Blind Barrels – Sample Kit Review
Blind Barrels
Price: See Website for current
As of 10/20/2024
Single box (4 samples): $85 including shipping
Quarterly Subscription (1 box, 4 samples): $59.99 each quarter
Annual Subscription (4 quarterly boxes, 16 samples total): $199.99
Promotions and specials may affect pricing
We would like to thank Blind Barrels for sending us a sample kit to review.
What Blind Barrels Says*
* as of 10/20/2024
American Craft Whiskey Club
If you enjoy trying new kinds of whiskey, consider a craft whiskey club subscription from Blind Barrels. We pick top-shelf whiskeys for our members at a discounted price. Our full bottles are a great addition to your whiskey cabinet that you can enjoy yourself or share with a friend. Our American craft whiskey club subscription is also a great gift to give to a friend who loves whiskey. Read on to learn more about our whiskey club.
Our Subscription Process
With each shipment from Blind Barrels, you will get four samples of whiskey bottles. Your first box will ship immediately after you place the order; then, you will get one delivery every quarter (every three months). We look forward to helping you find new whiskey to try.
Other Blind Barrels Products and Services
If you are interested in Blind Barrels merch like hats, drinking glasses, or t-shirts, visit our merch page to purchase these items and wear them with pride. We also offer masterclasses for you to learn more about tasting whiskey, whiskey history, and whiskey recipes.
For more information on joining the craft whiskey club from Blind Barrels, visit our FAQ page. We look forward to helping you discover new whiskey.
How It Works
PICK A SUBSCRIPTION: Sign up yourself or a fellow whiskey lover to the most exclusive top-shelf whiskey club.
SET DELIVERY LOCATION: Curated samples are shipped right to your door every quarter.
ENJOY YOUR NEW DISCOVERIES: Fall in love with a new brand and order member-discounted full bottles to add to your whiskey cabinet.
What Gary Says
Full disclosure – folks who have read our blog are probably aware that I’m not a big fan of most ‘craft whiskey’. While there have been some exceptions, I often find the product just doesn’t compare favorably with similar products from the major distilleries (and is priced super premium). I get the cost advantages that the big companies have, but as a consumer – don’t feel responsible for having to pay the difference. The exception to this is if you can offer me something unique, different, or innovative. So the notion of a tasting kit that focuses on craft whiskey – let’s say I went in with fairly low expectations. Note that
Let’s start with the kit itself. The packaging is solid and well done. Opening the box you’re greeted with a card that details the particular release. The sample I was sent was the June 2024 release, noting to celebrate Father’s day they featured whiskey made by both father-son and father-daughter teams (nice touch). Also noted that a portion of the proceeds from each June box is being donated to Forgotten Not Gone, which I appreciate it.
Removing the card you find the four samples, packed securely in foam and labeled A, B, C and D. Really nice presentation. The back of the card also includes ‘The Tasting Table’ which is a list of notes that one might get with whiskey, starting at a high level and gradually refining. The card also includes instructions to go through the samples once before revealing what they are using the QR code. Appreciate the table, as I’m not ashamed to admit that I have similar tools I like to use when tasting a spirit to try to job the brain as to what aroma or flavor I’m detecting.
The samples themselves are 50 ml, and to follow the required regulations they include a government warning and state in fine print on the back where they were distilled (just the state, not the distillery) as well as the ABV. Appreciate that they keep this small and not draw attention to it; I note it here only so that if you’re wanting to know the least amount of information – you know NOT to look at the back until you’re ready to reveal more details.
A 50 mL sample is plenty for someone to do several passes by for nosing tasting. If you’re buying the kit to share, you probably are looking at either only sharing with one other person (if you want to do two small passes), or maybe 3-4 if you only do one pass. Appreciate that the samples were organized from the lowest proof to the highest proof. Any experienced whiskey taster would set it up this way to avoid palate fatigue or burnout from the high proof drams.
I poured maybe 10-12 mL of each into a Glencairn and let them sit for just a few minutes before making my first pass. Just on the nose the four samples were all very different, which is good. While some may enjoy a really narrow tasting (like four bourbons all from the same distillery and mashbill, but at different ages/proofs/rick house aging locations), it can be challenging for those who don’t really geek out on those details. These were all quite different.
I didn’t do very well at guessing what they were. Below is a brief description of my impressions of each, followed by what they are. If you want to read all of the details (or watch the video they share for the tasting), the URL from the QR code is https://blindbarrels.com/pages/0624.
Sample A
Nose was very rye-like, herbal with mint, bit of citrus, cedar – but a little funky; intriguing! The palate had a creamy mouthfeel, with mint, lemon, caramel and a hint of cinnamon.
I guessed this was a rye whiskey with a lot of barley in the mashbill (like 70% rye, 10% corn and 20% barley). Of the four samples, this is the one I enjoyed the most, as it was very intriguing but also quite enjoyable to sip.
[Sample A: Axe Hole Single Malt Whiskey]
Sample B
Nose was very unique, funky with oak and carpet. On the palate, I got herbal notes of cloves and anise, and thought as strange as this was it must be a craft single malt. This was my least favorite of the samples as it was just odd and not in my wheelhouse.
[Sample B: UNBendt Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled-in-Bond]
Sample C
Nose definitely was telegraphing a wine influence, between sherry or marsala, with notes of maple syrup behind the fruit. ON the palate it was malty, with maple, chocolate and a bit of pepper and tarragon. I was at a loss for the type of spirit, as it made me think more of a scotch with different wood management than anything else.
[Sample C: Old Monongahela Full Proof Rye Whiskey]
Sample D
Nose was richer than the others, with caramel and some chocolate, as well as a grassy note. On the palate it was thick and rich with vanilla, caramel, chocolate and nutty notes. This was the highest proof dram and it stood out (61% ABV), with a bit of a burn. I did peg this as a bourbon, and thought maybe a wheater. This was a close 2nd to Sample A as my favorite, although if I was just looking for one to kick back and enjoy I’d go for this.
[Sample D: Doc Holliday 10 Year Straight Bourbon Whiskey]
While not especially a fan of most craft whiskey, and wasn’t particularly fond of a couple of these samples – I absolutely enjoyed the tasting experience! It was fun to try to guess what they were without having any details (while the proof was listed, after I noticed it on the first I didn’t look at the backs of the others until I was done). If you are a fan of craft whiskey, or are starting out on your whiskey journey and trying to figure out what you like and what you don’t – this is a fun way to learn about some different whiskies. This would make a fun whiskey experience gift for someone as well – or for a couple (or couple of friends). This is definitely geared more for the younger (legal drinking age or higher) generation. My dad would enjoy the blind tasting, but lacking a smartphone and having no idea what a QR code is – would have been left out. I like how the site has the samples in envelopes. One recommendation I’d offer is to include the ‘reveal’ in the kit itself but in an envelope with a warning to NOT open; for those few consumers who may not be technologically savvy (although this very likely isn’t in their target demographic).
Cheers!
Gary
