Barrell Foundation Bourbon

I've had several Barrell Products now. They're all well reviewed. Afficionados seems to love them, and I've enjoyed them, but they're overrated. Yes, I said it. O VER RA TED. I always feel the need to explain when I use that word that overrated does not mean bad. They're not synonyms. Overrated means people are saying it's better than it actually is. I've read 5-10 reviews that are glowing of Barrell Foundation, and again, it's not bad, but I got it for $50 on sale, $5 off, and it's not worth that price. With Knob Creek 9 on the market for around $40, with Dickel BiB around for $44, with 1792 BiB around for $40, these are all at the same proof, all more aged, and all, frankly, more dynamic, I see no need being filled by a $55 Barrell 5-Year. That said, it's not bad, but if they could price it $15 less, I might be more inclined to buy. Truth told, it's unique from what I've mentioned above. Dickel BiB is chocolate cherry. 1792 is vanilla, nuts and spice. This one is fruity in an orchard fruit type way. Pear, apple. You do get caramel and vanilla, which runs along many bourbons. There's a sweetness here that transcends the sweetness of those others, which if you're into that is great. But honestly, Old Tub, well, while I can't say it's better it's also only $20-$25. I guess what I'm saying is that the aroma and taste of Barrell Foundation is just not unique enough to justify the cost. That's the main drawback here. Why am I paying this much for a 100 proof whiskey that doesn't stand out from other 100 proof whiskies that are cheaper? I don't know. Can you tell me?

Aroma- lots of brown sugar and bubblegum up front.. there’s a nice rye profile here in the form of baking spices that bring a very nice balance to the sweetness. Getting a light touch of bay leaf and even slight tobacco Taste - Bazooka Joe bubble gum…That is wild. I’ve experienced bubblegum before on some ryes but the back of the palate and all throughout the finish is just and awesome amount of bubble gum notes. Front of the palate is your typical notes of vanilla and oak. There’s a slight tropical fruit note here (maybe apricot) and a very light citrus (orange creamsicle) Overall - Probably the most flavorful 100 proof whiskey I’ve ever had to be honest. Drinks a little hotter than 100 proof too (which may deter some). For the price of $50-$55 at 100 proof, this is a 5.0 for me. Again, I’m keeping this in perspective for what it is. I recently bought KC 18 year that sits at 100 proof and priced at $180 or something stupid.. and yet I would prefer this.. It’s more complex and has a longer finish. Viscosity is awesome for 100 proof too. 
***Would love to blind this against Rock Hill Farms****

Nose is pretty bright and brassy with peach, pine, citrus zest, cedar, white pepper, honey, vanilla icing, and gingerbread. Slight vitamin/mineral aroma. Unconventional. Ethanol continuously bothersome, showing some youth. Palate brings forth much from the nose, particularly the gingerbread, vanilla icing, and peach notes, along with toffee, cotton candy, rye spice, nutmeg, praline, and green apple. MGP-like in profile. The cedar/pine becomes a more pronounced oak. Quite well balanced but lacing in complexity. Finish turns spicy and dry with black peppercorn, leather, cinnamon, oak, clove, and tea leaf. Definitely has a bit of a bite to it. There’s a hint of a mineral note (I see you, Dickel!) but it’s actually enjoyable. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, and walks the line between creamy and grainy, managing to be neither. A bit of a hard one to rate as where there is quality here, I just favor a bit more of a darker profile. At $50 this could certainly be someone’s mid-tier whiskey rebuy, just not mine.

It is an elegant, Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys by Barrell Craft Spirits’ inaugural non-cask strength bourbon, crafted from Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Maryland distilleries with 23% rye, with ages ranging from five to nine years before being bottled at 100-proof. It has a rich & aromatic birth with notes of grains, wood, fruits, flowers, nuts, herbs & spices; while a full & creamy life adds notes of honey, brown butter, grilled cantaloupe & peaches, dark cherry, candied strawberry, maple pecans, tiramisu, lavender, fennel & lemongrass; that led to a rich & oily death of medium length with notes of lemon & lime zest, oak, cardamom cakes, cocoa, dark chocolate, cinnamon, hazelnut, toffee, bananas foster, orange sherbet & vanilla pudding.

NEAT NOSE - Citrus undertones with alot of Caramel and Honey. There is also a soft hint of oak on the nose. PALATE - Smooth mouthfeel. Rich and Bold. Caramel is the most dominant note supported by honey. The oak is soft and pleasant, but bold because it is present throughout. There’s definitely more going on here, but I’m not picking up on all of it. In regard to the citrus, sometimes I get peach and sometimes I get lemon on the palate. FINISH - Smooth, easy, and lingers for a decent amount of time. I’d say around medium in length. BUY? - YES! BUY AGAIN?? - Yes! This is one of the best bottles I’ve ever bought for the price. I think MSRP is $60, but I got my bottle for $50.

Before opening I was thinking, this is just a mixer, why write a review? Well, I should not have underestimated Barrell. This is quite a whiskey! I won’t wax poetic, because these are neck pours, but… The nose is light, fruity and nutty. Its slick, semi sweet and a little creamy on the palate with baking spices, dried fruits, nuts and honey. The finish lasts! With the same baking spices, honey, dried fruits and nuts notes.