Barrell Bourbon Private Release D01K

So I was browsing at TW, as I do, and this caught my eye after reading about @dubz480 charity bottle. I asked the manager what she thought of it. After several minutes of discussion a puzzled look came across her face, and then a smile. Before I knew it I was sitting in the back with another employee and whiskey appreciator cutting the seal from a bottle from the shelf... I either need to shop at TW way more or way less at this point. This is Barrell’s BA1C bottle, blended with 45% 5 year 25% 10 year 25% 14 year and 5% 16 year bourbons. I felt like Bardstown Bourbon Co tries this with their Fusion series - the young and old blends - but the flavors never quite meet in the middle. Tasting notes on this read a “fresh corn-forward sweetness.” It is that and then some... This, even from a small plastic thimble of a cup, had loads of orchard fruit and corn-sweetness coming from it. Hot and vibrant on the first sip the front palate got all of the orange, cherry and vanilla notes and the sides the wood spices. The finish really brought out the aged barre notes. The mouthfeel is oily and the heat is present, but adds to the experience. The balance between the young, sweet notes and aged wood notes leans toward the sweet (think Makers FAE-01 if you’ve tried it, or a good Russel’s Reserve) but the wood and spice are dialed in exquisitely. I was hesitant to pay $99 for this but I was sold at first sip. My bottle is bunkered for now while I go through a few other Barrell offerings but these folks could give the blenders at Johnny Walker an (expensive and varied) run for their money IMO.

Bull City Bourbon Club pick, "Peach Cobbler" Batch No. D33i Microblend of 40% 5-year, 35% 7-year, 20% 10-year, and 5% 17-year 58.07% abv; 116.14 proof Open 2 months Nose - Ripe peach, apricot, red plum, pie crust, Apple Jacks, cinnamon bun, clove, light black pepper, light oak, and medium ethanol. Palate - Peach cobbler (yes, it tastes exactly as the name), spiced apples, honey, cinnamon, and butterscotch. Finish is medium-long with overripe peaches, black pepper, allspice, cinnamon, white sugar, and medium ethanol bite. This is the first of 3 picks our club released this summer from Barrell, and is probably my favorite overall. Initially it was a little chalky when first cracked, but it opened up beautifully. It smells and tastes exactly like the name, with maybe a little apple and apricot thrown into the mix. It drinks sweet and lower than its proof, and is one of the best sipping cask strength bourbons I've had in a while. For reference, this microblend is mostly MGP with some Dickel and KY bourbon. Although this shares classic characteristics of MGP bourbon, it features more unique sugar and fruit notes than what you'll find in George Remus or other NDPs. The sticker price for Barrell is tough to swallow, but based on the four picks I've bought this year (one from Davidson County and three from BCBC) they release excellent products that live up to the cost. I've had a bunch of $50-70 sourced bourbon and rye, they're not always winners. Sometimes it's nice to pay a little more and buy a sure thing.

The one that I tried was a store-picked, blend B25A, from 925liquours in MD. On the nose, this gives me notes of nuts, like almond dust, and pecan, with a little mint in the background, so lightly; also licorice... not sure that the Rye % is, but these are the notes that I normally get with rye. This bottle comes at 56.08%, so this is not super hot, but it's definitely a little warm. With a little ice, I think this will shine. I like the nutty flavors, which I get on other Barrell bourbon bottles.

On the nose, nice apple and some definite sweet notes but not in the classic bourbon sense. Fruit is the dominate note Taste that apple really comes through. Light on the palate from a texture standpoint but not in a thin way. A bit one note with the fruit and not what I would call classic caramel vanilla on the taste. Definite tingly notes on the palate. Longish finish and warming . Not strong on the ethanol but just a tinge but can’t fault as it is higher proof.

Awesome awesome pour. I got talked in to buying this total pick and we’ll worth it. Spicy caramel on the nose. Slight vanilla oaky leather with a hint of dark cherry. Awesome on the pallet oaky caramel with some vanilla that really sneaks up. Leathery which must be the 14+ year blend. Nice long finish.

Mine was barrel 045 and A32C 35% 5yr, 30% 9yr, 25% 13yr, 10% 15yr. 114.3 proof. Solid bourbon. Salty caramel, vanilla, baking spices. Moderately full mouth feel with a very long spicy hot finish but it isn’t hot up front considering the proof. I would guess higher rye mash as well.