Barrell Bourbon Batch 033

The aroma presents candied apples and a potent blast of hot Dentine cinnamon gum with a whisper of brown sugar. It doesn't appear overly thick in the glass. The taste mirrors these sensations, with the heat and cinnamon dominating everything, leading to an acrid conclusion. Adding ice significantly calms the cinnamon, allowing the fruit and candy corn notes to emerge. The finish improves considerably, though it's much shorter, completely removing the bitterness while preserving a pleasant cinnamon flavor. It's uncommon for me to favor sipping slowly with ice, but this spirit genuinely benefited from some moderation.

Aroma - abundant dry cocoa powder, a slight touch of orange/citrus and cherries. Rye spices and leather, with a lightly browned marshmallow (like for s'mores). Flavor - Wow. The smoothness at 116.6 proof is immediately noticeable, as is the very pleasant finish. A very complex initial taste experience. This one is truly distinctive. Each sip offers something different. At times it's rich with flavor (chocolate, dark fruits, and intense caramel), at other times it's sweet (corn, marshmallow, burnt sugar, cherries), and occasionally it's bold (rye, wintergreen cask strength intensity).

To start, my palate isn't the most developed. I am interested in and favor this distillery, as I've tried and enjoyed their finished whiskeys. I'm detecting citrus fruit with some vanilla on the palate; for me, this drink leans more towards the bright fruit/sweet side with enough spice to keep it interesting. Long, subdued finish. Drinks much lighter than its stated alcohol content. There is a depth and complexity here that one expects from a premium product, but nothing that will astound you. A solid batch. I concur with the distiller's score of 89, though we have differing opinions on the flavor notes.

It's certainly an intriguing mixture. The rye comes through in the initial aromas right away, with the sweetness from the corn spirit filling the lower mid-range. It has a peppery quality and a bittersweet chocolate effect, yet possesses a smooth character that balances the intense rye notes. The lingering taste is very much like cold-brewed black coffee, leaving a slight bitterness on the palate. This particular release is markedly different from the most recent versions from this brand. It's somewhat austere, yet has a familiar quality that emerges unexpectedly.

NOSE: Rich dark sweets (caramel, butterscotch, toffee, etc.), preserved fruit, toasted corn, vanilla, a hint of biscuit, and subtle nutmeg notes. A surprisingly sweet and less oaky scent than expected from this producer. PALATE: Caramel, dried fruit, toffee, toasted nuts, cinnamon, dried cherries, some clove, licorice candy, and citrus. Once again, it's remarkably sweet and not very oaky for this brand, presenting a character I didn't anticipate from them. FINISH: Medium to long, with notes of toffee, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweet fruit.

The aroma features orange and vanilla. The finish is sweeter, with notes of candied corn, apricot, caramel, and vanilla, along with some spicy citrus. It's excellent and remarkably easy to drink neat, despite its alcohol content. The negative comments seem to focus on price, which is an issue with many bourbons due to hype. This distillery is currently popular, but that may fade. This is an outstanding bourbon.