Barrell Bourbon Single Barrel #5D57 (Total Wine)

Selected by Davidson County ABC; Labeled "Hickory Tree Series No. 12" Barrel No. ZIHO 7 years old 60.76% alcohol by volume; 121.52 proof Opened 2 weeks ago Nose: Sweet corn and cereal mash, honey-roasted peanuts, peanut brittle, maraschino cherry, orange peel, caramel, butterscotch, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, toasted marshmallow, light oak, and moderate ethanol. Palate: Peanut brittle, salted peanut shells, buttery grilled corn, mineral water, classic bubble gum, grilled peaches, cherries, black pepper, toasted oak, and strong rye baking spices. The finish is medium-long with clove, nutmeg, vanilla bean, peanuts, black pepper, oak tannins, and moderate ethanol. At first, I would have rated this a 2.75, but I've never changed my mind on a bourbon so rapidly. I wanted to get something special for my birthday that I wouldn't normally purchase but wouldn't be a letdown. My first choice was a Booker's, which is a bit too expensive for regular purchase but is known to be reliably good. Surprisingly, three stores didn't have it, so I opted for this Barrell pick from one of the best ABC stores in NC. They boast a great selection and offer many store picks that receive positive feedback. When I first opened this Barrell SiB, I was quite disappointed. I felt it was very similar to the overrated Noah's Mill but cost twice as much, with comparable sour mash/corn notes. I was so disappointed that I bought a Wild Turkey Rare Breed three days later for my birthday, knowing that would never disappoint me. However, the sour notes from this Barrell began to subside and started to resemble an excellent high rye bourbon from MGP, combined with the sweet corn flavors from Wilderness Trail. The best indicator of this bottle's quality is how incredibly drinkable it is. I've been reaching for this over most of the bourbons on my shelf during the past two weeks of watching college basketball. I don't taste the proof at all. If it weren't $100, I would definitely explore more Barrell SiBs. These are flavors I don't encounter in most of my bourbon purchases.

From the Bull City Bourbon Club, named "Berry Garcia." It's from Barrel No. Z554. Made with an MGP low rye mashbill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. Aged for 8 years and 9 months, bottled at 55.52% abv (111.04 proof). Opened 2 months. Smells like berries and cream hard candy, candy bar nougat, raspberry chocolate cheesecake, cheap maraschino cherries, corn dust, nutmeg, toasted oak, and moderate ethanol. Tastes like artificial cherry, chalky dried berries, old-fashioned berry hard candy, Corn Pops, oats, and hay. The finish is medium-long with strong minerality, chalky dried berries, cornmeal, floral tea, white pepper, light oak, and moderate ethanol. This is the second Barrell selection we've had this summer. It begins powerfully with an intense berries and cream aroma that could suggest various candies or desserts. However, the taste is predominantly chalky and dry. If I hadn't known it was MGP, I would have assumed it was a lower-tier Barton product due to the artificial fruity cereal character. It's the same flavor profile I encounter in Three Chord, Yellowstone, and some 1792 expressions, and it's not always appealing as it can easily become chalky minerals with hints of fruit and corn. I regret to inform my club administrators that this is my least favorite Barrell product I've experienced. It's decent, but for the $100 price tag, it's disappointing.

Barrel: Z5S4 Bottle: 136 Age: 8 years 9 months Proof: 111.04 BCBC Club “Berry Garcia” Nose: Overwhelmingly fruity, but quite light. Not intensely rich. Palate: Oily and fruity. Some spice is present but it drinks smoothly for being 111 proof. Finish: Short and spicy. Overall: Quite enjoyable. I typically appreciate Barrell bourbon products. Is it worth $90? Not really, but it's certainly superior to others I've spent more on.

Having a second taste. More tobacco is present. All I detect is earth and tobacco, with minimal burn at the conclusion. It's certainly not like some of the Barrell batches I've tried. This is a 14-year selection. I'm not particularly fond of this single barrel.

Vanilla, cherry, leather, and a chocolate oak finish. Biscuits, vanilla, and honey on the nose. Absolutely incredible. Bourbon Street Wine & Spirits selection. Batch #600

This is the initial pour, so I'll let it rest. I'm detecting strong notes of tobacco in this bottle. More impressions to follow.