ABV).

The label must identify the distillery where it was produced. Bottled in bond is widely considered a mark of quality and transparency - it tells you exactly who made it, when, and where. Many bourbon collectors seek out BIB releases for their consistency and proof.

Single barrel bourbon comes from one individual barrel rather than being blended from multiple barrels. Each barrel imparts unique characteristics - subtle differences in flavor, proof, and color - making every single barrel release one of a kind.

Some of the bottles in our boxes are single barrels we picked ourselves.

Proof is double the ABV, so 100 proof equals 50% alcohol. Barrel proof means the bourbon was bottled at full barrel strength without added water.

A barrel pick (also called a store pick or private selection) is a single barrel of bourbon selected by a specific retailer, bar, or group directly at the distillery. The buyer tastes samples from multiple barrels and chooses the one that best fits their desired flavor profile.

Barrel picks are highly sought after because they offer a unique expression of a bourbon you can't get anywhere else. Our barrel picks carry both names on the label, ours and the producer's.

Allocated bourbon refers to bottles that distilleries produce in limited quantities and distribute on an allocation basis to select retailers. Examples include Pappy Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, George T. Stagg, and Weller Full Proof.

Because demand far exceeds supply, these bottles are difficult to find at retail and often sell out immediately.

Craft bourbon is produced by small, independent distilleries that typically manage every step of production - from grain sourcing to mashing, distilling, aging, and bottling. Craft distillers often experiment with unique mash bills, heirloom grain varieties, non-traditional barrel finishes, and innovative aging techniques.

The Whiskey Library specializes in sourcing craft bourbon from these smaller producers across the United States. Many of our most popular Bourbon Mystery Box inclusions come from craft distilleries doing exceptional work.

Store bourbon upright in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations. Unlike wine, bourbon should never be stored on its side - the high alcohol content can degrade the cork over time, leading to leaks or off flavors.

A sealed bottle of bourbon will keep indefinitely. Once opened, bourbon remains excellent for one to two years, though flavor may slowly evolve as oxygen interacts with the spirit. Keep the cap or cork sealed tightly after each pour to slow oxidation.

Yes, bourbon is generally considered gluten free. Although bourbon is distilled from grains that contain gluten - primarily corn, along with barley and rye or wheat - the distillation process removes gluten proteins. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) allows distilled spirits to be labeled gluten free.

However, individuals with severe celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should consult their physician, as trace amounts may vary by product.

It's up to you. Ice chills and softens the bourbon but can mute some flavor, so if you like it on the rocks, use one large cube or sphere to slow dilution.

Neat is straight at room temperature, on the rocks is over ice, and up is chilled with ice then strained into a glass without it.

A cocktail smoker burns wood chips like hickory, oak, cherry, or apple, and the smoke is trapped in your glass for a few seconds to add a smoky aroma. Start light, since too much smoke can overpower the bourbon, and only use food-safe wood chips.

A Glencairn or tulip-shaped glass is best for tasting, while a rocks glass is classic for ice or cocktails.

Look at the color, gently nose the glass, then take a small sip followed by a second, slower one to pick up flavors and notice the finish.

Barbecue, grilled meats, aged cheeses, dark chocolate, pecans, and desserts like pecan pie all pair well with bourbon.

Orders ship within 1 to 2 business days from Washington, D.C., by UPS, and arrive 5 to 8 business days after they ship. Holidays and out-of-stock items can add delays. Shipping is free on every Mystery Box.

Usually not. It means your shipping label is made and your box is waiting for UPS to collect it. Tracking updates once UPS scans it. If it still says "label created" after 3 business days, email us with your order number.

Yes. Someone 21 or older has to sign, and UPS may ask for ID. UPS tries three times. If you won't be home, email us before your box ships and we can send it to a nearby UPS Store for you to collect, or hold it until you're back.

If UPS is unable to deliver your order after three attempts, or if the delivery is refused, the package is returned to us. We'll email you to arrange either a reship to the same or a different address, or a refund.

If you choose a reship, we'll send your entire order again.

All refunds on returned orders are subject to a restocking fee of 20% of the items' cost or $35, whichever is greater. Original shipping charges are non-refundable.

If we don't hear from you within 28 days of our email, we'll issue a refund minus the restocking fee.

Update it in the Portal before your next billing date, so the next box goes there. If a box has already been charged, email us straight away. Once it has shipped, we may not be able to change it.

We deliver to 41 states and Washington, D.C. We can't ship to Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Rhode Island or Utah. US addresses only, and no P.O. boxes.

Check with neighbours and your building's front desk first, then email us with your order number and we'll send you UPS's proof of delivery. Shipping insurance must be purchased at checkout to cover lost, stolen or damaged shipments. Whiskey Library is not responsible for lost shipments, including packages lost due to delivery holds or rescheduling requests.

Anytime in the Portal, with no fee and no minimum term. Cancel before your next billing date and you won't be charged again. If you leave before month three, you miss the rewards that hadn't arrived yet. Prepaid offers are non-refundable.

Yes, in the Portal. Skip before your billing date to avoid that month's charge.

Right after checkout we offer a second box at a discount. If you added it by mistake, email us as soon as you can. Within 2 hours of ordering we cancel it, no questions. After that, if it hasn't been packed, we'll do our best to cancel it and refund you.

Email us straight away. If it hasn't been packed yet, we can usually cancel and refund it. Either way, you can cancel before your next billing date.

Hate a bottle? We credit you back. Credit back covers bottles from your Mystery Box. Email us within 30 days of receiving it, with your order number and a photo of the bottle with its cap off beside it. We credit its value to your account, up to what you paid for the box. Spend it on your next box or on anything in our bottle shop. It's store credit, not a refund.

We'll credit the full cost of the box to your account, as long as you let us know within 30 days of receiving it. Use it on your next box or on bottles you'll enjoy.

Your credit shows in the Portal. Use it on your next box or on any bottle in our shop.

Each bottle should have its own card. If you have a card with no bottle, or a bottle you didn't expect, email us a photo of all your bottles beside their cards, with your order number, and we'll ship what's missing.

Spillage, minor damage and cosmetic defects can happen in transit, and we aren't responsible for minor damage. If a bottle arrives broken, leaking or spoiled, email us within 30 days of delivery with photos and your order number. We'll review it and, if approved, replace or refund it.

State alcohol laws don't let us accept returns on spirits. That's what the credit-back guarantee is for. If something arrives defective, spoiled or wrong, email us within 30 days of delivery.