Barrell Armida

Feb 12

This was my fifth pour in the 7-way Barrell blind, and perhaps the most surprising. I didn’t do a reveal until trying all seven, but I was almost positive the first pour - not this one - was the Armida. That was the one that had so much wine influence, that I got several different fruity profiles on - and I was dead wrong. I liked this - I liked it a lot, even. But I also thought it was a rye. I got the herbaceous notes - probably from the Amaro - and I got the stone fruitiness, likely the rum and pear brandy influence. I love MGP rye, so I was happy with this - if not the best example of their work, it wasn’t a bad one by any means.

The thing is, though, Barrell Armida - named for Barrell founder Joe Beatrice’s mother’s formal name - has been polarizing since its release. Of those I know who have tried it, not a single person has said “it’s ok” or “it’s fine” - they either love it or hate it. I initially rated this a 5.4, but after the reveal I did something I’ve only done 2-3 times before - I changed my rating after the reveal. In this case, I did so only because this is such a unique product, irrespective of where you fall on the love/hate spectrum. In the context of what it is, I believe this is actually quite a successful “experiment” as Mr. Beatrice has called it. It’s not perfect, but it is interesting, and sometimes that’s all I want a whiskey to be - something that makes me think and want to explore it more. For that alone, I raised the score a full point, and I stand by it.

Barrell Armida: Specs

Classification: Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskies

Origin: Undisclosed, Three Bourbon Whiskies finished in Pear Brandy, Rum, and Sicilian Amaro Casks

Mashbill: Undisclosed

Proof: 112.1 (56.05% ABV)

Age: NAS

Location: Undisclosed

Barrell Armida Price: $250

Official Website

Barrell Armida Review: Tasting Notes (blind)

Eye: Orange-hued amber. Medium-thick rims bleed syrupy droplet legs.

Nose: Ooh…that’s different! I like it! Potentially a rye…buttery, bready, with a hint of dill. Not-too-sweet MGP rye profile opens slowly. This stays somewhat tight on the nose throughout, but a little menthol ekes out with some air.

Palate: Rye spice hits under the tongue immediately and works its way up my palate. The tingle is strong - not quite to the level of burn, but it’s certainly there and sticks around. Ricola honey herb cough drops with some Manuka honey and caramel. Herbal notes stay in the background. Mouthfeel is tingly/prickly, velvety and textured with peppercorn skins.

Finish: Some heat remains, but it’s mellowed. Mild rye flavor remains for a medium-to-short finish. I swear this is a rye, but watch me be wrong.

Overall: I was 95% sure this was a rye - perhaps an MGP 7-year-old rye that was on the less-sweet side of the spectrum, but a rye nonetheless. Maybe the finishes overtook the bourbon, maybe this particular mix of finishing casks led to a rye-like profile, but it sure fooled me.

Final Rating: 6.4

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)

1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)