Tastes

Yeasty, doughy, mildly spicy nose with some apricot—a reocurring theme with Barrell. Palate is robust raisin bread, oak, vanilla and cinnamon sugar, not at all experimental. The apricot comes across too. Reminds me of the hot cross buns my mom used to make. The finish is tannic, nutty and spicy—the low point of the sip, but i wouldn’t equate it with ash. Speaking of the expert review, this is far from an oaky monster of a bourbon. This app routinely undervalues Barrell…maybe they’re not paying up. 💸 Given that i tried multiple later Barrell offerings before i tracked this down, I’m surprised at how old school it is. But old school on high octane. Very good.

Brown sugar, cherry, chocolate nose. Palate follows through with some drying spice. Tannic finish.

Grassy, brandy nose reveals less than what I’m used to from Barrell bottles. Palate is a step up, buttery, almonds and mildly salty. Summer fruit—pears and peaches and apples (early apples)—piles on. The cognac doing its thing. Finish is oily and tastes like brandy.

Spicy peanut and charred oak nose with rye making an appearance and a hint of mint. Tongue is spicy bread pudding with raisin and apple and some dill. Medium finish leaves a spicy, tannic, herbal memory. This was a Pickle Riff bottle from the greater Kansas City area which maybe explains the dill notes.

A respectable nose of hay, honey, caramel, oak, vanilla and green apple. This Missouri Bourbon smells like a bourbon, albeit a young one, which is a relief since I’m a Missouri resident. Good to see my state producing decent whiskeys. The palate is about what i’d expect, grassy barnyard stubble with light honey and mellow fruit. Kinda thin, which I chalk up to the youngness. Age statement: 4 yrs. Wheel Horse and Green River are good comps at better price points. As far as other MO Bourbons, it’s not a crowded field but Ben Holladay is currently out in front.

I was about to start smoking pork butt so naturally when i saw this bottle it was impossible to resist. Subdued nose eventually gave a hint of bbq rub and charcoal. Palate was smoky with an herbal honey brininess that reminded me of Carolina bbq. Since i like scotch, i like the smokiness. Not what i’d call robust but not bad for a gimmick release and when i eventually eat dinner i imagine this will pair well with pulled pork.

A light floral, woodsy, honey nose with a pepper-and-hay hit that does a good job smelling like summer. Taste delivers on the aroma with smooth wildflower honey and mild oak and subtle spiciness with a hint of fruit as the sip lingers. The wheat gives everything a mellow softness. Sourcing and stigma aside, I’m tempted to call this the true and better Tennessee Honey.

Light young floral nose. Honey, hay, vanilla taste. Short vanilla finish.