Barrell Bourbon Batch 21
This was my third pour in the 7-way Barrell blind - it was interesting in some ways, and confusing in others. Once the reveal was made, it was so much clearer. Barrell outright says in the description of this batch that it was built on a woody backbone, and it’s well-established that I don’t like my whiskies woody or too oaky. I have had only one bourbon I even came close to liking that was over 15 years old (Evan Williams 23) and that was at best very good.
Tasting this blind, I was frankly confused about whether it was a bourbon or a rye. It was a total 180º from the Barrell Bourbon Batch 25 - it wasn’t too hot, and the flavors - while confusing - were clearer. I got the Dickel note, but otherwise, I was pretty close to calling this a rye before finally going with bourbon. Must’ve been that woody character.
Barrell Bourbon Batch 21: Specs
Classification: Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskies
Origin: Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana (MGP)
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Proof: 106.34 (53.17% ABV)
Age: 10-14 Years Old
Location: Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana
Barrell Bourbon Batch 21 Price: $85
Barrell Bourbon Batch 21: Tasting Notes (blind)
Eye: Orange-hued amber. Thin rims and quick legs.
Nose: Not tight, but not distinct, either - could go either way with a rye or a bourbon. Is that a hint of Dickel?? Not sure…could be an expectation bias. Some baked goods open up with air - a hint of vanilla but the barest hint. There’s sweetened cornbread that smells more complex than just cornbread. Minty oak, too.
Palate: Ooh - that’s hot at first, but also intriguing. Black pepper, menthol, creamy oak. Heat centers on the tip of my tongue and the corners of my mouth but largely leaves the rest of my palate alone. Air mellows the heat to a more manageable level, but it also enhances the oak spice. Medium-to-thin mouthfeel, more rye character comes out here - woody and herbal without being sweet. Hint of baking chocolate ekes in on the back end. (This is about where I thought it was a rye).
Finish: Drying oak continues, but it’s not overpowering. The woody character sticks around longer than I’d like in the corners of my mouth.
Overall: Not bad, not great…kind of confusing. It honestly had more rye characteristics for me than bourbon ones, but that woody note and the menthol can be tricky.
Final Rating: 4.6
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)
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