Barrell Bourbon Batch 023

Straight. First pour from the bottle. It's been ages since I last had a Barrell. I believe it was batch 9, which I didn't enjoy back then. I can struggle with Dickel. The aroma is quite inviting at first. Deep butterscotch, a touch of toffee, brown sugar and cinnamon, a bit of that Dickel funk, charred caramel. Wow, it's even giving me some notes that remind me of Four Roses. Oak is present, but the age of these barrels isn't as apparent as I anticipated. Nice creamy texture, yet it's also light and fluffy on the palate. Brown sugar and cinnamon are prominent initially. It transitions into the Dickel character, but the caramels, butterscotch, and toffee really come through. Butterscotch is abundant in the legs. The Dickel funk is still a drawback for me, but this blend does a solid job of keeping things engaging. The other barrels in this mix contribute a lot of flavor and enhance/mask the Dickel to keep it enjoyable.

I'm intoxicated and also under the influence of some products from Colorado, but this is excellent. Oak and cereal/oatmeal notes emerge on the palate, but the nose has maple syrup with some cherry. A great bourbon. I utilize the rating system detailed below. The distillery uses a scale of 5, while I use a scale of 10, but I'm confident you're not too impaired to figure out the conversion! 1. Abysmal - So bad I discarded it. 2. Lacking - I would not consume by choice. 3. Subpar - Contains multiple flaws. 4. Less than average - Not terrible, but there are many options I prefer. 5. Average - Simply standard. 6. Above average - Better than standard. 7. Excellent - Well above standard. 8. Outstanding - In a class of its own. 9. Unforgettable - A personal all-time favorite. 10. Flawless

This batch combines elements of two previous batches. It possesses the classic bourbon character of one, without a certain off-note, and a nice touch of spice similar to another, but without its overwhelming cinnamon. I slightly prefer this one over one of the earlier batches and significantly over another, with one other batch being a very close contender. This brand offers a premium bourbon at a premium cost, and it's outstanding. I'd choose one of their products over two less expensive bourbons.

The aroma has it all. Vanilla, caramel, dry oak, butterscotch, and spice. Hints of eucalyptus and cedar. Smooth mouthfeel, but intense heat on the finish. Ample chocolate and vanilla remain at the end, with the heat originating from both the alcohol and the barrel. A very long finish, primarily influenced by the barrel. Extremely complex and quite potent. A VERY dry finish. Hints of clove linger. Re-tasted in August 2020... Increased the rating.

Really enjoying this. The aroma is rich, potent, and complex with well-integrated sweet and earthy notes; The palate is an unusual mix of refined dessert and earthier profiles that harmonize effectively, making me favor this bottle slightly over others on my shelf; The finish combines the best elements and leaves you feeling great.

Tonight, I have the pleasure of tasting some Batch 23 Barrel bourbon. It's a mix of 10, 12, and 15-year-old bourbons. It has a pleasant initial warmth, with a nutty and buttery flavor. It concludes with a subtle fruit jam note and a creamy caramel blend. I really like this one. Total Wine has it available.