The past few weeks there have been lots of speculation about non distilling producers, or known as NDPs, being able to survive. The market has shifted and there are images of sourced brands that have prices slashed on shelves along with others having their facilities up for sale. This makes us wonder what is in store for the remainder of the year. We talk about what makes NDPs special and how every big distillery was also a NDP at one point as well. There’s also a message coming directly from Barrell Bourbon about their current listings.
Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about hot sauce and bourbon.
Seagrass, Dovetail, Vantage, these are all names that we immediately associate to Barrell Bourbon. I’m excited to bring back two guests on the show, Joe Beatrice and Tripp Stimson, to talk about hitting their 10 year anniversary. Joe and Tripp reflect on their early vision for the company and how it’s evolved from figuring out budgets and spending, learning from early batches, and how their decision to not follow the bourbon playbook of building a brand has been a success for them. We talk about expanding their facilities with a new rickhouse, reading consumer habits and trends, where the company will be next, and even Amburana. It’s a fascinating look at the past decade and future vision of this fast-growing brand.
Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about the difference between sourcing and contract distilling?
10 years ago, what was your vision for the company and how has that changed?
What was your budget and figuring out where to spend the money?
What the early feedback with those initial pitches and sourcing?
Has the consumer switched from chasing states to chasing flavor?
Did anyone tell you that going with cask strength was a bad idea?
What have you learned from Batch 001 and do you feel the product has gotten better over time?
How do you look at consumer habits and plan accordingly?
Why did you come up with the derived mash bill?
What is it about Amburana that you like or that can benefit in your blends?
What are your new facilities like?
Talk about the Yellowstone rickhouse you purchased?
What does the next 10 years look like for you all?
Do you feel like like your model is a hard target for an acquisition?
I look forward to releases from Barrell because they rarely disappoint and, spoiler, this Barrell Bourbon Batch 032 carries on that trend. A blend of straight bourbons from Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana aged 5, 6, 7, and 10 years it’s basically a blend of the powerhouse whiskey-making states. Maybe that could be the next LE […]
I look forward to releases from Barrell because they rarely disappoint and, spoiler, this Barrell Bourbon Batch 032 carries on that trend. A blend of straight bourbons from Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana aged 5, 6, 7, and 10 years it’s basically a blend of the powerhouse whiskey-making states.
Maybe that could be the next LE they do? Dovetail, Seagrass and Powerhouse. A 10+ yo blend of the best whiskeys from KY, IN and TN. If you see it come up in the future, you know where they got the idea. But here in the present, we’re talking about Batch 032 so let’s get to drinkin’!
Barrell Bourbon Batch 032 – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Style: Bourbon (blend of Straight) Region: USA (TN, KY, IN) Distiller: Undisclosed (Various) Blender/Bottler: Barrell Craft Spirits
Mash Bill: At least 51% Corn + Rye + Malted Barley Cask: New Charred Oak Age: 5+ Years (5, 6, 7, 10) ABV: 57.67%
“Focused squarely on fresh oak and grassy spirit, the aroma calls to mind chopping wood in the yard on a late summer’s morning. The palate is a similarly simple pleasure until a splash of water opens it up to reveal a massively textured whiskey: rich, and oily, it’s a trait that’s often described as “Kentucky chew.”” – Barrell Bourbon
Barrell Bourbon Batch 032 Tasting Notes
EYE
Mahogany
NOSE
Oak, dried dark fruit, toffee, baking spice, bran muffins and a touch biscuity with some vanilla frosting.
The oak sits heavy but balanced by the dark sweet notes that glide through.
PALATE
OAK, dried dark fruit, roasted corn, nuts, baking spice, red and black licorice with a bit of bran muffin and waxy vanilla.
This is a heavy brooding whiskey with a TON of grain presence. Wow.
FINISH
Long -> Spice, oak, dried dark fruit and waxy vanilla taffy.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Well-balanced, full-bodied, and a heavy feel that’s a touch drying.
Barrell Bourbon Batch 032 – Overall Thoughts and Score
There’s a rich grain presence in this bourbon I haven’t encountered in quite a while. Something about this blend is triggering memories of early High West Prairie where it sometimes had an underlying roasted/toasted grain note. Weird I know, but it’s good.
Oak is heavy as usual, and there are the usual bourbon notes, but those grain notes are what keep bringing me back to explore more. I’m VERY excited to test out some cocktails with this Barrell Bourbon Batch 032.
*Disclosure: The bottle for this bourbon review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
It’s only been in the past 10 years that we have seen bourbon go through true innovation. Barrel finishes and blending different distillates weren’t as common as they are now. Barrell Craft Spirits has been a pioneer in this space. In this episode we’re joined by Will Schragis the Chief Product Innovation Officer for Barrel Craft Sprits. Will has been around since the beginning of Barrell and he tells how they approach innovating new products and the stories behind some of their most highly acclaimed and in-demand product extensions like Dovetail and Seagrass.
Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about blending subpar whiskey
What were the early days like trying to establish the Barrell Bourbon brand?
How do you deal with UPC code sprawl?
