Barrell Bourbon Batch 036
57.2% ABV
$90
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
A multi-mashbill blend was created by combining full-bodied barrels with black cherry notes and oak-forward barrels with a nutty flavor profile. After these mingled, younger barrels with stone fruit and peppery highlights were added to the blend. Lastly, older barrels with notes of milk chocolate, cinnamon and pecans were carefully layered in. The result is an elegant bourbon that is opulent on the finish.
BLEND COMPONENTS:
Indiana: 7.5, 8, & 10 years old
Kentucky: 9 years old
Tennessee: 8 & 15 years old
- A blend of straight Bourbon Whiskeys
- Bottled in Kentucky
- 114.4 proof cask strength bottling
DERIVED MASH BILL:
Corn: 79%
Rye: 16%
Malted Barley: 5%
FLAVOR NOTES
A satisfying nose of honey, fresh citrus, cherry jam, and snickerdoodles fuse with deeper notes of Kuromitsu and cinchona bark. Notes of caramel, chocolate and pecan pie warm up the palate before citrus zest and cherry cordial coalesce with a wave of pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon.
Neat
Appearance: Tawny.
Nose: The aroma starts with honey, lime, tangerine, and apricot, then evolves into cherry jam, Marcona almonds and buttermilk pancakes. Notes of Snickerdoodle cookies, Kuromitsu, chocolate mint, and a touch of cinchona bark emerge followed by subtle notes of fresh citrus.
Palate: The palate starts out rich with notes of caramel, cherry cola, pecan pie and chocolate torte, followed by citrus zest and cherry cordial. Hints of pepper and cardamom flicker throughout the mid and back palate followed by a dusting of cacao, Saigon cinnamon and oranges.
Finish: Cinnamon, white pepper, citrus zest, and cherry.
With a splash of spring water
The aroma expands to Hufsie spiced tea loaf, mead, brown butter cookies, and cinnamon doughnuts. The palate becomes more decadent with notes of salted caramel latte, baklava, and streusel. The finish coats your mouth with notes of cinnamon orange coffee cake and a touch of oak.
What Gary Says
Nose: Baked goods, caramel, cinnamon, mixed raw nuts, cherry, and a hint of cocoa and oak.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with honey, caramel, toffee, milk chocolate, cherries with cinnamon, and an orange zest zip.
Finish: Long and thick with cherry cola, cinnamon, and honey.
Comments: I continue to be amazed at how both major distilleries and blending houses achieve consistency over large periods with innumerable variables. That said, I’ve got mad admiration for what the folks at Barrell Craft Spirits do working with some of the same major distilleries (and smaller ones) to create unique batches. Some I like more than others, although I can’t recall any that I didn’t care for. This is in the ‘more than others’ camp. A fine bourbon to sit back and sip on neat during a summer evening, or over a cube. This opens up nicely if you’re patient and give it some time in the glass – which I know isn’t always easy. And while I enjoyed what they’ve put inside the bottle – also worth noting is a change to their label design which makes the batch number more prominent. As my eyes aren’t getting any younger, I really like that update! I also found this to make a superb Old Fashioned.