Barrell Whiskey Private Selection Oloroso-Finished KY Whiskey

Barrell Whiskey Private Selection Oloroso-Finished KY Whiskey

17 YO KY Whiskey, unknown source (and no way to tell through the finishing)

Picked by Bourbon Enthusiast

58.05% ABV/116.1 Proof 

Batch BH07, Bottle 158

Eye: Golden hay - I can’t believe how light this is between the age and the finish, but here we are. Medium rims and droplet legs. 

Nose: Very fruity, especially apples - almost apple brandy at cask strength-type nose. Savory undertone from deep dark fruits. 

Palate: A great heat, very fruity still and orchard-led. Spiced fresh-pressed apple cider evolves into dark red fruit as it opens. Becomes more and more interesting as I drink it. The Oloroso and whiskey play off each other deliciously. Dark chocolate and dried goji berries. Mouthfeel is silky, pleasantly hot, and grape-led.

Finish: Short-to-medium but makes every second count. Apples and spiced apple cider develop into baking and mulling spices, jammy notes from the sherry. 

Overall: I love this. It’s complex, evolving, fruity, spicy, and with every twist and turn it stays balanced. An exemplary whiskey. 

Rating: 9.0

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)