Let's talk whiskey! If you're thinking, "of course, that's why I'm here," then bravo to you for your time and intentions. Yes, whiskey is what is discussed here, and sometimes I let my excited self run off on the sentences that I type. Passion, people. That's what keeps us grounded and alive. Like gravity pulling the moon to the earth and the earth to the moon, we humans need passion (and gravity, so perhaps gravity is passion). But I'm no astronomer. I'm a writer who will reign in her innate draw toward metaphors.
Today, my dear reader, I'm exploring one of the many facets of whiskey and focusing on brands that are pouring passion into what they do without necessarily distilling what we drink. In other words, we're exploring sourced whiskey! New England Barrel Company is a non-distiller producer (NDP) that has shone bright, like the stars in our night sky (you saw it coming), since it was founded in 2020. James Saunders, founder and CEO, has taken his company from bottling single barrels to offering blended small batch and cask strength options to opening a tasting room in Reading, Massachusetts, where you can taste and purchase the small batch and cask strength blends. But wait, there's more! For a hands-on experience, Nick, my fellow Amongst The Whiskey writer, offered his experience on the one-of-a-kind fill-your-own bottle program launched in 2025, something you should definitely put on your bucket list if you find yourself in New England. It's certainly on mine.
As the landscape of whiskey continues to grow with brands and distilleries looking to optimize their stock and market in an enticing way to the oversaturated consumers, it's necessary to take control of what we, as whiskey enthusiasts and appreciators, put in our glass. Quality goes well beyond what is stated on a label or price on the barcode, for we all know to never judge a book by its cover. New England Barrel Company has its heart in the right place, with values grounded in transparency and honesty, which I explored further in my first experience with this brand.
For now, let's dive into the heart of New England Barrel Company and give two of its four core offerings a try: the small batch bourbon and rye. Oh, also, for those who are detail-oriented, like me, the labels between the bourbon and rye do not differ much, so pay attention to the color of the roofs on the lighthouses and the font color of the proof (red for bourbon, green for rye), and, of course, the word bourbon or rye after small batch at the bottom. Okay. Onward!
New England Barrel Company Small Batch Bourbon
Company on Label: New England Barrel Company
Whiskey Type: Straight bourbon whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: A blend of two mash bills: 75% corn, 21% rye, and 10% barley plus 63% corn, 27% rye, and 10% barley
Proof: 100°
Age: 3 years
MSRP: $36.99 (2025)
Further Identification: From conversations with the founder, James, he informed me this batch is partially sourced from Green River Distilling, formerly the OZ Tyler Distillery out of Owensboro, KY
Tasting notes
Nose: What you expect from bourbon right out of the glass. Vanilla and caramel forward,, a kiss of cherry cordial syrup and a hint of cracked black pepper. These aromas have good volume, with deep inhales that produce richer vanilla tones, soft oak spices, and a touch of green tea. I find myself leaning back with a faint smile on my lips. As I sit with my glass, the aromas evolve into a deeper version of themselves. They are well-balanced and very lovely to share my time with. Speaking of time, it's time to sip! Returning to the glass after a few tastes has focused in on the aromas. The vanilla, caramel, and sweet cherry notes I found initially seem to have filled into the very edges of their capacity. It's well balanced, even as the liquid grows low. Creamy crème brûlée pops up with a few late-in-the-glass swirls; I also find a gentle whiff of molasses for a curtain call of aromas that totally makes sense. The empty glass smells of hot chocolate, graham crackers, and orange peels.
Palate: Hello, vanilla hard candies; you are sweet on my tongue with a silky caramel creaminess I will never turn down. Like the nose, the palate is classic, with a lovely sprinkling of cinnamon mid-palate, integrating well with the previous flavors. It's a sip that could be Times New Roman if it were a font, sturdy and dependable; there are no frills here, but a solid go-to daily sipper. The finish is medium in length, sticks to your gums, and offers the most barrel influence on the palate, reminding me of the wooden floorboards of a porch during a winter thaw. Additional sips validate the balance in this bottle. Caramel, vanilla, and cinnamon mingle at a family party; they know each other well. No weirdness, just familiarity. As the liquid grows low, unique characteristics amplify, a bit drying on the tongue but distinctly earthy with a kiss of vanilla chamomile tea.
TL;DR: a sit back and relax kind of bourbon, this is an old soul sip
New England Barrel Company Small Batch Rye
Company on Label: New England Barrel Company
Whiskey Type: Straight rye whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: 95% rye, 5% malted barley
Proof: 100°
Age: 3 years
MSRP: $36.99 (2025)
Further Identification: This batch of rye whiskey is entirely sourced from MGP
Tasting notes
Nose: As I lift the glass to my nose, I am met with what I expect from a rye, lemon, young pine trees, and baking spices. There's a warmness to this nose, like baking lemon drop cookies. A hint of bubble gum can be found, too. It's sweet forward with deeper inhales, reminding me of multi-color sprinkles tumbling out of their plastic tube. With a few swirls, the earthiness I adore on rye reveals more of itself: pine needles, clove, ginger, and a kiss of ground mustard all mark themselves as present as I move in for a sip. Returning to the glass, I find freshly baked dark rye bread, a steamy cup of chai latte, and a more pronounced bubble gum note. The empty glencairn smells of dried roses and the slightest puff of smoke from the hearth of a barbeque restaurant.
Palate: Oh, so creamy! I find lemon buttercream frosting, shimmering baking spices, buttery pie crust, and lightly toasted meringue. There's a kiss of savoriness, too, reminding me of dipping a torn-off piece of Bavarian pretzel into a side of ground mustard. The flavors aren't super in your face, not a powerhouse of spice one may be wary of with ryes, this is creamy and gentle. With additional sips, the flavors turn more herbal, mint tea specifically, and the finish leans into the bubble gum note I found on the nose, with a ginger and clove linger. I'm impressed with the mouthfeel; from beginning to end, my tongue remains coated in a creaminess that can be hard to find on a 100 proof whiskey.
TL;DR: well-balanced flavors will keep your attention with this classic rye profile
I think it's safe to say these two offerings from New England Barrel Company are all about achieving the classic flavor profiles found in bourbon and rye. With a reasonable price point that won't break the bank, these blends are here to prove age is just a number and quality doesn't equal exorbitant prices. If you've been hunting for whiskey that tastes great and keeps a few bucks in your wallet, keep an eye out for this brand!
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