What challenges do you experience with this business model of doing so many unique things?
How do you scale Seagrass from a finishing standpoint?
How do you determine what factors go into process innovation?
Does constant customer education play a role with innovation?
How can American whiskey move beyond blend being a dirty word?
How can you be transparent when barrels need to be reconditioned?
Do the micro-blends serve as a training ground for new products?
Why has there not been a specifically toasted product yet?
Can you explain why $500 gold label demanded the price?
Was Stellum a way to introduce a lower price tag into the line?
I enjoyed the 2021, so I’m looking forward to the Barrell Bourbon New Year 2022, the yearly release from Barrell to celebrate the end of one year and usher in the next. Last year I sipped on the 2021 as the clock marched towards midnight on NYE; it felt appropriate to be kicking 2019 to […]
I enjoyed the 2021, so I’m looking forward to the Barrell Bourbon New Year 2022, the yearly release from Barrell to celebrate the end of one year and usher in the next. Last year I sipped on the 2021 as the clock marched towards midnight on NYE; it felt appropriate to be kicking 2019 to the curb with something cask strength.
Like each batch of Barrell Bourbon, each of their New Year releases is different and unique. Looking at the states used last year vs the 2022 I see they removed the whiskeys from KY and CO and added in something from OH. Depending on the sources and the percentage of the blend they represent this could be a significant or a trivial change. And there’s only one way to find out.
Let’s get to drinkin’ and dive into this whiskey review.
Barrell Bourbon New Year 2022 – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Style: Blend of Straight Whiskeys (Bourbon) Region: USA (TN, IN, OH, WY, NY, TX)
Distiller: Various (Dickel, MGP, Wyoming Whiskey likely) Mash Bill: At least 51% Corn + Rye + Wheat + Malted Barley Cask: New Charred Oak Age: NAS (blend of 5, 6, 7, 9, 14 yo bourbon) ABV: 57.67%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
“Every autumn, we create a very special blend of bourbons as a toast to the year to come. Barrell New Year Bourbon 2022 is a tribute to the fresh possibilities and sense of renewal that every new year brings.” – Barrell Craft Spirits
Barrell Bourbon New Year 2022 Tasting Notes
EYE
Caramel
NOSE
Piney herbal spice, dark sweets, oak, dried dark and orchard fruits, roasted corn and vanilla with slight metallic and banana notes.
Easy, balanced and enjoyable. Not a bad start.
PALATE
Piney herbal spice, woody oak, butterscotch, blackberry taffy, roasted corn, vanilla, dried apples and a lemony citrus pop with more hints of the metal and banana from the aroma.
There is this slight, very light, crafty note that peeks in, but other than that it’s nice.
FINISH
Med-long -> Fruity and oaky with a slight butterscotch note on the fade.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Decent balance, med-full body and a velvety feel.
Barrell Bourbon New Year 2022 – Overall Thoughts and Score
Comparing this 2022 to the 2021… I like the 2021 better. I sincerely hope that 2022 is a better year than 2021, but in the context of this yearly whiskey, I like 2021 more. There is a slight crafty essence that subtly pops in and keeps me from being able to fully settle into this whiskey.
Overall it’s sweet and rustic with a nice bit of fruitiness to it and as the palate opens the Barrell Bourbon New Year 2022 picks up more of a cereal grain sweetness. Just don’t add water. Water kicks up that crafty note and more of that raw, woody, cardboard, sawdusty, crafty note comes through.
SCORE: 3.5/5 (tasty, worth checking out ~ B | 83-86)
*Disclosure: The bottle for this bourbon review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Barrell Bourbon New Year 2022 Review
$90
Summary
It’s a decent whiskey and definitely a unique whiskey. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind bourbon to bring in the new year, you’ll never go wrong with this series.
Barrell is the current king of blended bourbons and ryes, and this Barrell Bourbon Batch 30 continues their unapologetic reign. Is every single batch an outstanding, mind blowing experience? No. Is every batch at least tasty and fun? Yes. And that’s the real magic of Barrell. When it comes to their bourbons and ryes you […]
Barrell is the current king of blended bourbons and ryes, and this Barrell Bourbon Batch 30 continues their unapologetic reign. Is every single batch an outstanding, mind blowing experience? No. Is every batch at least tasty and fun? Yes. And that’s the real magic of Barrell.
When it comes to their bourbons and ryes you can pick up any release and know you’ll have something tasty in your glass. It’s become a very reliable brand that redefined its category and has become something I recommend to people regularly. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This is the legacy High West should have had, but they let it slip through their fingers.
That’s all I have for the intro, all the details about the Barrell 30 are below, so let’s get to drinkin’ and jump into this review.
