Barrell Bourbon Batch 016 Review

By Randall H. Borkus

Rating: B+

Barrell Craft Spirits is a non-distiller producer (NDP), also known as an independent bottler, that uses sourced whiskey to create its magic in a bottle. They offer cask-strength expressions of predominantly American whiskeys.   The founder, Joe Beatrice, has expanded operations in Louisville, Kentucky and is developing his own distilling, barreling and aging facilities in the Derby City.

Barrell Bourbon Batch 016 is an interesting combination of select barrels chosen just for this bottling because of their consistent zesty orange essence profile according to the website.  The Whiskey age ranges from 9 years 9 months, 11 and 15 year old barrels, and it’s intense, mature and floral. The blend boasts barrels come from not only three different ages but from three different sources in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. My guess is they followed past habits and worked with the MGP (Indiana), bourbon made by George Dickel in Tullahoma, Tennessee, and a mystery Kentucky distillate.

In my opinion, this whiskey drinks a lot like MGP’s 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malt stock bourbon, combined with a twist from Diageo and a Kentucky source to make things interesting. It’s bottled at 105.8 proof (52.9% ABV).

The Bourbon
In the glass, this bourbon has a shiny new copper appearance, with thick groping legs straddling the sides of my glass with an unyielding embrace. The nose jumps up and reminds me of a Four Roses’ marriage of recipes, with its delightful floral essence bouquet married with spices and a touch of fresh cut new leather. As my senses acclimate the scent, it exudes an orange peel essence and an enjoyable oak spice. The whiskey is rather pleasing with no burn whatsoever; just an invitation to move in for more flavor pleasure.

The mouthfeel is warm and dense, coating my tongue with an oily familiarity you find in higher-end whiskies. The flavor weaves strong orange peel, honey-mint herbal essence with soft touches of vanilla and cinnamon oak spice as the flavor continues to open. The finish is long, oily and spicy reminding me of a fine high-rye whiskey with a lingering cinnamon-oak zest in the back of my throat.

The Price
Barrell Bourbon Batch 016 can be found in retail liquor stores from $79.99 to $89.00 a bottle.