The more releases I try from Barrell, the more I like them. I wasn’t a huge fan of their experiments like the Barrell Infinity or the Dovetail, but their regular whiskey releases are tasty and this Barrell Bourbon Batch 021 is no exception to that rule.
That’s not to say every release they do is a stunner. I’ve had several of their core, numbered, releases that were just ok, but none that have ever been terrible. I’ve never had one and thought “well this is trash” and that’s remarkable for a company like this and shows they’re dedicated to making good stuff. To finding good whiskeys, making interesting combinations and not messing around too much. They’re the cask strength version of High West’s original vision.
Barrell Bourbon Batch 021 Review: Details and Tasting Notes
“Barrell Bourbon Batch 021 is the culmination of two separate projects used to contrast one another. The first is a blend of 10-year-old barrels from TN, IN, and KY. We sorted these barrels into 3 groups by their most defining characteristics: one group of the most corn-forward and buttery barrels, one group of the woodiest barrels, and one group of easy-drinking lower proof barrels. The result was three different ingredients, each designed to bring a particular aspect to the final product.”
Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)
Region: USA (KY, IN & TN)
Distiller: Multiple (MGP, Dickel and Heaven Hill my guess)
Mash Bill: At least 51% Corn + rye and malted barley.
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 10 Years
ABV: 53.17%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: 21
Price: $110*
Tasting Notes
EYE
Dark caramel
NOSE
Dried corn, caramel, nuts, leather, white pepper, apricots, oak and vanilla frosting.
PALATE
Corn, caramel, spice, oak, leather, hazelnuts, touch herbal and chalky.
FINISH
Long -> Corn, caramel and oak.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great balance, round full body and an oily dry feel.
Barrell Bourbon Batch 021 Review: Overall and Score
A beautiful bourbon blend. The Aroma comes through quite heavily with the “TN” component and hits with soft grain and dark sweet notes; Palate also has a lot of the “TN” whiskey coming through but paired with a deeper, bolder oak and spice; Finish is an elegant fade of it all.
It might be a blend of 3 different Straight Bourbons, but the TN component stands out the most and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was at least 50%, if not more, of the blend. There’s so much spice I feel like at least one of the other two has to be a high rye bourbon and make up the second-largest percentage. Though regardless of the actual blend, the only thing that really matters is if it’s good, and Barrell Bourbon Batch 021 is definitely good.
SCORE: 4.5/5
*Disclosure: This bourbon 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 021 Review $110
Overall
4.5- Nose (4.5)
- Palate (4.5)
- Finish (4.5)
- BBF (4.5)
User Review
0 (0 votes) Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)Barrell Bourbon Batch 021 Review Summary
A heavy bold bourbon blended from the best that KY, IN and TN have to offer. Simply delicious.
