FOUNDATION
Barrell Foundation is the first Barrell Craft Spirits non-cask strength bourbon. We applied the same meticulous, scientific approach to blending that we put behind all of our products to this 100-proof release. Our goal was to create a versatile, easy-drinking, full-flavored bourbon perfect for enjoying neat or over ice. It's also a natural choice for cocktails that benefit from a slightly lower proof.
Barrell Foundation Bourbon is a blend of bourbons from Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Maryland, all ranging in age from five to nine years. Twenty-three percent rye in the mash bill gives Foundation richness and complexity, while the approachable proof point brings out lush sweetness and dark fruit. Your Old Fashioneds will never be the same.
BLEND COMPONENTS:
Kentucky: 8 years old
Indiana: 5, 6, & 9 years old
Tennessee: 8 years old
Maryland: 5 & 6 years old
DERIVED MASH BILL:
Corn: 73%
Rye: 23%
Malted Barley: 4%
​
-
100 proof
-
Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
​
-
San Francisco World Spirits Competition - DOUBLE GOLD (2024)
-
Whisky Advocate rating of 91
-
Wine Enthusiast Rating of 92
-
World Whiskies Awards 2024 - Best Blended Bourbon
-
World Whiskies Awards 2024 - Gold
-
Whiskey Raiders 2023 Best Whiskey Awards
.png)
FLAVOR NOTES
​
Neat
Appearance: Golden amber.
​
Nose: An initial wave of honey, candied-strawberry, dark cherry, and grilled cantaloupe greet you. Notes of lavender and fennel emerge and are balanced by cocoa, brown butter, and cardamom. Grilled peaches and hazelnut linger, followed by a burst of lemon and lime zest with a touch of oily, waxy fruit peel.
​
Palate: Maple pecans, dark chocolate and cinnamon unfold and are quickly followed by rich flavors of tiramisu and cardamom cake, with a mouthfeel to match. This expands to include hints of fennel, lemongrass, and lemon zest, balancing the creamy, full-bodied mouthfeel.
​
Finish: Creamy and sweet, emphasizing cinnamon, toffee, vanilla pudding.
​
With a splash of spring water
Even more viscous and creamy with the vanilla pudding evolving into bananas foster. The citrus zest and the lemongrass become more elevated with notes of orange sherbet.
PRESS
The Bourbon Hutch includes Barrell Foundation in their video, 7 Delicious Bourbons for Spring
​
VinePair gives Barrell Foundation a score of 91
​
Bourbon Real Talk includes Foundation in their video, The Best Whiskey of 2024 So Far, saying, "it is remarkable how good it is"
Whiskey Knows tastes Barrell Foundation and says "This is a hitter, no hands down."
Michael Veach and Matt Kohorst taste Barrell Foundation and say "this is a very good 60-80 dollar product"
​
The Whiskey Channel Dotcom! features Barrell Foundation, calling it "very complex"
​
Paste Magazine includes Barrell Rye Batch 004 and Barrell Foundation in their list of the Best Whiskeys of 2023.
​
​
What We're Drinking with Dan Dunn pairs Barrell Foundation with Memphis ribs
​
​
SLB Drinks enjoys Barrell Foundation in a blind tasting
​
Whiskey Channel Dot Com sips on Barrell Foundation, saying the flavors "work so well together"
​
The Bourbon Judge gives a "buy" rating to both Barrell Foundation and Barrell Bourbon New Year 2024
​
Whiskey Raiders reviews Barrell Foundation, calling it "super solid"
​
Bourbon Junkies taste Barrell Foundation, giving it an A+
​
The EveryDay Drinker sips on Barrell Foundation
​
2TEN90 sips on Barrell Foundation, calling it a "winner"
​
Your Drinking Buddy reviews Barrell Foundation, calling it, "Barrell's best release of the year"
​
Whiskey Raiders includes Barrell Foundation Bourbon as one their Top Whiskeys Released in October 2023.
​
Good Spirit News reviews Barrell Foundation Bourbon and calls it "A solid bourbon designed for mixing flavor forward cocktails."
​
​
Whiskey Fellow reviews Barrell Foundation saying "I believe Joe and his team took on a huge risk, which seems to have paid off."
​
The Spirits Business "With growth comes change, and Barrell Craft Spirits is leaning in. The Louisville-based blending house just celebrated its 10th anniversary, and begins a new chapter with Foundation, the brand’s first non-cask strength whiskey, announced earlier this month...While cask strength had previously been core to the Barrell identity, founder Joe Beatrice said above all else, they remain blenders who are committed to releasing the very best products they can, regardless of proof."
​
​
​