Barrell Bourbon New Year 2021 was reviewed by Drinkhacker, where it was described as "creamy with a generous, warming heat but exceedingly approachable, even at cask strength."
Executive Editor Jeffery Lindenmuth of Whisky Advocate selected Barrell Bourbon Batch 025 as one of the three Standout Whiskies From Winter 2020. Lindenmuth described Batch 025 as having a palate that is "wonderfully dense with fruit, including flavors of marmalade, strawberry jam, and bright tropical fruits, woven with more spice."
Whiskey Apostle reviewed Barrell Bourbon Batch 027, calling the palate “sweet and thick with cherries and honey, vanilla, pepper spice, oak, raisins, cinnamon, and chocolate fudge,” and rating it a “Must Try.”
Garden and Gun included Barrell Bourbon New Year 2021 on their list of 6 New and Distinctive Bourbons to Add to Your Collection, where it was noted that “the 113.9 proof bourbon is layered with fresh, fruity flavors.”
Whiskeyfellow reviews five samples from the Barrell Private Release Bourbon series, providing a comprehensive profile of each, as well as their ratings.
Barrell Armida was recently reviewed by Drew Beard of Drinkhacker, who described the palate as “bold and rich with a rock candy sweetness that turns more brown sugar and molasses as it evolves.”
Good Spirits News reviews Barrell Bourbon Batch 026, calling it a “truly amazing, and a fantastic whiskey that everyone should try at least once in their lives,” and giving it a rating of “A+++.”
Barrell Rye Batch 003 is included on Paste Magazine's list of the Best Whiskeys (and More!) of 2020, where it is described as having "notes of fresh rye grain, pumpernickel bread and caramel-coated green apples.'
Barrell Armida was included on Maxim’s list of The Best New American Whiskeys of 2020, noting that the unique blend creates a “complex whiskey that pairs ripe, floral pear notes with hints of spice and citrus.”
Thrillist includes Barrell Craft Spirits on their Holiday Gift Guide, "The Best Gifts for Whiskey Drinkers, According to a Master Distiller," saying, "for a bourbon-lover, it's hard to go wrong with anything they make."
Brad Japhe includes the 2020 bottling of BCS Bourbon on his Forbes list of the World’s Best Bourbon Whiskey: 2020 New Releases, calling it, "a truly captivating sipping experience."
Richard Thomas of Whiskey Reviewer reviews Barrell Whiskey Private Release AH18, noting that “this armagnac-polished whiskey has a golden look to it, and a nose that smacks of apples, pears and vanilla.”
Uproxx includes Barrell Dovetail on their list of The Best Limited Edition Bourbon Releases Of 2020, calling this year's bottling, "another multi-award-winning masterpiece."
We're excited to announce our Whisky Advocate Magazine Fall 2020 ratings. Our Private Release Whiskeys AH02, AH08, and AH10 all scored a 94. Additionally, Bourbon Batch 024 earned a 93, and Private Release AH05 and AH14 both scored a 92. Check out our results below.
As the days get colder, it's time to start making one of our favorite cocktails: the hot toddy. Check out this recipe by Amir Babayoff, the head bartender at Ophelia in New York City:
Bourbon Culture reviews Barrell Armida, saying, "Barrell Armida will challenge and reward your senses with a wide array of flavors and aromas not typically found in bourbons or ryes."
Breaking Bourbon reviews Barrell Armida saying "As you journey through this whiskey from its aroma to its palate and finally to its finish, you realize it’s on an entirely different level ... Such a complex and unexpected combination of flavors it will challenge even the most experienced whiskey drinkers."
Gateway City Whiskey Society recently reviewed Barrell Dovetail, noting, "there is a great kick to start off that transforms to a very smooth and sweet taste, causing you to want more."
In his recent article on Distiller, Jake Emen delves into the "Magic of Blending," calling BCS blending "a work of art whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts, ready to surprise and delight the aficionados who seek it out."
Susan Reigler includes Barrell Craft Spirits in "Finishing school: Whiskeys that spend time in secondary barrels," saying, "each expression is limited and will certainly appeal to adventurous whiskey lovers."
We’re honored to earn the highest award at International Beverage Competitions with a Double Gold Win for Barrell Dovetail. Our Bourbon Batches 023 and 024 won Gold.
HiConsumption includes Barrell Craft Spirits on its list of 12 Small-Batch Whiskey Distilleries You Should Know, saying that “Barrell is one of the most exceptional stand-outs.”
Paste Magazine reviews both Barrell Private Release Whiskey AH04 and AH18, describing AH04 as "quite sweet and very rich, fruit forward and also a spice bomb from start to finish," and calling AH18 an "intense, spicy cinnamon here that is very much of the “Big Red” variety."
Uproxx includes Barrell Bourbon Batch 023 on their list of Bourbons that Perfectly Bridge The Gap Between Summer And Fall, calling this release a “highly nuanced, complex bourbon.”
