Barrell Craft Spirits Canadian Whiskey finished in Oloroso Sherry and XO Armagnac casks

If there's a chance to taste a Barrel whiskey, any of their varieties, the odds are high that what is about to be consumed is going to be good. This sample provided to me by a friend had all the ingredients to meet that expectation. Color: The color is similar to diluted apple juice. Smell: Canned pears. The initial nosing gives off syrupy canned pears. It’s a rich aroma that takes time to dissect. Golden sultanas add to the fruity aroma. Brown sugar, honey, and vanilla continue to add sweetness. Pinot Grigio provides some white grape dryness. Given more time and space, apricot and cantaloupe just pile on top the fruit basket of aromas. This is not all fruit. Dustings of ground cinnamon and sawdust shavings provide a hint of earthiness. Taste: For a punchy pour at 60.82% alcohol by volume, the arrival on the palate is soft, velvety, and sweet. Honey-candied pears fill the palate with that fruity sweetness found on the nose. Leather, orange creamsicle, dark stone fruit, cinnamon, white pepper. These core flavors are blended and nicely balanced. The cinnamon-pepper tingles the tongue as it fades towards the start of the finish. Finish: The finish is slightly woody and drying. The noted sawdust shavings and leather linger for a while. The orange creamsicle coats the tongue with honeyed toast. These flavors last a good while, like the palate fullness never faded. Overall: A solid offering from Barrel. A sweet whiskey, yet not overly sweet. A dessert sipper. Surprisingly easy to sip without any water. The smell is a bouquet of fruit. The taste is flavorful. Though flavorful, the range of flavors is contained. If the aromas could be embodied on the palate, this would be an immense whiskey. However, this is a solid offering and extremely enjoyable with a strong finish. Thanks to a friend for the generous sample. [90/100][Tasted: 7/14/23]

Smells like cinnamon spice, bubblegum, and tangerine syrup. It seemed overly sweet initially but truly grows on you.