Bourbon Reviews: Barrell Bourbon New Year 2021, Batch 27

This is also shy on the palate. Barrell rarely steers me wrong, but I feel there’s simply too much happening in here. There are a lot of barrels in this Barrell. I fear they tried to do too much. It’s more the parts than the sum of the parts. It’s a bit overbearing. Barrell itself has called this a cherry bomb. I think they meant full of cherries, but it’s also like a firework, because it’s hot. There is an echo of cherry on my palate but it’s too fiery for my enjoyment. It kind of sums up 2020: Too much going on and not all of it great. Final Score: 3/5 Whiskey Review: Barrell Bourbon New Year 2021 Vital Stats: 113.9 proof; aged in charred American white oak; about $90. Appearance: Light toffee; yellow ochre; yellow just shy of sunflower petals; fill me up, buttercup. Nose: I am…not quite sure what to make of this. There’s a lot going on, but I also get a strong Elmer’s glue scent. There is also like a non-malty scotch smell to it. Rooibos tea, but not the tea itself—the smell of a mug of it the next day when all the tea has been drank but the bag remains in the vessel. Rosehips, too. It smells a little like the tea shop I used to go work in when you could work in outside establishments that were not your domicile. Palate: Despite the odd nose, this is very smooth. The mouthfeel is luscious. And it has a sort of scotch but not peaty scotch on the aftertaste. Strong in barley, but not hefty. Tastes of grain but is not grainy. And it’s followed by a mild honeyed sweetness. Does it burn? Not really, though a couple later sips landed a little tingly on my lips. But this is lovely. I hope this reflects auspiciously on the just about 10 months left of this year. Maybe? Please? Yeah? Final Score: 4/5