Barrell Rye Batch 003

Enjoying the last pour from my bottle of Barrell Rye Batch 003 that I purchased early this fall. I definitely enjoyed every pour from this bottle as it is a very high-quality dram as are most of the Barrell bourbon and rye products that I have enjoyed. I find it similar to Pikesville Rye in that it has all the characteristics of a high Rye Bourbon rather than a classic Rye. Would I buy another bottle? Probably not, as I prefer something like the Willett 4-year Family Estate Rye much more than the Barrell when I’m wanting a quality glass of Rye whiskey, not to mention that I’m saving about 30 bucks or so by passing on the Barrell. My Barrell Rye future purchases will be focused on the single barrel store picks which are absolutely fantastic.

Part of a Barrell virtual tasting event that provided free 2 oz samples for NCWH Nose - Citrus rind, limoncello, rye spice, grass and grain, butterscotch, medium ethanol. Palate - Sweet citrus and caramel drizzle, grain, corn dust, shiny rye. Medium-long finish, mouthcoating, loads of citrus and rye spices, tannic oak on the back end. Fantastic rye, obviously pricey but its amongst the best I've had. Glad it was a free sample!

N- tangerines, almond extract and a hint of chocolate. pleasant T- punchy but well balanced. Wintergreen freshness, vanilla shortbread and a bit more citrus. Loads of rye spice and cinnamon candies on the backend F-spicy with a vanilla oak astringency In your face in a polite and balanced way. Proof gives a range of flavors to sift through. Really enjoyable!

Aroma has a delicate-dessert-meets-heavy-rustic-spice profile that’s fun and interesting but doesn’t quite cross into WTF territory – it could use more dark and oaky notes to balance out the lighter fruit notes; Palate gets a bit oakier and some bigger caramel and herbally spicy notes arrive as it opens; Finish is a long sweet fade sprinkled with oak.

Aroma - oak and vanilla… rye spice… slight cinnamon and brown sugar . .. nothing really jumps out… just well balanced Taste- well. It’s freaking awesome. Rye spice, red hots, winter green, butterscotch…some citrus. The complexity is awesome but the balance is what really shines. Well worth the price of admission.

Barrell Rye Batch 3 Cask Strength Nose: Oak, Bubble Gum, Light Spices Taste: Red hots, Orange Brandy, Oak Finish: Orange Brandy and Red Hots come back around and fade nicely. A bit spicier than I tend to like things, but it balances very well with the other flavors.