Stands Out

Barrell Craft Spirits Bourbon
3rd Release, 15 Yrs

52.45% 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 15 years
• Distilled and aged in IN, KY and TN
• Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
• 104.9 proof cask strength bottling

An ephemeral bouquet shifts between heady minerals, tart fruits, woodsy spices, and rich nutty notes; with a delicacy that belies the explosion of oak on the palate. Water brings out a creaminess which transforms the nose into a lush and tropical experience reminiscent of a hazy IPA.

Appearance: Sugar just beginning to caramelize.
Nose: Heady and intense, with a first impression of summer rain, sea salt, and slate. This bourbon quickly opens to pineapple, cranberry, and crushed apple. Cumin, caraway and grains of paradise announce the presence of woodsy oak spice. As the senses are acclimated, a richer bouquet is revealed, with tahini, macadamia nut, leather, and roast pork.
Palate: Where the nose only hinted at oak, the palate explodes with it. There is gripping tannin, manuka honey, and the herbaceous complexity of an old world digestif. As a sip is held, it grows sweeter and mellower, tasting of French vanilla ice cream and coffee liqueur.
Finish: The fruits return as fassionola syrup, and Italian stone fruit, rounded out with roasted chestnut. It fades on hickory smoke and black pepper.

With a splash of spring water: The nose gets creamier: banana, candied lemon and jammy apricot joining the pineapple to create a tropical fruit smoothie. A touch of juiced wheatgrass lends a hoppy vibe. The palate grows spicier, with fiery cinnamon joined by juniper berry and catnip before fading on chewing tobacco.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the third release of Bourbon within the Barrell Craft Spirits Line,” said Founder Joe Beatrice. “For this annual release, we identified and blended some exceptional barrels to taste that are defined by absolute balance and deep flavor layering.”

Beginning in October 2020, Barrell Craft Spirits will make 12,000 (750ml) bottles of BCS Bourbon available at select retailers within the brand’s current 45 U.S. markets and online via the BCS website at www.barrellbourbon.com for the suggested retail price of $250.00, which includes a classic black storage case.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich with cocoa, oak, maple syrup, vitamins, fruit cake with caramel sauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, musky leather.
Palate:  Warm with caramel, maple, honey, cinnamon bite, orchard fruits, vanilla, allspice, hint of clove with herbaceous notes.
Finish:  Long and drying with oak, vanilla and sandalwood.
Comments:  This is a really nice dram, well balanced and rich.  The vitamin notes of Dickel are there, but not front and center.  Some water does seem to bring those forward more, along with the maple notes.  Nothing objectionable, although a bit pricey (but price is pretty subjective, and when it comes to bourbon – all bets are off).  I’m not sure I like this better than some of their other batches (like Barrell Bourbon Batch 023), but hard to say when you don’t have them side by side.  They are one of the only companies out there blending bourbon from different distilleries, which does give their products a unique angle.  And thus far, the results have been pretty tasty!

Rating: Stands Out

Bib & Tucker 6-Year-Old
Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey

Batch No. 22 | Bottle No. 59796
46% ABV
$40-$50
Website

We would like to thank Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and R\West for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Like the 1880s that inspired it, boldness and refinement come together to create a bourbon that’s meant to be raised in celebration. Aged for a minimum of 6 years in low char white oak barrels produces unparalleled smoothness. This harmony makes it easy to enjoy from the front of the mouth to the back. Worthy of any occasion, you pick the moment and this award-winning small batch bourbon will make it.

Taste profile
Aroma – leads with a scent of strong vanilla and sweet hay. And is accented by a whiff of sandalwood and mace.
Taste – a smooth entry, the bourbon is nicely balanced with a hint of pecan pie sweetness. It fulfills the promise of its nose before evolving into a warm, rich, spicy sensation.
Finish – coats the palate with a complex, yet balanced and long-lasting chestnut finish.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Vanilla cream frosting, coffee cake, fall leaves, vitamins/mineral note, touch of sour oak and molasses.
Palate:  Vanilla, maple candies, baking spices, praline, black cherry and mixed berries.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with notes of vitamins, cherries and oak.
Comments:  While not disclosed, this is almost certainly distilled by Dickel.  The notes of vitamins/minerals on the nose and finish are a classic presentation of their house style.  That said, this is definitely different from Dickel TN Whisky.  Nice balance of sweetness with some spice notes, and really opens up with a few drops of water.  The bottle is unique and interesting.  While I personally prefer clear glass to showcase the color of the whisk(e)y, this definitely has that ‘antique feel’ (and by the way, the color of this whiskey is lovely, and darker than I would have guessed for its age).  If you’re a fan of Dickel, I think you’ll definitely like this (and if you haven’t been a fan of Dickel in the past, I wouldn’t immediately discount this – maybe try a pour at a local watering hole).

Rating: Stands Out