There’s high octane whiskey, and then there’s high octane whiskey. It is into the latter category well-regarded American non-distilling producer Barrell Bourbon typically falls with its sourced whiskey releases. We’ve reviewed several of their offerings, and now joining the mix is Barrell Bourbon Batch 008, punching high on the ABV chart at 132.8 proof.
Looking across the spectrum of previous Barrell Bourbon releases, 008 definitely hits the high-water mark for proof in the bottle. The next closest was Batch 005, which came in at a measly 124.7 proof by comparison. As for the specifics of this newest expression, it is a Tennessee whiskey which Barrell bottled in Kentucky. It was aged for 9.5 years in #4 char American white oak barrels, and has a mash bill that’s 70% corn, 25% rye, and 5 % malted barley.
Limited official tasting notes from Barrell are below for your consideration. We’ve been in touch with them about a review sample, which should be ready for you in a few weeks. In the meanwhile, get your favorite whiskey glass ready to help you handle this monster of a drink.
Late season summer sweet corn eaten buttered and salted on the cob interspersed with dried morel mushrooms that evoke the sense of walking through shafts of sunlight filtering down through a forest. Delectable fermented gains enrobed in flakey gooey apple pie. Slow cooked grits and the subtle sweetness and crispness of oak are found in the indelible finish. With darker sweetness, firmer oak, and thrilling heat, Batch 008 requires more thought but is all the more enticing because of it.
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