Old Carter bourbon in Westford, MA

CBC Liquors in Westford carries Old Carter bourbon, with Batch 18 at 115 proof and Batch 19 at 119 proof both in stock today. You can see everything we have from the maker on the Old Carter brand page, then pick up at 142 Littleton Rd.

Which Old Carter bourbons does CBC Liquors have?

Right now we have two Old Carter bottlings in stock: OLD CARTER BATCH 19 BOURBON 119 PROOF and OLD CARTER BATCH 18 BOURBON 115 PROOF. Both are listed on the Old Carter brand page, which shows what we hold from the maker and is the quickest way to check before you make the trip.

Stock on bottles like these can change, so the product pages are the best guide to what is on the shelf today. If you are after a specific batch, look there first.

We are a full store, with 4,588 products in stock across 1,883 brands, so if you are hunting for rare bottles, Old Carter is one of several places to look. Our bourbon section is the wider view.

What do the batch numbers and proof mean?

Old Carter releases its bourbon in numbered batches, and each batch is its own bottling. That is why you see Batch 18 and Batch 19 sold as separate products rather than one standing bottle. Treat each batch as a distinct release, and do not assume two batches taste the same.

Proof is double the alcohol by volume. Batch 18 at 115 proof is 57.5 percent alcohol, and Batch 19 at 119 proof is 59.5 percent. Both are well above the 40 percent minimum for bottled bourbon.

Those numbers tell you these are bottled at high strength. Bottles at this level are generally poured in small measures, and many drinkers add a few drops of water or a single large ice cube to open them up.

What is bourbon, and what makes a bottle like this different?

Bourbon is American whiskey made from a grain mix that is at least 51 percent corn, aged in new charred oak barrels. It carries no added colouring or flavouring if it is straight bourbon. Those rules are the same whatever the label.

What separates one bottling from another is the barrels chosen, the age, and the proof it is bottled at. Higher-proof bourbon usually tastes richer and hotter on the first sip, with more weight on the tongue, than a bottle watered down to 80 proof.

If you want to compare styles, our whiskey and rye pages sit alongside bourbon, and the rye is a good contrast in spice.

How should you drink a high-proof bourbon?

Start neat in a small glass, a few sips at a time. Give it a minute in the glass before you judge it, because strong spirits are often sharp at first and settle as you wait.

Add water a few drops at a time rather than all at once. A large cube melts slowly and changes the drink less than several small ones. Cocktails such as an old fashioned work with bourbon at this strength, but many people keep a bottle like this for sipping.

Store it upright, away from sunlight and heat, with the cap tight. An opened bottle keeps well for a good while when stored that way.

How do you get a bottle from CBC Liquors?

The simplest way is to come to the shop at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford. We are open Sunday 10 AM to 8 PM, Monday to Thursday 10 AM to 9 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 10 PM.

We also offer pickup, delivery and shipping. Pickup hours match our shop hours. Delivery runs Sunday 10 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 9:30 PM.

For delivery you can check our delivery areas to see whether your town is covered. Our shipping policy and return policy explain the details for orders that leave the shop. Bring valid ID, as you must be 21 or older to buy.

Do you serve towns near Westford?

Yes. Besides Westford we serve Chelmsford, Carlisle, Littleton, Acton, Tyngsborough, Lowell, Billerica, Boxborough and Dunstable. Each has its own page: Chelmsford, Acton, Lowell, Littleton and others listed under our delivery areas.

If you are in Groton, Concord or Ayer, those towns have pages too: Groton, Concord and Ayer.

Check your town page before ordering so you know what applies to you.

What else should you look at if you want rare or special bottles?

We have an allocated items page for bottles that come in limited quantity, which is worth a look if Old Carter is part of a wider search. For keg or special order requests, use our kegs page.

If you are picking up other bourbon, 1792 Small Batch is one we have written about, and Angel's Envy rye is another for comparison.

If you are not sure what to choose, ask at the counter. Tell us what you usually drink and we will point you to something on the shelf.