Hmmm...

It looks like we got out of sync.
Reload your page to freshen up and ensure that you get the best experience.

  • Skip to navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Join Distiller

Take your spirits journey to the next level when you create an account. Once you sign in you can...

  • Rate Bottles

  • Add Your Notes

  • Save To My Top Shelf

Create Account

Already have an account? Sign in

Enjoy our full-featured list experience in the
free distiller app

  • Create your own lists
  • Find spirits on the go
  • Easily search thousands of products
  • Follow friends and see what they're drinking
  • Track your collection with unlimited notes and bottle quantities PRO
Download Now No Thanks

Enjoy our full-featured list experience in the
free distiller app

  • Create your own lists
  • Find spirits on the go
  • Easily search thousands of products
  • Follow friends and see what they're drinking
  • Track your collection with unlimited notes and bottle quantities
    PRO

GET IT NOW:

If you want to add an image with your reviews install the app.

GET IT NOW:

Distiller.com uses cookies that are essential for us to operate the website and that are helpful for us to improve the services. By continuing to browse our website, you agree to first-party and third-party cookies being stored on your device. Learn More About Cookies
Search
Distiller Home
  • Search
  • Find People
  • Join Pro
  • Recommend
  • Articles
  • Sign In
  • Register
  • Search
  • Find People
  • About Distiller
  • The Tasting Table
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Jobs
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Home

jonwilkinson7309

Barrell Armida

Bourbon — Tennessee (bottled in Kentucky), USA

Reviewed October 23, 2020 (edited July 12, 2021)
4.5
4.5 out of 5 stars
Had I tasted Armida blind, I would have been completely befuddled if I had to guess what it was. Cognac? Armagnac??  I'm not ashamed to say bourbon might never have occurred to me.  It's unlike any whiskey I've ever had. The reason it didn't offer even a hint of its bourbon provenance is the finishes, which dominate.  The pear brandy hits up front - sweet, rich and fruity.  The Jamaican rum steadily underpins the palate, while the spicy and slightly bitter amaro crescendos to the finish. There's a rich thickness that is slightly reminiscent of a liqueur.  It's sweet, but the Jamaican funk and the amaro bitterness are a great offset.   The only comparison I can think of is Barrell's Dovetail.  The profiles are very different, but both are finish driven, complex, and highly unique.  Also like the Dovetail, Armida is very drinkable at full proof.  In fact, I can't think of any other 110+ proof spirit that drinks easier. I find it a bit harder to numerically rate a spirit that doesn't have obvious peers, and I'll be interested to see where others reviewers land.  I won't be surprised if Armida ends up as a polarizing dram.  For me, the 4.5 simply speaks to the sheer enjoyment I had drinking it.  
80.0 USD per Bottle
  • PBMichiganWolverine
  • Ctrexman
  • bigwhitemike
  • CKarmios
  • 1901
  • Soba45
  • ScotchingHard
  • SolanaRoots
  • Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington
  • LouisianaLonghorn
  • jdriip
  • ContemplativeFox
  • DigitalArc
  • Richard-ModernDrinking
  • jsk
  • chetbell
  • tasting_goodness
  • MaxCat
  • michaelgraves
  • Ancient33w
  • reggiet
  • douglwong
  • Jim-Hey
Create Account or Sign in to comment on this review
  • PBMichiganWolverine
    December 5, 2020

    You’re so right that this was polarizing —-seems like a 50/50 split here in the reviews between love it / hate it

  • chetbell
    October 29, 2020

    Fascinated by your review. Hope to try it someday because dovetail is one of my favorites.

  • jonwilkinson7309
    October 26, 2020

    @jsk. hand you a sample of you're interested. You can email me at my Distiller user name + gmail.com.

  • jsk
    October 26, 2020

    I like Dovetail, but this one's pretty weird. I'm curious to try it but buying a bottle without tasting first seems a bit risky. Hopefully I can find a bar pour in the future.

  • ContemplativeFox
    October 24, 2020

    Wow, this sounds totally bizarre, but fascinating! I'm glad it turned out to be good :)

  • PBMichiganWolverine
    October 23, 2020

    I loved the Dovetail. This one sounded uniquely interesting as well. That combination of pear, rum, and amaro seem like a strangely good mix

Sign up for the Distiller Newsletter

Follow Us
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Download The App
To learn more about responsible consumption, please visit Foundation For Advancing Alcohol Responsibility.
  • Terms Of Service. ™/© 2026 Distiller
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Submit For Review
  • Jobs
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • About Distiller
  • The Tasting Table
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Submit For Review
  • Jobs
  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Service. ™/© 2026 Distiller
Follow Us
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Newsletter
Sign up for the Distiller Newsletter for new bottle & feature updates
To learn more about responsible consumption, please visit Foundation For Advancing Alcohol Responsibility.