Barrell Rye Single Barrel “9th Floor” Batch L958

Feb 10

Thanks to Sandee at the Whiskey Ward for the picture! — *Thanks to Sandee at the* Whiskey Ward for the picture!

This was the second pour I tried just before New Year’s Eve 2019, alongside Barrell New Year 2020 and Barrell Bourbon Batch 22. Again - at $5/oz, no way I’m turning that down. That’s basically at cost for this bottle.

Barrell Rye is, generally speaking, my favorite line of theirs. It’s consistently good regardless of source (on the batches, M=MGP in Indiana, L=Canadian Rye). There are differences between those sources, though - the MGP rye Barrell chooses is 7-year-old stock, and the Canadian Rye from Alberta Distillers is 13- or 14-year-old (at time of writing, only 14-year-old whisky is available). The Canadian Rye also has different rules - Canadian whiskies have less strict regulations than American whiskies, including such things as the 9.09% rule, inclusion of light whisky (note - no “e” for Canada), and coloring agents.

The “9.09 Rule” is regularly derided by American whiskey nerds, but let’s set the record straight - it doesn’t mean the whisky is better or worse, and it has approximately the same impact (by percentage spirit) that finishing in a used cask would have. By law, Canadian whisky can include up to 9.o9% - around 1/11th of the total spirit volume - non-Canadian whisky or other spirit and still be called Canadian. There’s no specification for inclusion or exclusion - the spirit could be light whisky (whisky that is distilled to a higher proof and barreled at a higher proof but otherwise fits standard definitions of whisky), could be American whiskey, could be corn whisky - the point is, the category is wide open.

I’ve had Canadian light whiskies and Canadian whisky that’s over hazmat level, and it is delicious. As always - don’t discard a chance to try something just because it sounds different. You don’t know what you like until you try it!

Barrell Rye "9th Floor” Batch L958: Specs

Classification: Canadian Whisky

Origin: Canada, Alberta Distillers

Mashbill: Undisclosed

Proof: 124.2 (62.1% ABV)

Age: 13 Years Old

Location: Canada, aged further in Kentucky

Barrell Rye “9th Floor” L958 Price: N/A - Single Barrel no longer available

Barrell Rye "9th Floor” Batch L958: Tasting Notes

Eye: Thick rym and syrupy legs, a mildly dark straw.

Nose: Bubblegum, spearmint, cocoa - a clear rye nose.

Palate: Lemon, black tea, and dark chocolate - a surprising combo that really works. Numbing the tip of the tongue allows the flavors to grow from back to front.

Finish: Long and chocolatey - delicious. Slightly herbal and fresh.

Overall: Each part is great, but the finish in particular is beautiful and builds on the cocoa. A delicious pour nose to finish.

Final Rating: 7.9

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)