Barrell Bourbon Batch 24

Batch 24 of Barrell's Bourbon series is a blend of straight Bourbon whiskies distilled across Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana.

This batch uses bourbons that were nine, 10, 13, and 15-years-old. Bottled at 113.9 proof, 56.95%, there were 8,950 bottles in the run.

One of the gentler batches on the nose, the power comes through on the palate with complex spices and cola.

Nose: Opens with vernal florals: apple blossom, blonde tobacco, and spruce tip. These lead naturally into estival fruits: green banana, ripe pear, lychee, and cherry. Prickly autumnal mulling spices and wintergreen lend complexity, as a sweet, wintery foundation is laid by pumpkin pie and coffee ice cream.

Palate: Chocolate ganache is balanced by tart white grapefruit orange bitters, mineral slate and salt, and savory dried porcini mushrooms, with a huge breadth of flavor. It’s notably spicy, showcasing ginger, cardamom, and black pepper. Cola is present with notes of rosemary, leather, and oak. Sandy tannin and heat keep the relatively sweet palate in check.

Finish: Creamy and sweet, maple cheesecake and hefeweizen start off. While gentler than the rollercoaster of a palate, there’s still plenty of complexity provided by cherry cordial, Aperol, and clove. It fades on red pepper flake and table salt.​

Cheers, and enjoy this whiskey!