Barrell Seagrass Review

Barrell Seagrass is an American-Canadian blended rye finished in ex-Rum, ex-Madeira and ex-Apricot brandy casks. Separately finished, not consecutively finished; both the American and the Canadian components. If that makes sense skip on down to the next section. If you’re a bit confused, read on.

To make the Seagrass, Barrell sourced parcels of rye whiskey from the USA and CAN. Each of those parcels were broken down into batches and those batches were separately finished in ex-Martinique Rum, ex-Madeira or ex-Apricot Brandy casks. Then, when they were ready to bottle, they blended these various finished ryes together to make the final product and the whiskey currently in my glass; the one I’m about to dig into and review right now.

Barrell Seagrass – Details and Tasting Notes

Whiskey Details

Style: Rye (Finished)
Region: USA and CAN

Distiller: Undisclosed
Mash Bill: 51% Rye + Corn + Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak, ex-Bourbon, ex-Martinique Rum, ex-Madeira, ex-Apricot Brandy
Age: NAS
ABV: 59.92%

Bottle: 16,972

Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Barrell Seagrass Price: $90*

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White background tasting shot with the Barrell Seagrass bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.

“Seagrass highlights the grassy oceanside notes we love in rye and the opulence and spice of finishing barrels.” – Barrell Craft Spirits

Barrell Seagrass Tasting Notes

EYE
Dirty copper

NOSE
Rye spice, dried fruit, oak, sweet alcohol, grapey sweetness, candy and dry cologne spice.

With time, air and water, the apricot brandy notes really show and there’s a musky/cologne warmth that comes out.

PALATE
Rye spice, bergamot, dried fruit, oak, sweet alcohol, grapey sweetness, candy, dried apricots and touch of menthol and brown sugar.

Weird, unique and super interesting. This might win the year for most intriguing rye delivery.

FINISH
Long -> Rye, oak and fruity sweetness disperse to a core of spiced apricot.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Decent balance, full-body, velvety feel that turns a touch dry.

Barrell Seagrass – Overall Thoughts and Score

This is a bit weird. The rye is there, there’s no mistaking that, but so are all of the other casks listed. Give it time to breathe, and a few drops of water, and you get hints of that dark rummy sweetness on the aroma and palate; the Madeira with its grapey/winey sweetness is there from the get-go but ebbs and flows; the apricot brandy notes start light, but as it opens they grow till they’re more than just noticeable, but still less than prominent.

I’m enjoying this Barrell Seagrass neat, but it’s not something I’d reach for regularly. I could see myself having a glass now and then to break up the usual end-of-day sipping experience, but not often. Instead, this bottle will likely empty via cocktails. Put this into any rye or bourbon-based cocktail and it will instantly transform it into something totally different and possibly more exciting.

SCORE: 3/5 (above average, worth checking out ~ B- | 80-82)

*Disclosure: The bottle for this rye whiskey review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.