Distillery: Sourced from multiple distilleries
Proof: 115.34
Age: Blend of 5, 6, 7, 8, & 14 Years Old
Mashbill: Undisclosed
BACKGROUND: Barrell Craft Spirits is a whiskey company that started in 2012. They source and blend all of their whiskey instead of distilling their own whiskey and they are very transparent about it. Barrell Craft Spirits continues to expand their offerings with bourbon, rye, and other types of whiskey including unique blends and finished whiskey. They gained an immense amount of fame from their batch 009 and most recently, their batch 21 earned double gold in 2020. They offer bourbon, rye, and American whiskey.
Every autumn, Barrell Craft Spirits creates a special blend of bourbons as a toast to the year to come. After starting this New Year Bourbon in 2017 this is their 6th installment and is a blend of TN, IN, KY, OH, WY, NY, and TX bourbon whiskey ranging in ages from 5-14 years old.
NOSE: Sweet and floral scents of raw sugarcane, vanilla, orange zest, rose water, and herbal tea wafted up from the glass. The proof doesn't burn at all but adds a fullness to the nose while highlighting scents of younger oak and oak sugars. (21/25)
PALATE: A very unique flavor profile as notes of green apple, wood chips, sharp rye spice, cracked pepper, and raw cacao welcome you upon first sip. Upon second sip there are notes of roasted nuts like almonds, chestnuts, or hazelnuts along with freshly baked banana bread along with feint hints of cinnamon. The proof adds a fullness and chewiness to the mouthfeel supporting the dark and somewhat bitter flavor profile. (34/40)
FINISH: The finish is much lighter than anticipated with traces of vanilla, honey, oak, and rye spice. The spice and slight bite from the proof linger for quite a while. (21/25)
VALUE: As is with most Barrell Craft Spirits whiskey, this carries a $90 which is somewhat high but given the unique flavor profile and higher aged blend. (6/10)
Overall: 82/100
FINAL THOUGHTS: Barrell Craft Spirit's 2022 New Year Bourbon is a delightful holiday treat and an excellent holiday gift for the whiskey lover in your life. With the high proof, darker flavor profile, and smoothness this could be enjoyed by one and all! Happy Holidays y'all!
Similar & Slightly Better Whiskey: 1792 Full Proof
Similar & Equal Whiskey: Blue Grass Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon
Similar & Slightly Worse Whiskey: Horse Soldier Reserve Cask Strength
Tell us what you think and give us some feedback!
Scoring Legend:
96-100: The perfect dram, juice of the gods
90-95: Near perfect, truly incredible whiskey
85-89: Amazing whiskey, will always try to keep a backup bottle of this
80-84: Very good, some minor flaws here or there
75-79: Good, quite enjoyable to drink, Will try and keep a bottle on the shelf
70-74: Solid, wouldn’t go out of my way to get this
60-69: Decent, would offer this up to non whiskey drinkers
50-59: Not my cup of tea
Below 50: Give away
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