Barrell Bourbon Batch 22
Thanks to Sandee at the Whiskey Ward for the picture fo Barrell Bourbon Batch 22!
This was the third pour I tried just before New Year’s Eve 2019, alongside Barrell New Year 2020 and Barrell Rye “9th Floor”. Again - at $5/oz, no way I’m turning that down. That’s basically at cost for this bottle.
Barrell’s batched bourbons - or bourbon batches, if you like - are all a bit different. Most have components from Kentucky and Indiana in them (and Tennessee, but we don’t like to talk about those). This batch was just as unique as the others I’ve tried, though it was on the higher end in terms of proof at 116.6.
I continue to say this about Barrell: I like their batches, and I truly respect their process and how they go about their business. This batch was good, even very good, but for me not as good as the 2020 New Year edition. I’m about to try Batches 25 and 26…let’s see how this go!
Barrell Bourbon Batch 22: Specs
Classification: Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskies
Origin: Kentucky and Indiana (MGP)
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Proof: 116.6 (58.3% ABV)
Age: 5 Years Old
Location: Kentucky and Indiana
Barrell Bourbon Batch 22 Price: $110
Barrell Bourbon Batch 22 Review: Tasting Notes
Eye: Thick rims and thick legs.
Nose: Very tight - lets out only a little sweetness. Bubblegum comes out after lots of air.
Palate: Spicy rye up front gives way to woody oak notes and bitter chocolate.
Finish: Medium length, dark chocolate and black tea. Spicy and sweet - the best part of the pour.
Overall: A very nice offering, if a bit too rye-forward for me. Bitter in pleasant ways on the palate balanced by a sweet nose.
Final Rating: 6.2
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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