Barrell Foundation Double Barrel Bourbon

50% ABV
$55
Website

We would like to thank Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Blender Says

Barrell Foundation Double Barrel Bourbon exhibits all the complexity that you find in a Barrell Craft Spirits bourbon at a lower proof. Secondary maturation in new American oak casks enhances the notes of dark chocolate, leather, dried fruit, and toasted marshmallows, while the twenty-three percent rye in the mash bill gives a richness to the blend. This is a versatile, full-flavored bourbon perfect for enjoying neat, over ice or in a cocktail.

BLEND COMPONENTS:
Kentucky Bourbon: 8 years old
Indiana Bourbon: 5, 6, & 9 years old
Tennessee Bourbon: 8 years old
Maryland Bourbon: 5 & 6 years old

DERIVED MASH BILL:
Corn: 73%
Rye: 23%
Malted Barley: 4%

• A blend of straight Bourbon Whiskeys
• Crafted and bottled in Kentucky

FLAVOR NOTES

​Neat
Appearance: A rich, dark amber hue that glistens invitingly in the glass.
Nose: The aroma unfolds with a luscious blend of caramel and hints of milk chocolate, complemented by baked apples and a dash of pumpkin spice. Following this initial wave, notes of apple fritter, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey-roasted almonds, and orange peel emerge. As the glass fully opens, fresh orange juice, fine black pepper, vanilla, hazelnut, and chocolate-covered cherries come to the forefront, along with enticing hints of brûléed banana, warm bread pudding, and a touch of sweet leather.
Palate: The entry is warm and creamy, with flavors of orange sponge cake, lightly roasted coffee, and rich caramel leading the way. As the sip evolves, notes of cinnamon, dark chocolate, cream puff, and fresh mint emerge. With each successive sip, cherry, vanilla, and toasted marshmallow take hold, while notes of white pepper, toasted walnuts, and vibrant orange zest flicker throughout, creating a harmonious and complex experience.
Finish: The finish is smooth and lingering, with echoes of vanilla, orange, white pepper, and cinnamon that invite you back for more.
With a splash of spring water
Adding a drop of water enhances the experience, making it more decadent. The chocolate merges with the toasted marshmallow to become fire-roasted s’mores, while the honey-roasted almonds transform into pralines. The brûléed banana evolves into luscious bananas fosters, and the baking spices become more defined, merging with the sweeter notes for an indulgent profile that entices the senses.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, cocoa, baking spices, vanilla, bit of orange zest and leather.
Palate: Orange creamsicle, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate covered cherries, nutmeg, walnuts and a bit of pepper spice at the end.
Finish: Moderate in length, slightly drying with vanilla, cinnamon and caramel.
Comments: Another really solid offering by the folks at Barrell Craft Spirits. The front label may read 5 years, but if you blind test this against a 5 year bourbon I think you’ll find the complexity from some of the older stock is noticeable. I really enjoyed this one neat; while the tasting notes from BCS are the best in the business as far as I’m concerned – a bit of water didn’t open it up for me. While really good neat, this also makes one helluva old fashioned!

Rating: Stands Out

Penelope Estate Collection Private Select
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50.6% ABV
$80
Website

We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us samples to review.

What the Blender Says

Penelope Private Select annual release explores new and unique expressions of our straight bourbon whiskey blends using the finest of our aged barrel stocks.

From hand selecting the barrels to creating each blend, Private Select strives to showcase the best in all of us.

Mash Bill: 74% Corn | 20% Rye | 1% Wheat | 5% Malted Barley
Blend of Straight Whiskies
9 Years Old
#4 Staves, #2 Heads
Four Grain
101.2 Proof
Un-cut, Non Chill-Filtered

TASTING NOTES
AROMA: Rich caramel, vanilla custard, and cherry fruit
FORWARD NOTES: Smooth caramel syrup, brown sugar, subtle barrel char, and hints of butterscotch and crème brûlée
BODY: Marshmallow, caramel, sweet cherry and black pepper
FINISH: Vanilla crème brûlée, allspice, and light smoke

What Gary Says

Nose: Salted caramel, toffee, vanilla, brown sugar, dried cherries and charred oak.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with vanilla, caramel, black cherry, bit of orange zest and cinnamon.
Finish: Moderate in length with vanilla, classic oak spice and a bit of pepper.
Comments: A very nice, solid bourbon. Tasting this next to the Estate Collection Single Barrel, this is similar but with a thicker, richer mouthfeel. Both are non-chill filtered but it really stands out here, which I appreciate (as well as the orange zest notes). Also appreciate this being slightly less expensive for a dram I appreciate more!

Rating: Stands Out

Penelope Estate Collection Single Barrel
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

49% ABV
$90
Website

We would like to thank Luxco and BYRNE PR for sending us samples to review.

What the Blender Says

Penelope Single Barrel uncovers the character that lies within our finest aged stocks. Each barrel, unique in profile, is hand selected from various warehouses and floors after a decade of aging.

Some barrels are just too exceptional to blend.

Mash Bill: 75% Corn | 21% Rye | 4% Malted Barley
Three Grain
Single Barrel Whiskey
98 Proof
Non Chill-Filtered

TASTING NOTES
AROMA: Vanilla, caramel, dried fruit, sweet cherry
FORWARD NOTES: Smooth caramel syrup, brown sugar, subtle barrel char, and hints of butterscotch and crème brûlée
BODY: Caramel, buttercream frosting, maraschino cherry, and light rye spice
FINISH: Dried cherry, marshmallow with lingering spice

What Gary Says

Nose: Salted caramel, vanilla, oak, cherry, hint of blackberry and chocolate.
Palate: Vanilla, crème brûlée, cherry, caramel, hint of maple candies, nutmeg and blackberry.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with sour oak, vanilla and cinnamon.
Comments: A nice bourbon, and stands out as unique as I don’t often get blackberry as a note in bourbon (or whiskey in general). Not sure where that’s coming from either, although should note that with any single barrel products there’s built in variability. I wouldn’t add any water to this one – on the nose it does bring out more fruit notes with apples, but thins out the palate. Neat this one drinks nicely, although at MSRP seems a bit pricey.

Rating: Stands Out

Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Casks

45% ABV
$45
Website

We would like to thank Woodinville Whiskey for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Our award-winning flagship Straight Bourbon Whiskey, further aged in port barrels.

We source our casks from Portugal’s Douro Valley to finish our Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This 2017 Special Release was such a distillery favorite that we made it the third full-time member of the Woodinville portfolio.

Six months in, the emptied casks introduce a rich texture and notes of sticky baked plums and chocolate-covered cherries, creating a complex and delectable bourbon you can really chew on.

This dark amber beauty is available in our tasting room and at select retailers in states where Woodinville is carried.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, dried plums, cherries, currants, milk chocolate and toasted oak.
Palate: Round mouthfeel with caramel, chocolate covered cherries, vanilla, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, hint of anise and clove.
Finish: Short to moderate in length with dried fruit and fading baking spices.
Comments: Quite nice dram! Very dark in the glass, but the port finish is balanced well; not heavy handed. This is something I look for in finished whiskies – not overpowering the base whiskey with too much finishing (which can be too much time in the cask, or where/how they age it). A very easy to drink bourbon that gives you those lovely fruit notes you’d expect from a port finish. While I enjoy it, I’d love to see this offered at a higher proof (maybe a limited edition cask strength port finish?)

Rating: Stands Out