Despite being a relatively new player on the scene, Barrell Bourbon has continued to distinguish themselves in the competitive whiskey market ever since their founding in 2013. Using only sourced whiskey from a variety of undisclosed distilleries, Barrell has made a solid mark as innovative blenders with consistent releases of high-quality whiskey.
Barrell isn't a new brand to the Amongst the Whiskey writers. With highly cherished barrel picks and a top rated rye in the archives, this is a brand that continues to inspire curiosity and excitement amongst the team. These cask strength bourbon releases are certainly no exception. With broad distribution around the US, these accessible offerings highlight a wonderful exploration of nuanced sourcing and blending.
Batch 036 is the first to showcase Barrell's new label. A classy and concise update, the subtle modifications on the batch number, in addition to the derived mash bill of the final blend on the back label, pair perfectly with the whiskey Barrell pushes into the market, in my opinion. Batch 35 hit high marks for me and my fellow reviewer, which begs the question, how will the latest batch stand up to an already solid lineup of expertly blended bourbon? Thankfully Barrel Craft Spirits provided this bottle for the purpose of a review with no strings attached, and I thank them for the opportunity. This will in no way affect the final rating of the whiskey in accordance with our editorial policy.
Company on Label: Barrell Craft Spirits
Whiskey Type: A blend of straight bourbon whiskeys
Mash Bill Percentages: A derived mash bill of 79% corn, 16% rye and 5% malted barley based on the blending proportions
Proof: 114.44°
Age: 7.5 years (a blend of 7.5-15 year bourbon)
Further identification: Batch 036 is blended from whiskey distilled in IN, KY & TN; the blend composition is made up of 7.5, 8 & 10 year Indiana bourbon, 8 & 15 Tennessee bourbon, and 9 year Kentucky bourbon; it is available now at an MSRP of $84.99
Nose: This smells like good, solid bourbon. It's classic and approachable, with some fruity sweet treats of cotton candy along the way. A few swirls in the glass bring out vanilla extract and clove with warm cinnamon. Deep inhales reveal thick caramel sauce ladled onto a scoop of buttered pecan ice cream. A few additional swirls and sniffs usher in oodles of fruit, dark cherries, apricots, and oak spice. However, the more I sit with the Glencairn up against my nose, the more the proof grows, so I'll take that as my cue to get sipping.
Returning to the glass after a sip amplifies the fruit weaving throughout with maraschino cherries dominating with bursts of confectioners sugar coming in behind. The proof is also more noticeable, distracting me a bit from the musty hay and dusty notes trying to shine through. The empty glass smells of sun-warmed fields filled with prairie grasses and flowering purple clover.
Palate: The mouthfeel is really lovely and concise, with a chewiness that reminds me of a slightly undercooked pizza crust. Moist pound cake covered in a lush caramel glaze dominates my palate, followed by a warming spice of cinnamon and sugar. The finish brings in sweet mints, Lipton tea, and flashes of black pepper. Another sip has me smiling with a delectable sticky bun caramel quality that mimics the nose quite perfectly. The final taste ends with cherries, raspberries, and apricots sparkling in the late afternoon light from a generous sprinkling of table sugar.
TL;DR: a well-rounded sip of blended bourbon craftsmanship
Rating: 3/5
There's no question that the Barrell team's blending is top-notch, and this release is another example of how to do it right. The nose and palate match perfectly and offer a well-balanced sip, ticking off all the boxes of good bourbon. This is a bottle to be enjoyed on a day that calls for sitting back and taking in a few quiet moments with the comfort of no-frills whiskey.
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