Bourbon Review Round Up: Barrell Bourbon Batch 11/Barrell Whiskey Batch 4

s beyond bourbon, Barrell’s Batch 001 rum has already won multiple awards, including Best Over Proof Rum and a Double Gold Medal, both at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Can the 004 and 011 keep up Barrell’s good work? Let’s find out. image via Barrell Tasting Notes: Barrell Cask Strength American Whiskey, Batch 004 Vital stats: 120.6 proof; aged 11 years in used American oak barrels, finished in rum casks and rye barrels; distilled in Indiana and Tennessee, and crafted and bottled in Kentucky. Color: Light brown, citronella oil Nose: Well-rounded, and a little fruity. Kiwi fruit, cranberries, cocoa powder, along with light brown sugar. Palate: This is really, really nice! Good balance: A light bubbling of heat, honey, and bittersweet chocolate. It doesn’t leave much of an afterburn, either, despite the high proof. The more it sits and the more I taste, the more the rum quality comes out…but it’s not sticky sweet. A nice, round mouthful is the best way I’d describe this. Final Thoughts and Score: I adore this. It retains its innate whiskey quality while offering something more dimensional. Batch 004’s aging in rum barrels brings dimension and complexity: a shine, like expensive salon highlights versus boxed hair color. Tasting Notes: Barrell Bourbon, Batch 011 Vital stats: 114.8 proof; aged six years in American oak barrels; mash bill of 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley; distilled and aged in Tennessee and crafted and bottled in Kentucky; Color: Gold meets mahogany; 18-hour fumed oak Nose: Spring tree pollen, fresh-turned earth on a dry day, pecorino-parmesan cheese, with a bit of an “after-smell” of banana peel Palate: Alcohol-forward, dry cinnamon, and finishes with a sharpened pencil quality (the smell and taste, not the injurious pointiness). A few drops of water or gentle melting ice opens it up a little. Some might like that, but I prefer my whiskey neat. I can tell this is a superior product and I respect its quality…but it doesn’t ring my bell. Final Thoughts and Score: This falls into the “I really want to like this, but it falls short, especially compared to what’s possible.” Sort of like when the person you really like turns out to have qualities you aren’t super-fond of, like snoring.