Bourbon

Bourbon Review: Barrell Bourbon 012

We review Barrell Bourbon batch 012, a sourced nine-year-old bourbon distilled and aged in Tennessee and bottled at cask strength.

OVERALL RATING

8
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Tasting Notes

About:

9 years old, 108.5 proof, distilled in Tennessee. 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley.
Appearance:
A medium, somewhat brassy amber.
Nose:
A warm prickle greets the nose. There’s vanilla, cherry, banana bread, cornbread, and a bit of dill. It’s somewhat brandy-like, with soft oak, a sweetness that tends more towards honey than caramel, and chalk. Water mutes the corn and fruit, leaving the scent a little one-dimensional.
Palate:
Gentle at first, the amplitude builds over time. There’s lots of spice here, more in the realm of black pepper and chili than holiday spice, as well as an interesting fruity acidity. This is a pretty dry bourbon, with a good dollop of oak and salt to cut any sweetness. The finish is long and mineral-driven, with a chalky, vitamin-like aspect. I love the proof: full-flavored, but not unpleasantly hot. The addition of a little water cuts the tannin and brings out some rounded vanilla and coconut tones.
Finish:
Comments:
Barrell 012 is a little more rough-and-tumble than its older brethren, a little less refined, but there’s still lots to like. It has lovely age, hearty spice, and an intriguing minerality, all packaged at the perfect proof. A great candidate for a hearty pour over a cube or two of ice.

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.

Margarett Waterbury

Margarett Waterbury is the author of "Scotch: A Complete Introduction to Scotland's Whiskies" and a full-time freelance writer and editor specializing in the beverage industry. Her work has graced the pages of numerous publications, including Whisky Advocate, Food and Wine, Spirited Magazine, Artisan Spirit, Edible Seattle, Sip Northwest, Civil Eats, Travel Oregon, and many others. She also boasts editorial experience as the former managing editor of Edible Portland and as a co-founder and former managing editor of The Whiskey Wash. In recognition of her talent, Margarett received the Alan Lodge Young Drinks Writer of the Year award in 2017 and was awarded fellowships for the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers in 2017 and 2019.

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