Molasses | Barrel char | Leather | Dried apricot | Grass

Apricot | Rum raisin pound cake | Molasses | Brown sugar

Toasted coconut | Lavender | Plum | Toasted oak | Light “funk” | Lingering honey & ripe banana

New Holland Brewing Company’s toasted series continues to be highly anticipated among bourbon drinkers in the know, with bottles released at their Michigan locations followed by limited online sales as well. This is the first drop of the year, with batch designations of 2026A, 2026B, 2026C, and 2026D. While the other three of the 2026 releases were finished in two secondary barrels, 2026A was only finished in toasted barrels.

This isn’t the first time New Holland has finished their Origin Toasted Barrel Bourbon in used rum barrels, but it is the first they disclosed their origin. Jamaican rum is known for its “funk,” which is often the result of long fermentation with wild yeasts, pot still distillation, and dunder “sour mash” usage. Jamaican rum is often a more challenging pour as it results less in overly sweet notes than other types of rum exhibit. Though combined with Dragon’s Milk’s unique flavor profile, results in a rather interesting pour.

The aroma starts in a familiar place with molasses, barrel char, leather, and dried apricot, but also features a light grassy scent. The palate is rum-flavor-forward with apricot, rum raisin pound cake, molasses, and brown sugar. The finish is where things get more interesting thanks to notes of toasted coconut, lavender, and juicy plum. It has a light “funk” thread throughout the finish that isn’t offensive, but gives the end of the sip a slight earthy edge to it. But before it goes, the bourbon offers lingering honey and ripe banana notes.

Batch 2026D "Tropical State of Mind" is definitely the more unique of the first four 2026 Origin Toasted Barrel batches. Instead of tasting overly “rummy” or sweet, it goes for something different. Though it starts familiar, its ending takes you on a path you don’t expect. If this is your first Origin Toasted Barrel release, it might make you scratch your head wondering what the fuss is about. Though lucky enough to have tasted others, you’ll enjoy the new flavor journey this will take you one. Regardless of which, it's an enjoyable pour with a range of flavors that will keep you on your toes.