Barrell Bourbon Batch 031

A sweet and easy sipper, feels lightly viscous with confectioners sugar, caramel, hints of fruit and scads of vanilla, a little spice pops in mid palate and rides out the surprisingly long finish to the slightly bitter end. Not at all what I expected from Barrell, but I like it a lot none the less. Distiller Review No. 662

Lot of spice, which isn’t surprising given the proof. It does seem to drink a bit like a rye to me. Overall it’s decent but didn’t blow me away. Given some other reviews will come back to this one after it breathes a little more. Similar to others, neck pour was very hot and spicy. Went back after to re-rate and had a very different experience. It still drinks like a rye, but with a small cube has a butterscotch and desert flavor with a mich smoother and sweet profile. The bit of kick is still there like a higher rye but the sweetness balances it out greatly. Closest thing I can think of is like sucking on a spicy worthers. Changed from 3.0 to 4.00.

The neck pour had serious spice. Like cayenne pepper on the finish kind of spice. A little air balances it—the spice is still there, and strong, but the brown sugar/vanilla notes of good bourbon become more prominent. If “smooth” is your jam it’s not likely to be in your wheelhouse, but I’m a rye fan, so this is really appealing for me. I’ve enjoyed Barrell finished ryes (Dovetail, Seagrass) before, but this will get me looking for their bourbon batches too.

Nose: pine needles clove dandelions wet leaves Taste: Raspberry vanilla moving into a Spivey clove cinnamon and tabbaco Finish: a nice aged oak. Not bitter wood but nicely refined