One other yr down means one other Barrell New Yr batch to assist us have fun. Or neglect. Often, a little bit of each. Barrell continues its everything-but-the-kitchen-sink strategy to this specialty mix, adhering intently to the 2023 playbook with a cornucopia of bourbons distilled in eight completely different states and spanning 5 to fifteen years outdated. Whereas the bourbons all seem like distilled from the identical locales as final yr, that age vary has crept up owing to the inclusion (presumably minimal) of 11-year-old Wyoming whiskey and 15-year-old Tennessee whiskey. The ensuing mashbill is reportedly a four-grain recipe of 72% corn, 22% rye, 5% malted barley, and 1% wheat. Let’s test it out.
The aroma opens with notes of chewy caramel, butterscotch, and baking spice with subtler undertones of sweet apple and darkish cherry. It’s a considerably traditional bouquet for a launch that may typically be an aroma curler coaster. Notes of outdated oak and damp basement creep in because it opens within the glass, including spectacular depth and hinting on the older inventory within the combine (which can be extra plentiful than I initially assumed). The palate is wealthy and stylish with a wholesome, persistent spice throughout the sip and a hugging heat. Notes of darkish brown sugar, toffee, and pie spice give solution to buttery brioche and orange sherbet, all woven along with peppery, seasoned oak. The end is lengthy and simmering, dusted in cinnamon sugar with notes of butterscotch candies, lemon drops, and buttercream. The perfect New Yr launch but. Let’s hope it’s omen for 2024, in any other case I’m going to wish much more of those.
113 proof.
A / $90 / barrellbourbon.com
Barrell Bourbon New Yr 2024
$90
