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New Year 2023 Limited Edition

In the whiskey industry, the past is always with you. But we’ve set ourselves apart by always keeping one eye on the future. Maybe that’s why we love celebrating the New Year so much. Each autumn, we create a very special blend of bourbons as a toast to the new beginnings and fresh energy of the year to come. Making New Year Bourbon gives us an opportunity to see the pillars of our brand through clear eyes, celebrate the inherent creativity of our blending process, and rededicate ourselves to our forward-thinking, quality-driven line of spirits. Released at the beginning of December, Barrell New Year Bourbon 2023 is a tribute to the optimism that every new year brings.

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  • A selection of 5, 6, 7, 8, 10-year-old straight bourbon whiskeys

  • Distilled in TN, IN, KY, OH, WY, NY, TX & MD

  • Crafted and bottled in Kentucky

  • 113.54 proof cask strength bottling

  • Aged in American white oak barrels

FLAVOR NOTES

Classic, with caramel on the nose, vanilla and spice on the palate, and a creamy finish. A splash of water introduces a plethora of tropical fruits to the nose while the syrupy palate displays a range of rich liqueurs.

Neat

Appearance: Chestnut brown.

Nose: A classic bourbon opening of brioche and caramel. Added to that is a woodsy underpinning of sandalwood and a wisp of smoke. It evolves through a range of sweets: amaretto, coconut macaroons, and cream soda. Gooseberry, quince, and lime cordial add a bit of lift. A range of mineral notes round it out with flint, limestone, and beeswax.

Palate: Though cask strength, the heat is kept in check by syrupy oak sugars. Black cherry soda and roasted molé take center stage. Vanilla is notably strong here and joined by fellow oak spices nutmeg, cardamom, and aniseed. The oak is well balanced by herbaceous rye notes along with rose hip, wormwood, and peppercorn.

Finish: Candied chili pepper and preserved lemon flash across the Horchata takes over as a creaminess builds, adding white chocolate, and cashew. As the flavors slowly fade, a waxiness lingers on.

With a few drops of spring water

Passionfruit, mango lassi, and ripe banana herald a broad range of tropical fruits. Meanwhile a leafy side expands, exhibiting cigar, tarragon, and peppermint. A rich sweetness overwhelms the palate, converting every note to its liqueur form: limoncello, maraschino, anisette and creme de menthe.

AWARDS​​​

  • Whisky Advocate rating of 92 (2023)

  • Whiskey Raiders 2023 Best Whiskey Awards

92
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PRESS

InsideHook lists Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023 in “The Best Bourbons of 2023 (So Far).” 

Whiskey Consensus
reviews Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023, saying, "This limited release is a true testament to the company’s commitment to producing exceptional spirits with unique blends and limited releases."

Whiskey Raiders includes Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023 in "The 6 Best Whiskeys We Tasted in February 2023."

Bourbon Bytes says Barrell Craft Spirits is “one of the greatest blenders of bourbon” in this tasting of multiple BCS products.


Uproxx includes Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023 in The Absolute Best Bourbon Whiskeys Between $90-$100, Ranked, calling it "a fun and fresh sipper."


Whiskey Raiders gives Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023 an average score of 90, calling it "a chocolate and fruit lover's dream."

Whiskey Raiders includes Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023 in their roundup of the 7 Best Whiskeys to Stay Warm With in February 2023, saying, “it’s complex yet easy to drink.”

InsideHook includes Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023 in "The Best New Whiskeys to Drink This January."​


Uproxx includes Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023 in “The 100 Best Bourbon Whiskeys Of 2022, Ranked.”

Uproxx includes Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023 in their roundup of "Fantastic Barrel Proof Bourbon Whiskeys, Blind Tasted And Ranked," saying "this works on every other level as a tasty sipper or cocktail base."

Breaking Bourbon reviews Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023. “A testament to the blending skills of Barrell Craft Spirits, New Year is a very cohesive bourbon and one you would never guess originates from distilleries located in eight different states.”

Drinkhacker reviews Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023, noting classic flavors of caramelized sugars, loads of baking spice, and vanilla custard.

The Whiskey Reviewer explores Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023, describing notes of ginger, cinnamon, and caramel.

Whiskey in my Wedding Ring reviews Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023, saying "The caramel notes on this one are delightful as an end-of-year pop."

Whiskey Raiders includes Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023 in their Monthly Roundup: Top Whiskeys Released in December 2022.


Power of Bourbon sips on Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023, calling it "another winner."

Paste Magazine features Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023, saying, "this bourbon feels equal parts familiar and slightly exotic, and the balance between sweetness and tannic dryness is a highlight."


Robb Report features Barrell New Year 2023

Whiskeyfellow reviews Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023, saying, "BCS has another winner."

Whiskey Apostle reviews Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023, describing notes of roasted marshmallow, cherry, and nutmeg, and giving it a "Stands Out/Must Try" rating.

The People’s Bourbon Review calls Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023 "a true winter bourbon," noting baking spices of nutmeg, cardamom, and turmeric.

Weekly Whiskey sips on Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023, calling it an "elegant drinking experience."

Bourbon Bytes is "blown away" by Barrell New Year 2023, naming it their #1 Whiskey of the Year. 

Uproxx ranks Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023 #2 in the article, "Brand-New Late Fall Bourbons, Blind Tasted And Ranked.

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