Barrell Whiskey American Vatted Malt June 25, 2019

Bias. Preconceptions. Prejudice. Discrimination. Whatever you call it, judging without evidence is a dark part of being human. We all do it, in small ways or in ways that cause harm. Years ago, on a trip to Greece with my wife and then-toddler daughter, we rode a funicular down from the Santorini caldera. A young man, appearing to be of Middle Eastern or Arabic background, was with us. He spoke a little broken English and offered my daughter an Elmo doll, which she eagerly reached for. I refused, driven by suspicion. Why was a lone man carrying an Elmo? Why was he in the car with us? Why attempt conversation when he couldn't speak the language well? Days later, we encountered him again at a Santorini restaurant where he was working as a waiter. He approached us and immediately apologized in broken English for making us uncomfortable. He explained he saw my daughter, which reminded him of his own daughter back home in Iraq. He had bought the doll for her but couldn't ship it, so he hoped to see my daughter smile with it. He showed us a photo of his family. I felt incredibly small, especially considering I'm a highly educated, non-white minority with a good life in the US, yet I had made a prejudiced judgment based on nothing. This brings me to this whiskey. What a wild tangent. A friend graciously sent this. If you ever doubted that American craft whiskey could compete with the best from the UK, India, or Japan, this will change your mind. It's masterful blending, comparable to Compass Box, but much more affordable. Many dismiss blends as inferior to single malts, and an American blend? Surely it can't be good. This expression is vibrant, spirited, and full of life. Notes of cherry pie, baking spices, and a smooth mouthfeel. It elevates the best American craft spirits and surpasses them. If you see this bottle, purchase it immediately. They might release a second batch, but there's no guarantee it will match the quality of the first.

This was allowed to air for an hour in a rocks glass. The resulting scents were vanilla, apples, and cinnamon cherry. Cask strength caramels, butterscotch, and cherry pie with cinnamon were present, but the high ethanol content dominated the palate. The mesquite finish from the accompanying Del Bac appeared as dark spice (indicating this was not a BBQ flavor). Some fennel and mint characteristics were also noticeable. The finish was dry from oak (as is typical for me with higher-ABV spirits) and ended with a note of smoky, red hot cinnamon candies. It gave more the impression of a seductive smoky rye than a blend of single malts. Upon a second tasting, I added an ice cube. The nose had a slight resemblance to a Highland scotch, with a subtle undertone of black licorice. The palate then began to resemble a bourbon, with notes of fennel and star anise emerging. The mouthfeel was delightfully rich and creamy. For my preferences, this was not a single-noted experience but I can definitely see how it might work exceptionally well when paired with a mild cigar... Cigar... I rarely smoke them, but when I do, I recall an event where an ex-girlfriend was running around her apartment as if she were on fire. When I questioned her, she responded with a quip - there was too much smoke for a one-bedroom apartment. I kept inhaling. I knew then that I didn't want to share a larger living space. In summary, I wanted to enjoy it as is, but my inner man stuck with the cigar pairing.

When the history of American single malt is chronicled, this whiskey should be recognized as a pivotal moment. It's not only the first blend of its kind but also signifies the industry's confidence and resources to create a benchmark representing its identity. It's comparable to when Stan Lee and Jack Kirby brought Thor, Iron Man, and Hulk together as the Avengers, realizing the magnitude of that creation. What Barrell has achieved here is a blend as excellent as a Compass Box Scotch, yet unmistakably American. It's vibrant and spirited without being unrefined. Let's discuss the flavors: is there anything more American than cherry? The nose is rich with it, forming the foundation of the palate. It's not an artificial candy cherry, but a delicious, well-rounded one that is neither excessively sweet nor tart. Clove is also present, particularly on the finish, which is long and spicy, free from the off-notes or green characteristics that mar many younger craft spirits. The body is smooth and fruity, drinking much lighter than its stated strength. It tastes and feels sophisticated and cohesive. It's more than the sum of its components. If you encounter this at a bar, try it. Just avoid going on a Friday night when numerous people are vying for the attention of two unenthusiastic servers who forget your order and then assume they can keep the substantial change from your payment. Whiskey, served poorly.

This tastes and smells like an achievement. As a newcomer to American whiskey, I feel fortunate to have encountered this early on. The nose has barley, honey, vanilla, cherry, and oak, with a smokiness that evokes scotch. Oats and honey lead the palate, followed by golden raisins, more cherry, apricot preserves, brown sugar, a touch of mesquite, and smoked ham. I'd compare it favorably to a good scotch, yet it distinctly tastes American. The finish is sweet, smoky sagebrush, offering more than the sum of its components, and it pairs well with a good cigar.

A great way to conclude a tasting of American Whiskeys. I found it to be quite potent, so I poured in a good amount of water. It offered notes of fruit, sweetness, savory elements, and smoke. The empty glass was fantastic. So much to discover, not enough time. I must sample it solo to truly grasp its intricacies. Finished the bottle: My impressions didn't deepen. It's simply enjoyable. It has an oily texture, with malt, fruit, sweetness, savory notes, and smoke. A little strong. The empty glass remains superb.

This is a new experience for me. I can't say I've encountered Whiskeys quite like this. Hours have passed since my pour, yet I can still perceive the smoky finish if I concentrate intensely, akin to recalling my first time reaching second base. A delightful dram enjoyed during Easter brunch. Not something I'd revisit frequently, but enjoyable. My thanks to a friend.