Barrell Bourbon Batch 30 – Details and Tasting Notes
Distillers: Various (likely Tennessee Distilling LTD, Heaven Hill, MGP and Wyoming Whiskey) Blender: Barrell Craft Spirits Mash Bill: At least 51% Corn + Rye + Wheat + Malted Barley Cask: New Charred Oak Age: NAS (Blend of 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, and 15 yo bourbon) ABV: 58.66%
Batch: 20 Bottle: 19,917
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
“Barrell Bourbon Batch 030 began with a group of tropical fruit forward 5-year-old Indiana barrels, a group of stone fruit forward 10-year-old high-rye Tennessee barrels, and a group of nutty 6, 9, 11, and 15-year-old barrels. After mingling separately for a month, they were carefully blended together. Finally, wheated bourbon from Kentucky and Wyoming was added to enhance the complexity of the blend.” – Barrell Craft Spirits
This has to be the most unique Barrell Bourbon I’ve smelled yet. It’s not their typical oak-driven beast of whiskey, more light, herbal, fruity, candy sweet and almost floral.
PALATE
Dark candy sweetness, fruity sweetness, cereal grain sweetness, oak, caramel cupckes, vanilla, candied citrus and some earthy hay undertones.
Like the aroma, this is unique and atypical for Barrell and I need a minute to really process this.
FINISH
Medium-long -> Candy and cereal sweetness and spice fades to oaky dark sweets.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Well balanced, medium-full body and a warm silken feel.
Barrell Bourbon Batch 30 – Overall Thoughts and Score
After several tastes, and a Basin Street, I can officially say I like this batch. It’s not what I’m used to getting from Barrell, it’s a bit atypical, but there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s kind of refreshing to not get an oak bomb and instead get something that’s a bit fruitier, a bit sweeter and a bit spicier. It keeps things from getting boring and predictable when they do a zig and we’re used to zags.
I’ll be honest though, it threw me for a bit of a loop when I didn’t get the oak monster I’m used to, and now I kinda want one, but that’s just me falling prey to the preconceived notions rattling around in my head. That’s on me, not them.
Circling back to the whiskey in my glass right now, I have no real complaints, it’s good. The sweetnesses, the spices, the whole thing just works and the balance is great as is the complexity; I feel like I’m picking up new nuances each time I visit the glass. Barrell Bourbon Batch 30 is a fun curveball I’ll definitely be coming back to.
*Disclosure: The bottle for this bourbon review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Barrell Bourbon Batch 30 Review
$90
Summary
This is a fun whiskey that pushed the oak down a bit and puts the sweeter side of bourbon on display. It’s another great blend from Barrell.
Barrell Seagrass is an American-Canadian blended rye finished in ex-Rum, ex-Madeira and ex-Apricot brandy casks. Separately finished, not consecutively finished; both the American and the Canadian components. If that makes sense skip on down to the next section. If you’re a bit confused, read on. To make the Seagrass, Barrell sourced parcels of rye whiskey […]
Barrell Seagrass is an American-Canadian blended rye finished in ex-Rum, ex-Madeira and ex-Apricot brandy casks. Separately finished, not consecutively finished; both the American and the Canadian components. If that makes sense skip on down to the next section. If you’re a bit confused, read on.
To make the Seagrass, Barrell sourced parcels of rye whiskey from the USA and CAN. Each of those parcels were broken down into batches and those batches were separately finished in ex-Martinique Rum, ex-Madeira or ex-Apricot Brandy casks. Then, when they were ready to bottle, they blended these various finished ryes together to make the final product and the whiskey currently in my glass; the one I’m about to dig into and review right now.
“Seagrass highlights the grassy oceanside notes we love in rye and the opulence and spice of finishing barrels.” – Barrell Craft Spirits
Barrell Seagrass Tasting Notes
EYE
Dirty copper
NOSE
Rye spice, dried fruit, oak, sweet alcohol, grapey sweetness, candy and dry cologne spice.
With time, air and water, the apricot brandy notes really show and there’s a musky/cologne warmth that comes out.
PALATE
Rye spice, bergamot, dried fruit, oak, sweet alcohol, grapey sweetness, candy, dried apricots and touch of menthol and brown sugar.
Weird, unique and super interesting. This might win the year for most intriguing rye delivery.
FINISH
Long -> Rye, oak and fruity sweetness disperse to a core of spiced apricot.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Decent balance, full-body, velvety feel that turns a touch dry.
Barrell Seagrass – Overall Thoughts and Score
This is a bit weird. The rye is there, there’s no mistaking that, but so are all of the other casks listed. Give it time to breathe, and a few drops of water, and you get hints of that dark rummy sweetness on the aroma and palate; the Madeira with its grapey/winey sweetness is there from the get-go but ebbs and flows; the apricot brandy notes start light, but as it opens they grow till they’re more than just noticeable, but still less than prominent.
I’m enjoying this Barrell Seagrass neat, but it’s not something I’d reach for regularly. I could see myself having a glass now and then to break up the usual end-of-day sipping experience, but not often. Instead, this bottle will likely empty via cocktails. Put this into any rye or bourbon-based cocktail and it will instantly transform it into something totally different and possibly more exciting.
*Disclosure: The bottle for this rye whiskey review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Barrell Seagrass Review
$90
Summary
An ok sipping whiskey, but a seriously interesting and unique cocktail ingredient that should be able to elevate any drink it’s in.
