Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023

Dec 31

At the end of each year, Barrell Craft Spirits releases their New Year Edition, a composite look at what they’ve done in the previous year and with an eye to the next.

This year’s blend includes bourbons from Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Wyoming, New York, Texas, and Maryland - as always, in no particular order (according to Will Schragis, the order is probably closest to the order in which component states were added).

Each year, with different inputs, leads to something new. This year it’s caramel - lots of it. Not the typical bourbon caramel but one closer to a wheat whiskey, that just-finished-a-Werther’s caramel.

I won’t spend too much time getting into it - there’s a brisket in the oven needing my attention - suffice it to say this is a delicious way to end the year. Somehow, Barrell throws the kitchen sink into their New Year blends, and it always kicks ass. This year is no exception - and is an excellent price to boot.

Thank you to Barrell Craft Spirits and Ro-Bro Marketing for providing this bottle free of charge and without editorial constraints.

Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023 Whiskey: Specs

Classification: Blended Bourbon Whiskey

Origin: Barrell Craft Spirits

Mashbill: Undisclosed

Proof: 113.54 (56.77% ABV)

Age: Blend of 5, 6, 7, 8, 10-Year-Old Bourbons

Location: Multi-State

Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023 Whiskey Price: $99.99

Official Website

Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023 Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Eye: Burnt sienna.

Nose: Freshly varnished wood and orange oil flow out of the glass. Toasted Brazil nuts, buttery and chalky. Cinnamon dusted French toast and egg batter. Vanilla pudding, sugary and sweet.

Palate: Orange Necco wafers and vanilla pastry cream. More than expected proof up front on the sides and under the tongue. Custard and spiced maple syrup. Mouthfeel is full-bodied and coating, the pepper growing quickly on the tip of my tongue. Caramel that tastes like wheat whiskey Werther’s on a lingering all-tongue prickle.

Finish: The varnish and orange oil return as the proof fades slowly. Long and pleasant, mouthwatering, invites you for more.

Overall: I’ve grown to love Barrell’s New Year blends - they throw the kitchen sink into it from what was used this year, and somehow it all works together. The caramel notes on this one are delightful as an end-of-year pop.

Final Rating: 7.2

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary

8 | Excellent | Exceptional

7 | Great | Well above average

6 | Very Good | Better than average

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary

4 | Has promise but needs work

1-3 | Let’s have a conversation