Barrell Bourbon Batch 025

Neat. Sample. I haven’t been in love with the Barrell Bourbon batches I have had thus far. Usually the Dickel just holds back the blend for me. Missed out of Batch 21 people raves about. I believe I had batch 23 or 24 recently, which was just okay. This has some younger whiskey in the blend and apparently a wheater. Interesting. Dickel forward. Always a bummer for me. I am not just hating on Dickel. Dickel 11 BiB is great. But that mineral, flinstone vitamin off is just a turn off on most occasions. Trying to get around the Dickel, there is some nice caramel and leather. Hint of cherry. Vanilla cream. Peanut brittle. It’s okay. Creamy mouth feel, oh that is a lot of flavor just on the tongue. Cherry cola. Oh okay, this has more going on than the nose let on. Geez. If you have ever gone to Frisches Big Boy, they will let you add flavors to a Coke. This is like adding the vanilla, chocolate, and cherry to the Coke all at the same time. The chocolate really takes over by the finish and even leaves this Tootsie Roll like aftertaste. While the Dickel dominated the nose, it’s blended well in the taste and I think that nice chocolate note is coming from the Dickel too. Okay, this is the best Barrell I have had yet. I think this is my fourth batch. It’s not good enough that I will be buying a bottle of this, one and done is fine for me. Fun adventure, but not worth $80 to go on this ride again. It does lessen my disappointment in Barrell Bourbon as a brand, so that is a win.

This just leap-frogged Batch 021 as my favorite Barrell Bourbon, and it's in my top 10 overall. I will admit I am predisposed to wheated bourbons. I don't have a palette that picks up whisps or sousants. I taste in shapes, and this is like getting hit by the broad side of a triangle, with a bomb of peanut brittle, backed up by butterscotch and caramel, trailed by vanilla, then decreasing amounts of fruity and flowery, finishing with a small (but fighting above its weight class) amount of spice. I've now gathered up 6 bottles of this nectar. I really hope people keep sleeping on Barrell and can't wait to see what's next.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Caramel and maple syrup. Palate: Cinnamon and baking spice, with a touch of oak and more maple syrup as the stronger flavors fade. Finish: Long and warm, with a sweet clove note. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 9/10 - I 've had this bottle for a while but hadn't opened it until now. The maple syrup notes are subtle and yet hard to miss. Barrell doesn't disappoint.

If you like licorice, this will be your favorite of all time. Barrell is on top of the game right now. I will admit, I personally like the Infinite bottle better, but you can’t go wrong so far with any Barrell product. A bit pricy yes, but definitely a unique experience so far in each bottle I have tried. My favorite distiller at this time. Can’t wait to try others, just picked up a bottle of dovetail and that will be next.

Very nice. Not quite as complex or contemplative as I was hoping. Flavors were all great, but not quite as many notes as I was expecting. Very easy to drink. Could tell that there was wheat and rye, but not able to pick out individual flavors too much. May have to revisit and edit. Not upset about the purchase, but not racing to buy a backup bottle either.

Maybe the best smelling bourbon I’ve ever had. Non dark fruit forward on the nose. Taste is similar. One of the least Caramel flavored bourbons I’ve ever had. Finish doesn’t quite follow the palate. Excellent however. Extra .25 points due to uniqueness of flavors.