If you like a backstory please check my review on Barrell Batch 30. So this one is going to be short as my reviews go. For one reason it was the last of 4 samples I had at a Barrel tasting event. For two I did not enjoy this one and want to come back after I revisit it another time perhaps. Maybe my opinion will change tasting it without having previous had so many in a short period of time and being distracted by the event being rushed to an end due to a late start and another tasting waiting in the wings! Also the samples were very small! I like to allow my whiskies to sit longer, and to really take my time with them. I did not have that luxury. However ,,,, Appearance: Same as with all Barrel I have tried, leggy, oily and beautiful in glass. Nose: Super sweet, creamy, brown sugar, baking spice. Flavor: Port wine, sweet, tart, tangy, hot, very herbaceous, very strong heat. To me, this one is a miss - at least for now. It was rather bitter in my mouth and if I had not been in public with others I may have made an ACK face. It was off putting mostly due to the expected flavors were in almost extreme opposition to the nose. Shocking to say the least. Clearly the sweet aroma was from the port wine that presented in flavor but there was no heat in the aroma yet it was so present in the mouth! I also was not expecting such herb flavor and while I love herbs so very much this blend of herbs did not sit well on my palette and caused the bitterness I believe. Like I said, I do want to try it again and potentially and hopefully will love it. This is the only Barrell brand I have tried and not truly loved. Ratings have nothing to do with cost - just my impressions.