If you’ve read any of my other Barrell reviews, you know I’m a fan. However, the standard releases are blends that are meticulously created by founder Joe Beatrice and master distiller Tripp Stimson. For Barrell’s single barrel program, barrels are first identified by Beatrice and Stimson as having the quality to be bottled without being blended, and then put out to the market along with other options to be selected by a retailer or private barrel club pick to bottle as their own. This particular one was selected by Third Base Market & Spirits.

This single barrel is big Barrell flavor all the way...and I love it. Aromas of orange peel, seasoned wood, cornbread, and sweet caramel characterize the nose. The sip enters with an intense wave of spice that has a cinnamon-rye quality to it. Sugary sweet caramel and charred oak rest underneath. The spice holds its own into the finish, which is as robust as it is long. Hints of caramelized oak and dark fruit mingle in as well. Overall it’s as bold as it is delicious.

Remember I said it’s big? Well it comes in at a whopping 133.7 proof, which is on the high side for Barrell. In fact, it’s higher than any of their batches released so far, with the closest being Batch 008 at 132.84 proof. I don’t always like high proof, but when it’s pulled off nicely it can be really fantastic. This one nails it, and really gets me excited to try other single barrel Barrell Bourbon selections.  

The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Third Base Market & Spirits. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.