Bourbon

Bourbon Review: New Holland Beer Barrel Bourbon

We review New Holland Beer Barrel Bourbon, a bourbon aged for several years by a brewery in Michigan before finishing it in their beer barrels.

OVERALL RATING

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New Holland Beer Barrel Bourbon

Tasting Notes

About:

Aged in new white American oak for an unspecified time, this bourbon hits the low end of the bourbon proof at 40% ABV. They finish off their aging in Dragons Milk barrels for three months. The bottle runs about $50 if you order it to go from the distillery.
Appearance:
This bourbon has a light hint of red in the hue, giving it the appearance of light maple syrup.
Nose:
I got red apple on the front of the nose, followed by a more dominant cotton candy. The sweetness overshadowed the fruit on subsequent sniffs. There are yeasty notes and a hint of soft caramel, banana and oak.
Palate:
Though it is not uncommon for liquors to take on a bit of a sweet antiseptic note on the first taste, this medicinal quality clung on for a couple of sips. It has a light heat and a pretty smooth mouthfeel. Once I was past the first few sips it became pretty easy to drink. It is sweet but light on bold flavors giving it an almost watery character. When the heat dissipated, I caught just a bit of spicy notes, but they were far from dominant enough to leave much an impression.
Finish:
Comments:
The nose and the palette do not line up. I was missing the fruit from the nose and never really got past the antiseptic hit from the first taste. This is a young tasting liquor which is a shame for the price point.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

John Dover

John Dover, creator and writer of the acclaimed "Johnny Scotch" series, draws inspiration from his immersive experiences as a professional musician and his extensive travels across the US. His Jazz Noir world intertwines with his music, culminating in collaborations such as the "Johnny Scotch Vignettes" with Thomas Barber, blending high-energy fusion with spoken word.

John's latest ventures include "Johnny Scotch #4" illustrated by Dan Schaefer, and the novella "A Song for Charlie." Alongside his music career, he continues to expand the "Johnny Scotch" universe through short stories and comic books.

Beyond "Johnny Scotch," John is a recognized horror writer, contributing to anthologies such as "Tales from the Braided Pony," "Monsters 'N' Things," "100 Word Horrors," and the forthcoming "Tenebrous Tales." He's also a regular entertainment writer for Mythmachine.com.

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