Awards for Barrell
Spring has finally arrived, and with it the results the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the largest international spirits competition in the United States. Barrell Bourbon Batch 005, Batch 006, and Barrell Whiskey Batch 002 all won prestigious Double Gold medals, which are given to entries considered outstanding and earning top marks from all judges. Barrell Bourbon Batch 006 also placed second in the Small Batch category. And we’re honored that bestselling author and spirits judge Fred Minnick chose us as his personal pick for second best in all of bourbon at this year’s competition. More than 1,850 spirits were judged this year—the largest competition in its 16-year history. Judging is blind and done by a prestigious panel of nationally recognized spirits judges. To win a Double Gold medal, all judges on a panel must unanimously agree that an entry merits a Gold medal. The full list of results will appear April 4th on their website.
Newest release: 007
We continue to pursue our goal, releasing great tasting, amazing spirits. Our latest, Barrell Bourbon Batch 007, is making its way to stores and bars across the country. Distilled in Tennessee with a mash bill is 70% corn, 25% rye, and 5% malted barley, it was aged for 5 years in char #4 American white oak barrels and bottled at 122.4 proof. Tasting notes by cocktail expert Warren Bobrow describe Batch 007 as “sizzling corn pudding in the nose, slathered in freshly churned maple butter gives way to dark, bittersweet chocolate and deeper notes of salted caramel and roasted stone fruits such as quince and plum. Bursts of citrus oils, grapefruit and Satsuma orange reveal themselves down the back of your throat along with tiny revelations of burnt sugar and salted caramel.” Warren consults about mixology and spirits, travel, organic wine and food, and is the author of Apothecary Cocktails, Whiskey Cocktails, and Bitters and Shrub Syrup Cocktails. Check out Warren's intriguing cocktails on our website.
Barrels of Barrell
Last year's private barrel program proved to be very successful. Barrels were selected for character and uniqueness by Barrell’s founder, Joe Beatrice. Financial District Wine and Caskers in NY, Harrys Wine & Liquor in CT (bought two), Gordon's in MA, Kroger and Liquor Barn in KY, and Premier Beverage in MN have all purchased a private barrel of our bourbon. In CA we released as single barrel bottled, which you can find at Certified Market, Coach House Wine & Spirits, D & M Wine & Liquor, Downer Square Bottle Shop, Idaho Market, Maplewood Market & Liquor, Rancho Liquor, Sunrise Spirits, Super Junior Market, The Bottle Shop, The Wine House, Village Square Liquor, Wine and Liquor Depot. You can also try a taste at the Chestnut Club and De Vere's Irish Pub. If you’re interested in finding out how to purchase a barrel, send an email to orders@barrellbourbon.com.
If you only read one thing this year…
This past winter was a good time to catch up on some reading, including the Whisky Advocate Winter 2015 Buying Guide. Lew Bryson, former Managing Editor of the Whisky Advocate and author of Tasting Whiskey, rated Barrell Bourbon Batch 005 at 88/100 and Batch 006 at 87/100. He also reviewed Barrell Bourbon Private Barrel #13 bottled specially for Gordon's and said "These Barrell selections are setting a high mark on consistent excellence; the Barrell Whiskey I reviewed last year in Whisky Advocate was one of my favorites of the year, and this is a kicker as well. Wise up, stop chasing the hype, and start grabbing some of these instead."
We gotta get a bigger belt!
We continue to expand across the country. In the next month we look forward to bringing Barrell to our friends in AZ, LA MI, MN, NV, TX and WA. If you live in OH, OR, PA or WY you can ask your liquor store to make a special order. If you’d like to help us get Barrell into your local liquor store send us an email and tell us where you live. Every state has different laws about liquor sales and distribution, but rest assured we’re doing our best to get our products to you.
It looks like this Internet thing’s catching on
Our new website is up! Check our Where to Buy page to find a retailer near you, or one that will ship Barrell Bourbon directly to you (where legal, of course). Keep up to date on the latest events where we’ll be pouring Barrell, and if you’re in the New York metropolitan area stop by one of the tastings we’ll be doing during the month of April. Feeling social? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest news. #cheers We enjoy finding and identifying barrels that contain distinctive bourbons and then bottle them at cask strength to retain their authentic qualities. Every barrel and every batch we bring you will be different.