Drinkhacker reviews Barrell Rye Batch 001 and Batch 003, awarding these releases with a B+ and an A-, respectively. Of Rye Batch 001, they describe the finish as "generous with a gently warming heat and a subtle note of cocoa powder," while noting that the palate of Rye Batch 003 is of "slightly smoky maple syrup and green caramel apples."
Whiskey Culture reviews Barrell Dovetail, giving it a 4/5 and noting that "the blend moves through the sweetness of the port and rum in the nose, to savory in the palate, and dry and earthy on the finish."
Richard Thomas of The Whiskey Reviewer writes that sipping Barrell Whiskey Private Release AH14 was reminiscent of "eating a caramel pear [..], albeit one with a more candied character than the norm."
Paste Magazine includes Batch 023 on their list of Five More Whiskeys We're Revisiting During Quarantine, saying "it contains some oak-forward influences, maple and distinctive nuttiness."
The Manual includes Barrell Bourbon Batch 024 on their list of The Best American Whiskey For Every Kind of Father, calling this recent release "rich with dark chocolate, orange, and black pepper notes."
Bevvy reviews Barrell Rye Batch 003, stating that this release takes "creamy vanilla and dry, crackling spice — and neatly folds them into one complementary package."
Departures Magazine includes Barrell Rye Batch 003 among its list of 15 High End Spirits to Give Dad This Father’s Day, calling it "bright and vibrant with big spice and fruit notes."
Joe Beatrice offers insight into Barrell's blending process in this Distiller article by Jake Emen, providing step-by-step suggestions for at-home whiskey blending, and sharing hints from years in the trade.
VinePair includes Barrell Craft Spirits among their 30 Best Bourbon Whiskeys for Every Budget (2020), and calls Batch 023 “the product of considered, masterful blending."
Paste Magazine recently reviewed both Barrell Rum Private Release J802 and B903. They called J802, "almost overwhelmingly flavorful on first sip," and described B903 as "herbal and grassy on the nose, with notes of green apple and green plantain."
Whisky Advocate gives Barrell Bourbon Batch 023 a rating of 92, including it on their list of the 7 Barrel Proof Bourbons To Try Now, calling it "a really well-balanced whiskey, with sweetness, spice, and fruit working in harmony."
Uproxx includes Barrell's American Vatted Malt Whiskey on their list of Small Batch Whiskey for Summer Sipping. Pete Stanton, head bartender at Ai Fiori in New York City, is quoted in the article, calling this whiskey "perfect for sipping or a bold stirred cocktail."
Paste Magazine calls Barrell Bourbon Batch 023 a "powerful bourbon, but supple at the same time" and Barrell Rye Batch 003 "a very pure expression of the rye grain itself.”
Bourbon Culture reviews Batch 021 saying "there’s no denying this is a premium bourbon because the complexity and layers revealed more and more with every sip.”
Drinkhacker says Batch 023 "Drinks older than its age statement with a lush finish full of toasted pecans, cherry Juice, and baked apples. Another year, another winner from Barrell."
Adventures in Whiskey says Barrell Bourbon Batch 022 “comes across as lively and aromatic. The folks behind Barrell Bourbon are always looking to present something interesting in each batch, and they’ve certainly achieved their goal here.”
The Whiskey Jug says Barrell Bourbon Batch 022 is "nice… quite nice. The aroma sits easy and layered with the darkly sweet and rustic notes that fill this whiskey."
Breaking Bourbon reviews Batch 023 saying "as Joe Beatrice and Tripp Stimson of Barrell Craft Spirits go to great lengths to make every batch different, batch 023 once again succeeds in providing quintessential Barrell Bourbon characteristics that i’ve come to love, but with its own unique spin."
Adventures in Whiskey on Barrell Whiskey American Vatted Malt: the development in the nose and palate is astounding. Just when I think i’ve nailed a particular flavor, two more appear. It’s vibrant, complex, and most importantly delicious.
Breaking Bourbon reviews Barrell Bourbon Batches 018 and 019: With these latest batches Barrell continues to impress, and live up to its premium price point.
Modern Thirst reviews Barrell Bourbon Batch 019 "The sweetness of corn and the nuttiness is a wonderful sign that the blend of these two bourbons was well executed and not just an afterthought.”
The Whiskey Jug gives Batch 19 an A-: Fantastic, delicious and dynamic bourbon that snags your attention with the nose and then keeps you coming back sip after sip with what it delivers on the palate.
Breaking Bourbon reviews Barrell Dovetail: Barrell Craft Spirits continues to impress with a whiskey release layered in flavors that’s as satisfying as it is unique
Bourbon Smith calls Barrell Dovetail, “a great bourbon with all the best elements of rum, port and cabernet, expertly compiled into one delicious bottle.”