Classification: Blend of Straight Bourbons
Company: Barrell Craft Spirits
Distillery: Sourced (Undisclosed distilleries in Tennessee and Kentucky)
Proof: 106.7
Age: 10 Years (Blend of 10 to 14 year old barrels)
Mashbill: Undisclosed (Includes corn, rye, and malted barley)
MSRP: $90 (2019)
Classification: Blend of Straight Bourbons
Company: Barrell Craft Spirits
Distillery: Sourced (Undisclosed distilleries in Tennessee, Indiana, and Kentucky)
Proof: 106.34
Age: 10 Years (Blend of 10 to 14 year old barrels)
Mashbill: Undisclosed (Includes corn, rye, and malted barley)
MSRP: $90 (2019)
Classification: Blend of Straight Bourbons
Company: Barrell Craft Spirits
Distillery: Sourced (Undisclosed distilleries in Kentucky and Indiana)
Proof: 116.6
Age: 5 Years
Mashbill: Undisclosed (Includes corn, rye, and malted barley)
MSRP: $90 (2019)
Batches 020, 021, and 022 are the latest in Barrell Craft Spirits’ Barrell Bourbon line, where each batch is unique and released at barrel proof. All three batches employ a different combination of source distillery from different states. Batches 020 and 021 are both a blend of 10 to 14 year bourbons, while Batch 022 clocks in at only 5 years old.
Nose: Corn, light oak, toasted marshmallow, molasses, marzipan, dab of ethanol
Palate: Rye spice, light sweet caramel, white pepper, green apple, corn, fresh oak
Finish: Rye grain, pepper, oak, lingering heat
Nose: Heavy brown sugar, vanilla, fresh baked pastries, hint of oak, dab of ethanol
Palate: Cinnamon spice, oak, pepper, a touch of green apple
Finish: Cinnamon, leather, oak, rye spice, long lasting heat
Nose: Vanilla, oak, brown sugar, cinnamon bark, fresh baked pie, wallop of ethanol
Palate: Cinnamon apples, big baking spice, white pepper, and vanilla
Finish: Cinnamon, baked apples, peppery spice, touch of leather, heavy long lasting heat
All three Batches are quintessential Barrell Bourbon offerings, with each bringing a high proof pour with depth found in each sip. I find it interesting that while Batch 020 and 021 share the same age range, how different their flavor profiles are, which can most likely be attributed to the inclusion of Indiana sourced bourbon in Batch 021. In addition, for being so much younger than the other two in comparison, Batch 022 is able to keep up with its older siblings really well, delivering a high proof pour with lots of heat. While all three are great offerings, Batch 021 is the standout of the three, delivering a solid classic bourbon flavor profile that makes it well worth seeking out a bottle.
The samples used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Barrell Craft Spirits. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review them with no strings attached.