Barrell Bourbon New Year 2024

I’m going to approach my tasting notes differently this year. Instead of reviewing one whisky at a time, I'll be comparing two or three in an evening. This helps me understand my preferences better through contrast, even with different styles like bourbon, scotch, and rye. The order of tasting can influence perception; a lighter whisky might seem better before heavier ones. Price also impacts enjoyment, so I'll continue to mention what I paid and whether a whisky is good but overpriced, suggesting its true value based on my budget. This comparative approach isn't new; others do face-offs with similar whiskies, but my selections will often be based on what bottles I have available. This particular tasting occurred while watching a football game with a friend. The Eagles had already secured their playoff position, so the game's outcome was less critical. With backup players on the field, including a third-string quarterback, it highlights the Giants' struggles that we still won against their starters. The whiskies tasted that evening, in order, were: 1. Talisker 8 Year Tidal Churn (2024 Special Edition); 2. Paul John 2019 Christmas Edition Indian Single Malt Whisky; and 3. Barrell New Year Bourbon 2024. Let's dive in. Talisker 8 Year Tidal Churn (2024 Special Edition) I've seen Diageo's special releases before but was deterred by their unavailability in Pennsylvania and high cost. However, during a trip through Maryland and Delaware, my wife's interest in cocktails led us to Total Wine, broadening our options. While I enjoy Talisker 10 and the Distiller's Edition, I'd never tried a cask strength version. At $110, it was the cheapest special release, so I bought it as an early holiday treat. The description of its maturation—refill & ex-bourbon American oak, finished in stone-spun & toasted American oak—meant little to me, but I was eager to try it. The packaging promised notes of apple, pear, and sea smoke, which sounded appealing. I'd had a small taste on Christmas Eve with my brother-in-law, who loves Talisker, but saved the main tasting for this game, given the high proof. These notes are from about ten days later. Nose: While I appreciate the idea of maritime smoke, I suspect it's a marketing term for salt and peat. Similarly, 'waves of pear and apple' seems exaggerated. There are orchard fruits, leaning more towards pear, but the distinction is minor, like debating peaches versus nectarines. The aroma is primarily pear, salt, and peat, with a subtle hint of anise in the background. It's not quite as pleasing as the Talisker Distiller's Edition from this year, which I also have but didn't open for comparison. This Tidal Churn offers more complexity than the 10, with added sweetness and some vanilla. The peat is well-integrated, complementing the other elements rather than dominating. With air, the anise note shifts to something like pine. Palate: The palate opens with salt, followed by sweet vanilla. The fruit is subtle, starting with pear-like sweetness that develops into a tartness reminiscent of Pink Lady apples. The peat is present but harmonized, and despite the high proof, the heat is manageable for those accustomed to barrel-proof spirits. My friend, who often comments on heat from barrel-proof pours, found this 117.4 proof dram smooth. It's not exceptionally complex. Expert reviews mention a meaty note, but I don't detect any bacon-like flavor found in the standard 10, which seems subdued in the Distiller's Edition and absent here unless 'meat' just means salty. Finish: The finish is of medium length, with pepper, fruit, and vanilla notes carrying over from the palate. Overall, I enjoyed this bottling and am glad I tried it. However, at $110, it doesn't compel me to seek future Special Releases, as the quality wasn't significantly higher than their standard offerings. Compared to Ardbeg's BizarreBQ, which I bought three bottles of for $85 each and found superior, this Talisker feels less value-for-money. I'll finish the bottle with pleasure since it's already purchased, but for peated, high-proof options, better value exists elsewhere. I generally don't add water to my tastings, so I can't comment on that. Paul John Christmas Edition 2019 Next is the Paul John Christmas Edition 2019, purchased in 2022 alongside the 2020 edition. The regular price was $85, but I got them for $42.50 each on clearance – a fantastic deal. I opened the 2020 that year but saved the 2019 until December 23rd, opening it while working in my attic man-cave. I rated the 2020 edition 3.75 stars, noting that Indian Single Malts taste distinctly different from Scotch or Irish whiskey. The fruit flavors seemed regional, possibly influenced by native fruits, though I questioned if this was my perception due to its origin. I served this after opening on Christmas Eve to family and friends who visited. I also poured some during the Eagles game because the bottle was nearly empty, and sometimes you just want to finish something off. Nose: Tasting this after the Talisker Tidal Churn, I noticed the Paul John was darker but lacked an age statement. The nose had a faint peat note, but was predominantly fruity, almost candied and creamy, evoking Skittles with bright citrus, lime, and mango, plus a touch of spice that might be turmeric if not playing into stereotypes. It was a wonderful, complex, and lively nose for a 92 proof whisky. Banana notes were present, but more like Runts candy than the profile found in Jack Daniel's or Old Forester, mixed with spice and candied fruit. Palate: The mouthfeel was more delicate than the Talisker, reflecting its lower proof. Peat and spice mingled initially before fruit flavors reappeared, though less candied and primarily mango and banana, with the lime largely absent. It was good, especially considering the Talisker's presence, but I wondered about its potential at cask strength. I've had the Paul John Barrel Proof, which was good, but this Christmas Edition felt more complex in flavor, albeit less intense. Towards the end, a creamy vanilla custard note emerged. Finish: The finish delivered a spice bomb of cardamom and cinnamon to the back of the tongue, lingering pleasantly. Overall, I would have been disappointed at full price when I bought it, but my valuation has changed. While $85 might be high, $70 seems reasonable. Unfortunately, prices tend to rise, and the current SRP is around $100, making it unlikely I'll buy another unless I find a cask strength version at a good price or another clearance sale. Given that only Paul John Nirvana is available at the store now, my options seem limited. Barrell New Year Bourbon 2024 I was eager to revisit this one. I opened it on New Year's Eve but switched to the Paul John Christmas edition midway through the night due to the bourbon's 113 proof. I bought this in New Jersey during a family beach vacation, intending to open it for NYE. We had a James Bond movie marathon before watching the ball drop, enjoying ourselves. While a different drink might have been more fitting, I prefer whiskey. I've enjoyed most Barrell releases but haven't fallen in love with any until now. I've previously added an ice cube to high-proof Barrell whiskies like Seagrass and Vantage to make them more palatable, and I don't mind a single ice cube in anything over 120 proof. Nose: By the third whisky, my notes naturally become less detailed, likely reflecting the whisky itself. This Barrell NY 2024 offered intense waves of peach, caramel, and vanilla cream. It had only been open for 4 days before this tasting, so perhaps some initial heat had dissipated with about 1/5 of the bottle consumed. It felt less hot than when I first tried it on NYE. However, tasting it third, after the Talisker and Paul John, might have given me more tolerance to the heat, a known effect. Palate: Similar to the nose, the palate presented strong caramel and vanilla, with peach notes still present but less intense. It also had a baked bread quality, suggesting peach cobbler. I thought it would pair well as a dessert bourbon with cakes or pies. Finish: Unusually for a whiskey, the fruit flavors persisted into the finish, being more prominent than spice or alcohol. The peach cobbler notes carried through and lingered. Overall, the Barrell New Year 2024 Bourbon might be my favorite Barrell product to date. For this tasting, the Paul John 2019 Christmas Edition had the best nose, the Barrell New Years 2024 Bourbon had the best palate and finish, placing the Talisker last in my experience.

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Adding a few drops of water helps to reduce the ethanol burn.