Barrell Bourbon Batch 023

Neat. Neck pour. Been a long time since I had Barrell. I think it was batch 9, which I was not impressed with at the time. I can have a hard time with Dickel. The nose is very appealing on first impression. Deep butterscotch, hint of toffee, brown sugar and cinnamon, a bit of Dickel funk, charred caramel. Geez, it’s even giving me some hints I associate with Four Roses. Oak is presence but the age of these barrels isn’t coming as forward as I expected. Nice creamy texture but it’s also light and fluffy on the tongue. Brown sugar and cinnamon up front. Transitions into the Dickel fun but these the caramels, butterscotch and toffee comes punching. Butterscotch for days on the legs. The Dickel funk is still a turn off for me, but this blend does a good job keeping things interesting. The other barrels in this blend are adding a ton of flavor and compliment/ overcome the Dickel to keep it enjoyable.

I’m drunk and also on some Colorado products, but this is great. Oak and cereal/oatmeal come out on palate, but this is maple syrup with some cherry on the nose. Great bourbon. I use the rating scale below. Distiller uses a scale of 5 and I use a scale of 10, but I’m sure you’re not too drunk to do the math! 1. Disgusting - So bad I poured it out. 2. Poor - I wouldn't consume by choice. 3. Bad - Multiple flaws. 4. Below average - Not bad, but many things I'd rather have. 5. Good - Just average. 6. Very Good - Better than average. 7. Great - Well above average. 8. Excellent - In a league of its own. 9. Incredible - An all-time favorite. 10. Perfect

Batch 023 is a hybrid of Batches 014 & 018 as I taste 014 and 023 side-by-side tonight. 023 has the quintessential Bourbon notes of 014 minus the vitamin note, with a nice dose of spice reminiscent of 018, but without the overt desert-like cinnamon bomb profile that made 018 notable. Overall, I prefer 023 narrowly over 014, and much more over 018, with Batch 017 in a photo finish with 023. Barrell is a premium Bourbon at a premium price, but it’s just so damn good. I’ll take one Barrell product over 2 mid-priced Bourbons anytime.

It's all there in the nose. Vanilla, caramel, dry oak, butterscotch and spice. Hints of eucalyptus and cedar. soft mouthfeel, but tons of heat on the back end. Plenty of chocolate and vanilla left on the finish, and the heat comes from both the alcohol and the barrel. Very long finish, dominated mostly by the barrel. Super complex and really hot. VERY dry finish. Hints of clove stick around Tried this again in August 2020... Upping the rating

Enjoying the heck out of this. Aroma is heavy, bold and complex with nicely layered sweet and rustic notes; Palate is a wacky combo of elegant dessert and more rustic profiles that work very well together in a way that’s making me gravitate to this bottle a tad more than everything else on my shelf; Finish bundles the best and sends you home feeling wonderful.

Tonight, I get the pleasure of enjoying some Batch 23 Barrel bourbon. It's a blend of 10,12 and 15 year bourbons. It has a pleasant initial burn, with a nutty and buttery flavor. It ends with a subtle fruit jam note and a creamy caramel blend. I like this one a good deal too. Total Wine has it in stock.