Apricot | Pear | Toasted oak | Sweet raisin | Agave | Vanilla wafer | Buttercream frosting

Candied fruits | Buttery oak | Toasted oak | Coconut

Toffee | Light leather | Light molasses | Dark chocolate | Spices | Touch dry

Barrell Craft Spirits continues to expand their Black Label Series, which are limited releases with smaller batch sizes, allowing the company to do more experimentation. According to Barrell Craft Spirits, Triple Rum Cask Finish is a “unique blend by selecting a diverse set of whiskeys sourced from both the United States and Canada, with some barrels aged for as long as 25 years.” Each of these whiskeys was then finished in one of three Caribbean nation’s rum barrels - Jamaica, Barbados, or St. Lucia, before the blending process could begin.

Much like how different regions of the United States can produce widely different tasting bourbons, the same can be said of rum. Few producers have attempted to blend rum finished bourbons of different Caribbean countries. It’s a prospect that sounds as fascinating as it is uncertain.

Given how this whiskey tastes, there is likely a good amount of high aged corn whiskey in its blend. A lot of corn (and light) whiskey has entered the market over the past few years both from Indiana and Canada. These types of whiskey have been found to take well to finishes and, combined with the whiskey’s high age and proof, seems like a perfect vehicle to travel together with.

The first thing you’ll notice about this whiskey is its proof. Being a HAZMAT whiskey, that’s to be expected, but this definitely features a hot sip. Though this sip isn’t as full flavored as you’d expect it to be, given that it is a rum-finished whiskey. Much of the base whiskey flavors still come through and are generally light, fruity, and sweet. The rum flavors are well integrated within the overall flavor profile. Light notes of coconut, toffee, leather, molasses, dark chocolate, and mixed spices are all present and combined with the candied fruitiness of the base whiskey, the result is a far less traditional rum-finished whiskey than you’d expect.

Perhaps a few years ago, a whiskey this unique would have had trouble seeing the light of day. But this is exactly the type of whiskey that Barrell Craft Spirits Black Label Series allows the company to make. Barrell Whiskey Triple Rum Cask Finish is a challenging pour given its proof and flavors. Despite being well integrated, the range of rum barrels used results in sudden spikes of contrast. Given how unique this whiskey is and with no other true comparable on the market, you’ll need time to fully understand what it's offering.