MGP, of course, is the Indiana distillery that produces much of the nation’s bulk whiskey stocks, and I’ll venture a guess that it’s the source of this particular bourbon. How it ended up in barrels in Michigan, however, is a mystery (to me, at least).
Regardless, Joe Beatrice and his team at Barrell seem to have something of a Midas touch for bourbon; so far I love everything he releases. Let’s see if this one measures up.
Tasting Notes: Barrell Bourbon 010
Vital stats: 122 proof, eight years old. Distilled in Indiana. My bottle labeled #83.
Appearance: Warm copper
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Nose: No real surprises here. It’s a nice, tight, integrated set of canonical bourbon aromas: cherry, vanilla, warm oak, sandalwood, crisp toffee, and soft baking spice, mostly nutmeg. The only unexpected note I notice is a bit of lemon zest, giving it a nice freshness. It’s less vaporous than the high proof might suggest.
Palate: Gentle at first, it ramps up to a nice rye spice crescendo accented by a pleasant metallic edge. Lovely flavors of vanilla honey, beeswax, and brown butter make a soft, custard pie-like impression. The finish introduces a hint of bitterness, just enough to give it an edge. The mouth feel is oily verging on fatty. Extremely satisfying, this is like dessert in a glass. Water brings out a bit of cocoa, but I prefer it undiluted.
Final Thoughts and Score:
Barrell Bourbon 010 is more balanced and less dynamic than some of Barrell’s other offerings. It’s unarguably good—albeit not exceptional in the true meaning of the word—but a treat nonetheless, and easy to recommend.
Editor’s Note: A sample of this whiskey was provided to us by those behind it. The Whiskey Wash, while appreciative of this, kept full independent editorial control over this article.
