Over the years I’ve had several of the Barrell releases and, for the most part, they’ve been good if not great; I have fond memories, ok notes and blurry photos, of batch 13 which was the first one to truly catch my attention. Until this week I’ve never sat down and done a serious review of any of their releases and with the Infinite Barrel and Dovetail in the past, it’s time to turn our senses to this, the Barrell Bourbon Batch 19.
Before we get into the bourbon review I should point out, since I brought it up, the differences between Batch 13 and Batch 19. Batch 13 was a mix of Tennessee and Indiana bourbon aged for 5 – 8 years. Batch 19 is a mix of Tennessee and Kentucky bourbon aged for 9 1/2 to 14 years. So there should be a less-than-nuanced difference between them.
Barrell Bourbon Batch 19 Review: Details and Tasting Notes
In Barrell Craft Spirit’s Words:
Barrell Bourbon Batch 019 is a study in complexity. We sorted a careful selection of 9.5 to 14-year-old barrels from Kentucky and Tennessee into 5 groups. We then blended portions of those 5 groups together to maximize the unique qualities of each.
Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)
Region: USA (Tennessee and Kentucky)
Distiller: Various
Mash Bill: At least 51% Corn + Rye + Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 9 1/2 Years
ABV: 54.7%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: 019
Bottle: 5,449
Price: $100*
Tasting Notes
EYE
Polished oak
NOSE
Spicy and fruity with notes of baking spice dried dark fruit, oak, caramel and nuts with a touch of cocoa and dried corn.
PALATE
Rustic profile lead by oak and baking spice followed by notes of nuts, musty dried corn and some toffee, vanilla taffy and char.
FINISH
Long -> Oak, caramel, nuts and char.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great sense of balance, round full body and an oily feel.
Barrell Bourbon Batch 19 Review: Overall and Score
One part Kentucky, one part Tennessee, wholly awesome. The Aroma hits with a strong oak and spice presence that’s rich and warming; Palate is a tad chalky but carries a heavy bourbon profile sitting at equal parts sweet and rustic and carrying more of a Kentucky accent than a Tennessee one; The Finish is a slow fade of the core palate.
First sniff of the Barrell Bourbon Batch 19 immediately makes me think “Four Roses”, but as I sit and take my time some of the musty dried corn GD profile shows; it’s light and never blossoms. Adding water only brings out more cocoa. First sip of the palate had me thinking “Booker’s” but as it opened I got more of that GD profile, though with water the peanut notes do kick up a bit.
The Tennessee portion can only, really, be from George Dickel, but the Kentucky portion could come from just about anyone. The most likely culprits are Barton and Heaven Hill, who can have a nutty profile, but the other guys also let barrels out now and then. It’s likely Heaven Hill, but without the brand disclosing it’s anyone’s guess.
SCORE: 90/100 (A-)
*Disclosure: This Barrell Bourbon Batch 19 was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Barrell Bourbon Batch 19 Review 100
- Nose - 90
- Palate - 90
- Finish - 90
- Balance, Body & Feel - 90
Barrell Bourbon Batch 19 Review Summary
Barrell Bourbon Batch 19 is a fantastic, delicious and dynamic bourbon that snags your attention with the nose and then keeps you coming back sip after sip with what it delivers on the palate.
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