Barrell Bourbon Single Barrel #Z119

This was bottled for The Whisky List's American Whisky Show virtual tasting event in 2021. Nose: Earthy notes, stewed apples, cinnamon sugar, cornbread, with a hint of wintergreen and musty oak. Palate: A fruity and spicy arrival. It's sweet but has significant dry baking spice that intensifies during development. Notes of over-brewed black tea and a touch of lemon extract are present. The texture is substantial but dries out to the point of astringency, making it feel lighter. Finish: Short. Features toasted oak and burnt marshmallow notes, but it's not a long finish, just a lingering aftertaste of char and citrus. A pleasant bourbon, but less captivating than anticipated. The existing flavors are good, but overall it felt one-dimensional, even empty. A splash of water softened the presentation and allowed the nose and palate to expand, but it never gained substance and didn't seem like a 10-year-old whiskey. I'd be happy to try it again, and it would likely work well as a mixer, but I wouldn't purchase a bottle, especially given the exorbitant local price. Tasted from a 20ml sample. Score: 83/100 (3.5 stars) - "Good"