Barrell Bourbon Private Release D01K

Bull City Bourbon Club pick, "Peach Cobbler" Batch No. D33i Microblend of 40% 5-year, 35% 7-year, 20% 10-year, and 5% 17-year 58.07% abv; 116.14 proof Open 2 months Nose - Ripe peach, apricot, red plum, pie crust, Apple Jacks, cinnamon bun, clove, light black pepper, light oak, and medium ethanol. Palate - Peach cobbler (yes, it tastes exactly as the name), spiced apples, honey, cinnamon, and butterscotch. Finish is medium-long with overripe peaches, black pepper, allspice, cinnamon, white sugar, and medium ethanol bite. This is the first of 3 picks our club released this summer from Barrell, and is probably my favorite overall. Initially it was a little chalky when first cracked, but it opened up beautifully. It smells and tastes exactly like the name, with maybe a little apple and apricot thrown into the mix. It drinks sweet and lower than its proof, and is one of the best sipping cask strength bourbons I've had in a while. For reference, this microblend is mostly MGP with some Dickel and KY bourbon. Although this shares classic characteristics of MGP bourbon, it features more unique sugar and fruit notes than what you'll find in George Remus or other NDPs. The sticker price for Barrell is tough to swallow, but based on the four picks I've bought this year (one from Davidson County and three from BCBC) they release excellent products that live up to the cost. I've had a bunch of $50-70 sourced bourbon and rye, they're not always winners. Sometimes it's nice to pay a little more and buy a sure thing.

The one that I tried was a store-picked, blend B25A, from 925liquours in MD. On the nose, this gives me notes of nuts, like almond dust, and pecan, with a little mint in the background, so lightly; also licorice... not sure that the Rye % is, but these are the notes that I normally get with rye. This bottle comes at 56.08%, so this is not super hot, but it's definitely a little warm. With a little ice, I think this will shine. I like the nutty flavors, which I get on other Barrell bourbon bottles.

Corn, citrus, oak on nose. Salted caramel, think higher rye mash.

Sharp and spicy

Mine was barrel 045 and A32C 35% 5yr, 30% 9yr, 25% 13yr, 10% 15yr. 114.3 proof. Solid bourbon. Salty caramel, vanilla, baking spices. Moderately full mouth feel with a very long spicy hot finish but it isn’t hot up front considering the proof. I would guess higher rye mash as well.

Very nice smooth mix of bourbon.