Barrell Dovetail (122.9 Proof)

Ever witness a cartoon image of evil candy? And no, I don't mean crack. I mean toes that look like candy corn with fangs and claws, and a booty of grisly promiscuity that straddles the line of legality. That is what ran through my mind during my initial sip of this fabulous dram. And as this year's Halloween festivities may go down as the most disappointing in contemporary history, I figured that this whiskey merits a review. The nose is greeted by aromas of grape jelly and spicy cinnamon. Quite inviting, and it appears that this trick-or-treater is wearing sandals. Fortunately for us, the subject drinks like a teenager (so prone to celebrate Halloween in the occasion of a coronavirus orgy vis-à-vis party). And what a party bringer this is: the palate is molasses-inflected, flowing into dark fruity sweetness, before developing into rum-flavored cane sugar. (I borrow liberally from @BeppeCovfefe for his succinct notes.) The mouthfeel is viscous and syrupy. The finish proves to be astringent and drying, but minimally bitter. I think we have a virgin here, my fellow conspirators! But damn - if I haven't sold my soul to the Devil yet - this is the smoothest cask strength whiskey I've ever come across. (Virgin it is, perhaps, but one that is a hustler or a gangster. One who shall never admit to virginity or wrong-doing -- well, at least, not beyond it's infant years.) At a blistering 61.45% abv, the Dovetail rocks more like a 50% liquor, with most of the proof felt tingling on the tongue. It's literally the calm at the center of a brooding storm. This is the first spirit I've encountered where an indulgent sweetness has been successfully amplified by the alcohol volume without hammering me into numb submission. It's like drinking cask strength Manischewitz wine, as the dark liquid coated my throat with sticky nectar. And like a real-life teenager, there is very little balance - but enough maturity to be competent. I want more, however, as I partake in the vitals of the victim. Adding a teaspoon of water and the mouthfeel is a bit lighter, but remains thick, while tempering the dry astringency. (A tad disappointing, considering how a splash of water in Barrell's Whiskey American Vatted Malt turned the body into the most superlative whisk(e)y mouthfeel I've known... but at this point, I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth.) With further attention to the finish -- i.e. tongue smacking -- herbaceous and dark spice notes pop and play out into a light oak bitterness. (Yes, I can taste the parental DNA as I take away my victim's life water.) This takes to H2O very well, but I prefer it neat. When taken so, it is a masterfully blended indulgence, with a thick mouthfeel weighted towards dark sweets and a malt body. Again, it isn't even close to being balanced - as the sweet notes border on cloying - but the ABV will not set my undead palate free. At the end of my voracious bloodletting, I am left with a husk, mirroring the snappy ride that went through my palate. True, the name itself "Dovetail" is relevant to woodwork, where the joints are formed by interlocking segments. And in this case, the segments are the casks involved: rum, cabernet, and port. But like any universally constant ideal, the qualities derived are subject to variance, question, evaluation, and even, denial. And in this particular instance, I'll have to revive my subject to find a permanent place for it in my collection - even if it means entombing it in stone - simply because it's so astoundingly smooth. Thanks @jonwilkinson7309 for the hearty recommendation.

Very unique and delicious.

I love most spirits, big bourbon, rum, tequila, mezcal, Armagnac/brandy/calvados guy.... even gin. Only stuff I don’t like is vodka... because vodka. If you came to this party to find some whiskey or bourbon’esque creation, move on. If you appreciate spirits because of their complexities and differences, you’ll be in good company with this spirit. Nose packs apple pie, cherry, caramel, brown sugar and vanilla. Very pleasant and very low burn for the proof. I don’t get any of the spice or menthol the official review said. Instead, it’s replaced by wave after wave of sweet, warm, and campy flavors. Vanilla and butterscotch follow a cherry apple bomb that fades into a brown/Demerara sugar flavors. Finish is thick and luscious, lots of mouthfeel and again a feeling of warmth without burn. This is potentially the best sweeter / dessert style corn alcohol product ever made.

Spicy, strong, sweet

Purists may not like it, but who cares? This whiskey is absolutely delicious. Sweet, decadent, light, spicy, powerful, thick. There’s a lot going on here, it’s crazy. Very complex and very tasty. Continue sleeping on this please, so that I can enjoy it all. One of the best I’ve had.

I was really excited to try this. I like a bourbon that has a lot of different flavors and this definitely was that.