Must Try

Barrell Craft Spirits Gray Label Whiskey
2nd Release, 24 Yrs

Canadian Whiskey Finished in
Oloroso Sherry and XO Armagnac Casks

60.82% ABV
$250
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

• Matured for 24 years
• Distilled in Canada
• Aged in the US and Canada
• Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
• 121.64 proof cask strength bottling

BCS Gray Label Whiskey began with two selections of 24-year Canadian whiskey barrels: one set was fruit-forward and tropical, and one was woody, with a light floral aroma. A portion of the fruit-forward blend was transferred into Oloroso Sherry barrels and a portion of the floral and earthy blend was transferred into Armagnac casks. The remaining whiskey from the two groups was then combined to mingle. When the timing and flavor from the finishing casks peaked, the three components were carefully blended together.
The mature, spicy whiskey is front and center, reminiscent of wheat fields edged with wildflowers. There is a rare and noteworthy concentration of aroma, enriched with a candy sweetness and leafy earthiness from the finishing casks, that calls to mind a toasty Belgian waffle.
Appearance: Pale straw with steaks of dark amber.
Nose: Meticulously layered, with aromas from every stage of production, from field to distillation, to aging, to finishing. The whiskey’s floral character manifests elderflower, with maple and lavender tucked in as well. Notes of rosehip jelly and candied plum, indicative of Armagnac barrels, blend seamlessly with those of fresh, tropical fruit. The grassiness of the whiskey transitions to the nutty character of the oloroso cask. Notes of ginger, wintergreen, and pine pitch are present though the whiskey is not especially woody.
Palate: More oaky than the nose, as suggested by butterscotch, coconut milk, and root beer, nearly obscuring the Canadian whiskey’s trademark green apple brightness. There is a concentration of honeydew melon, gooseberry, and old English cider apples. Meanwhile the earthiness expands to include olive oil, sunflower seed, and licorice root.
Finish: The spirit’s herbaceous side takes center stage, starting with tarragon, shiso, and spearmint. Spicier notes follow, among them caraway, cardamom, and fennel-seeds. A marine-like minerality lingers, mostly salt with hints of weathered herbs.
With a splash of spring water: The fruit notes on the nose shift from fresh to cooked, with grilled peach and pineapple joined by apple pie and dried orange peel. The floral notes, get richer, displaying saffron, propolis, and orange blossom honey. The palate gets tangier, with yogurt and malt vinegar lending a welcome brightness to the earthy sesame and maple syrup flavors.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Thick with maple candies, dried tropical fruit, cedar sawdust, wisps of pine with a light, floral perfume note.
Palate:  Thick with butterscotch, apples, sarsaparilla, maple syrup, raw honey, dark berries with anise.
Finish:  Long with a building rye spice, mint and root beer.
Comments:  I am a fan of older Canadian whiskey. Compared to domestic bourbon or rye, the lower temperatures allow the spirit to mature differently, taking on the lovely nuance you get with age without a lot of oak. This is really tasty, with that subtlety and balance.  A bit of water brings out buttercream frosting and more floral notes.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try