Barrell Rye Batch 004
57.85% 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
10-year-old Indiana Rye barrels with notes of brown sugar and a touch of smoke had 5 and 6-year-old barrels layered in for fruit and spice character. 14-year-old Canadian barrels were added for their dry herbal notes. The result is fruit-forward rye with layers of depth.
BLEND COMPONENTS:
Indiana: 5, 6, & 10 years old
Tennessee: 5 years old
Kentucky: 6 years old
Canadian: 14 years old
- A blend of straight Rye Whiskeys
- Bottled in Kentucky
- 115.7 proof cask strength bottling
DERIVED MASH BILL:
Rye: 89%
Corn: 7%
Malted Barley: 4%
FLAVOR NOTES
This rye blend highlights rye’s earthier side, featuring notes of tobacco, leather, and mole poblano. Its stewed fruit and wilder savory character recall the syrahs of France’s Rhône valley: blackberry and tapenade on the nose followed by flavors of bresaola and black pepper.
Neat
Appearance: Copper penny with pumpkin highlights.
Nose: Blackberry, dried apricot and Concord grape lead off. The grape introduces woodsy tones of blonde tobacco, birch oil and dandelion root. Rye lends its familiar bouquet garni, lemon verbena, and peppermint aromatics. Meanwhile an unhurried maturation has produced cashew, tahini and nocino.
Palate: The first impression mirrors the nose but here grape soda is joined by a dark amber maple syrup. Burnt marshmallow leads into rich espresso and black licorice. There’s a deep umami presence of leather, black olive, and grilled onion. The oak here is strong and extractive yielding clove, coconut oil, and pine needle.
Finish: A burst of blanche armagnac and rosewater volatiles make way for the piquant heat of mole poblano and black pepper on the tongue. The lingering impression is of juniper, thyme, and wormwood.
With a splash of spring water
What Gary Says
Nose: Fruity with blackberries, grapes, lemongrass, mint, mandarin orange and a hint of cedar.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel chockful of fruit notes including grapes, apricots, orange and a hint of lemon, bit of maple syrup and cinnamon.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with pepper and savory herbs.
Comments: This is a lovely, savory and herbal rye – ideal in my mind for cocktails. I’m still jealous of the mad skills the folks who do their tasting notes possess, but just as impressed with the blending chops that BCS employs. This is a really nicely balanced whiskey, subtly sweet but more savory with herbal and spice notes. Not typical for a rye, but definitely has that rye-vibe going on, and is a must-try for true rye whiskey fans out there..