Chocolate wafer | Churro | Saltwater taffy | Raspberry danish | Light brown sugar | Soft & subtle

Deep-fried Oreo | Sugar cookie | Cinnamon Toast Crunch | Dried apricot | Almond

Rush of cinnamon | Maple pecan pie | Robust toasted oak | Nutmeg | Lingering cinnamon spice

Dragon’s Milk Origin Toasted Barrel series continues to be highly anticipated among bourbon drinkers in the know, with bottles released at New Holland Brewing Company’s Michigan locations followed by limited online sales as well. This is the second drop of the year, with batch designations of 2026E, 2026F, and 2026G. While the other two fall 2026 releases were finished in extra secondary barrels, 2026G was finished only in toasted barrels.

The bourbon’s aroma opens softer and subtler than many previous releases. Light, crisp chocolate wafer starts the sip in a welcoming way. Sugary churros against saltwater taffy add dimension, and a delicious raspberry danish pop adds contrast. The palate dishes up a first for the brand: deep-fried Oreo. This adds an almost gooey chocolate cake taste, with a touch of fried dough in the mix. Light sugar cookie follows, transitioning to Cinnamon Toast Crunch sweetness, dried apricot, and light almond. The finish begins with a rush of cinnamon, more potent than in previous releases. Maple pecan follows along with robust toasted oak against nutmeg and lingering spicy cinnamon.

Although toasted oak is prominent in “The Weekend Retreat,” it at times takes a back seat to some of the bourbon’s other flavors. That’s not a bad thing, as this release brings new flavors to the brand’s traditional sip. Raspberry danish, deep-fried Oreo, and robust cinnamon are the stars here and play well together. It’s once again a full-flavored sip, with a proof point that serves it well. There’s good balance overall, but just enough peaks and valleys as the sip progresses to keep things interesting.