The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
By Douglas Fraser
Rating: A-
Barrell Bourbon Batch 32
(Credit: Douglas Fraser)
Barrell Craft Spirits is an independent blender and bottler of whiskeys and other spirits, based in Louisville, KY. So far, they have created 32 unique batches of their signature bourbon, all bottled at cask strength. Each release is its own different expression, as they are drawn from different distilleries, and then matured, blended and bottled at varying proofs.
As for Barrell Bourbon Batch 32, I got bottle number 14,687. One lot for this batch is a mix of 5 and 6-year-old barrels, and the second is a mix of 6, 7 and 10-year-old barrels. The bourbon for those two lots was sourced from three different states: Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana. Batch 32 was botted (as always) at cask strength, this time 115.34 proof/57.67% ABV.
The Bourbon
The color here is tawny, and the nose starts off light then dives deep into some fruity bourbon notes of orange peel and cherry. Those fruity aromas then fade into more traditional notes of charred oak, vanilla, brown sugar, and subtle hints of sawdust and buttered popcorn. Upon taking my first sip, I noticed a high level of intensity on the palate. Tasting on the younger side, I was able to detect notes of cinnamon, toasted marshmallow, oak, vanilla, ginger, and a slight cherry note. The finish is long and warming with fading sweetness but subtle lingering notes of cherry, oak, and vanilla.
The Price
The DSRP for Barrell Bourbon Batch 32 is $85.
