Barrell Craft Spirits run by Joe Beatrice, is a producer/blender out of Kentucky that releases multiple unique batches of barrel proof spirits throughout the year. We’ve reviewed a number of his releases and  some of our favorite whiskeys over the past few years have come from this company including Batch 005, Batch 006, Batch 011, and Batch 013. Eric noted in his Batch 013 review that Beatrice is on an impressive streak with his Barrell Bourbon batches, but with each new batch, we can’t help think that this is it, this is the one batch that finally disappoints. Pouring this batch I wondered, “could this be the one?”

The nose consists of a strong dose of milled corn mixed with oak, peaches, and baked pie crust. The palate has a satisfyingly oily mouthfeel that nicely coats your mouth. The sip itself is sweeter and contains mixtures of light vanilla, caramel, rye grain, green apple, and a heat that wasn’t noticeable in the nose. It ends on spicy and dry notes, with leather, white pepper, and rye grain leading the way, all of which are mixed with a well executed dash of heat.

It turns out Beatrice delivered the goods, because once again Batch 014 delivers a solid sip. The older bourbons used in this batch, combined with the lower than normal proof for a Barrell product results in an all around enjoyable sipper. If you haven’t experienced a Barrell Bourbon yet, Batch 014 is as good as any to start with and I doubt many will be disappointed by it.  

‍The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Barrell Craft Spirits. We thank them for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.