This review is based off of a single barrel “store pick” of their 125 proof Full Proof version. I’m sure pretty most everyone knows this, but Full Proof just signifies the maximum entry proof of distillate that can be put into new oak barrels for bourbon. Barton claims this to be around 8.5 years old, although the bottle makes no claim to it’s age. This is not chill filtered.
N: Oak, vanilla, caramel, cherry, butterscotch.
P: Lightly oily vanilla and caramel with some alcohol heat. Chocolate brownies, some oak and baking spices emerge as the heat dissipates.
F: Baking spices, fading candied notes (mostly chocolate), surprisingly not much oak.
I can see why this is, for the most part, is well liked. I remember when this 1st came out a couple of years ago. Now you see it somewhat frequently as a “store pick” as well as their Single Barrel version. The original release was not a single barrel, but a batch release. So, the flavor profile of this one may be more “linear” than the batch released product, but that is probably splitting hairs. It’s a decent drink for the money and proof - I would say.