March 2023

Barrell Bourbon Batch 034

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Barrell Bourbon Batch 034

57.31% ABV
$90
Website
Barrell Bourbon Batch 034
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 Bourbon Batch 034 is a blend of 6, 8, 10, and 15-year-old barrels. 8-year-old barrels driven by strong hazelnut and dark cherry notes lay a foundation enhanced by high-corn barrels showing browned butter and apricot. We mingled this first step for months before adding high-rye barrels carrying cinnamon and allspice. Finally, a vatting of 10 and 15-year-old barrels was added for earthiness and light tannin. The result is a robust and sophisticated bourbon.

  • A blend of straight Bourbon Whiskeys
  • Distilled and aged in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana
  • Selection of 6, 8, 10, and 15-year-old barrels
  • Aged in American white oak barrels
  • Bottled in Kentucky
  • 114.62 proof cask strength bottling

FLAVOR NOTES
The nose is deftly balanced between the exuberant fresh fruit of youth and the oxidized, dried fruit of maturity. This dynamic tension carries over to the palate where rich port notes are supported by bright Seville orange and cola

​Neat
Appearance: Copper with rose gold highlights.
Nose: Eggnog and madeleines set the stage. Dry, hard cider integrates a range of florals such as elderflower and violet. Over time, the fruit transitions to a more cooked character, displaying dried apricot, candied orange peel, and mulled cider.
Palate: Blackcurrant jam and grape soda start the palate off with focus and depth. More classic notes of cinnamon donut, warm cola, and pecan pie emerge. Fresh notes of green grape and Seville orange are followed by umami, and salt.
Finish: A modest amount of sandy tannin sustains notes of shiso, licorice root, and fudgy peanut butter cup through a lengthy finish. There is an additional pop of iron and slate.
With a splash of spring water
Grows initially quite perfumed as volatiles blow off, smelling of petrichor, jasmine tea, and apple cider vinegar. When it settles, a deep rancio character comes out – leafy and nutty.

What Gary Says

Nose: Salted caramel, baked apples with cinnamon, oak (both freshly hewn and aged), nutmeg, orange zest, leather, floral with hints of mulling spices, toffee and roasted nuts.
Palate: Bread pudding, cinnamon, caramel, nutmeg, cola, honey, dark chocolate, toffee and a bit of pepper.
Finish: Moderately long, syrupy with fudge, anise and cinnamon.
Comments: Another really lovely dram!  Thick and chewy like a freshly baked adult cookie. While I’ve yet to try a Barrell Bourbon batch that I didn’t like, some definitely stand-out more than others, and this is one of those. Really well balanced, with sweet, fudgy notes and just enough oak and spice.

Rating: Must Try

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Kirkinriola Single Cask Series Canadian Island Triple Distilled Potstill Whisky

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review / ,

Kirkinriola Single Cask Series
Canadian Island Triple Distilled Potstill Whisky

Carefully crafted in premium recharged Portuguese red wine Barrique

46% ABV
$130
Website
Macaloneys Kirkinriola Single Cask Series Canadian Island Triple Distilled Potstill Whisky
We would like to thank Macaloney’s Island Distillery for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

This island whisky is from our triple distilled single potstill range – triple distilled using only the best unmalted and malted barley available. The patient, yet purposeful, triple distillation produces a complex, layered and balanced new-make spirit. Dr. Swan described our original new-make which trickles off our copper pot stills as “the best that I have tasted in any distillery at this stage, super fruity.” This triple-distillate is even smoother and fruitier!

This single cask series, Kirkinriola (pronounced ‘kirk-in-riola’), is our connoisseurs / collector’s single-cask edition. Like the passionate, spirited Ulster-Scots, it is an ever-changing series of triple-distilled potstill expressions based on unique one-off single casks, or other special selections. With individually numbered bottles, it is sought after by those who appreciate fine whisky.

A wonderfully complex nose with apricot, papaya, pears, honey, oats, brandied fruitcake, natural caramel, red wine and oak wood. The palate is creamy and full bodied with cereal and a symphony of floral and fruit notes including roses, honey, nectarine, papaya, apricot, apples and candied orange. Layered into this are red wine, blackcurrant, wood spices with a lingering oak finish and a hit of sea breeze.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Thick, pipe tobacco, fruity with plums, apricots, pears, earthy red wine, nutmeg and a hint of maple syrup.
Palate:  Creamy, viscous and thick with intense stewed fruits including apricot, soft citrus notes, honey, tobacco, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Finish:  Moderately long and damp with honey, soft oak and currants.
Comments:  Absolutely delicious! Intense flavor and a unique profile. This is by far my favorite of the first three Macaloney’s Island Distillery samples I’m reviewing (there will be two more reviews coming later!). I love the earthy/tobacco notes which remind me of a nice single malt scotch whisky with thoughtful cask management. Simply throwing whiskies from different casks together does not always work, and the layers and balance here is really nice. For only a few dollars more than the Kildara or Killeigh – I’d go for this over those every time. As the single cask series may have different casks, make sure you read the label/box as it may not be the same as I’ve reviewed here.

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

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