Barrell Dovetail (124.7 Proof)

Appearance is leggy, oily, and beautiful in the glass, like other bottles I've tried. The nose is super sweet, creamy, with brown sugar and baking spice. The flavor has notes of port wine, it's sweet, tart, tangy, hot, very herbaceous, and has a very strong heat. To me, this one is a miss, at least for now. It was rather bitter in my mouth and I almost made a face. It was off-putting, mostly because the expected flavors were in extreme opposition to the nose. The sweet aroma was clearly from the port wine that presented in flavor, but there was no heat in the aroma, yet it was so present in the mouth! I also wasn't expecting such herb flavor, and while I love herbs, this blend of herbs didn't sit well on my palate and caused the bitterness. I do want to try it again and potentially love it. This is the only bottle from this brand I have tried and not truly loved. Ratings have nothing to do with cost - just my impressions.

Another day, another Barrell... Every time a new Barrell label appears on the shelf at my local store, I tell myself I won't get drawn in, but who am I fooling? Barrell has become a favorite of mine, and I've yet to be let down, despite the somewhat premium price point. The aroma is truly a delight. A pleasant base vanilla is present, but swirls of the rum and port casks create an inviting prelude to the dram. The first sip is exceptionally good! This is like drinking Halloween... it starts with those little cinnamon red hots, some lovely caramel comes through, followed by some red berry gummies. The pour finishes with a gentle cinnamon caramel apple sweetness that gradually fades. There's a lot going on here, and it's quite special. This won't be everyone's definition of whiskey perfection, but it comes very close for me. This might be the best Barrell I've had to date, and that's saying a lot. Don't leave this one on the shelf if you see it. You'll appreciate it later.

Nose: Vanilla and cherry mingled like a cough drop, rye spice, leather, honey (possibly from the vanilla sweetness), hazelnut, a faint cola note, perhaps some herbal notes. Smells wonderful, but if you're unprepared, the spice will sting your nostrils. Palate: Rye spiciness, that vanilla/cherry cough drop, cinnamon, peanut, sweet, butterscotch, a hint of smoke. Finish: Appears spicier than the proof suggests, lips tingle, slight dryness, not much flavor, somewhat plastic or rubbery, minimal sweetness. The peatiness increases the longer you wait between sips. 88/100 - Always stocked - For the initial tasting. The finish is disappointing, but the nose and palate are fantastic. Would be curious to add a few drops of water or serve on ice to see how it affects the rye spicyness.

Smell: sugar cane, apples, red grapes and light amaretto syrup. Caramel and cinnamon. Taste: figs and almond candy. Light cinnamon and oak. Adding water reveals rich fruits like apple and peaches. The taste becomes oakier with burnt caramel and cinnamon, finishing with a hint of grape. A significant amount of water is needed to unlock and harmonize the flavors, but it is rewarding when achieved.

The aroma is sweet with notes of oak. The initial taste is a flavor explosion! It's a blend of floral, sweet, and tannic all at once. The mouthfeel is less oily and more substantial, reminding me more of an Irish whiskey. This is like the offspring of Green Spot and Stagg Jr. An excellent experience if you appreciate complexity in your whiskey.

Wow. I've found my favorite, and it's from Barrell Craft Spirits. Their Dovetail expression is incredible. It begins with a sweet molasses and dark cherry flavor that transitions to a bolder spice and oak char, concluding with toasted marshmallow. I'm really enjoying the long, spicy finish. Outstanding.