American

Whiskey Review: Barrell Rye Batch 001

We review Barrell Craft Spirits very first rye whiskey, the aptly named Barrell Rye 001.

OVERALL RATING

9
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Tasting Notes

About:

About $80; distilled and aged in Indiana and Tennessee, crafted and bottled in Kentucky; aged for four years, six months in American white oak; mash bill of rye, corn, and malted barley.
Appearance:
Golden honey, a lit match that’s burning down to your fingertips. In the glass, it appears almost silky. Kind of sexy, actually–if you like rye that much.
Nose:
A high proof smell…with a sweet undertone. Some smells of autumn, too: hay, a brisk October breeze, a caramel-coated honeycrisp apple.
Palate:
Ok, so it’s got that high-proof octane. And like many ryes, it comes in a little hot, then spicy. But then…but then! It it warms to a desserty sweetness, without being sugary or saccharine. Sweet couples with umami. Honey on toast. Marshmallows. And a fruity dessert with some heft: bananas foster, lemon merengue pie, the perfectly fired shatter of the sugar crust on a crème brulee.
Finish:
Comments:
Barrell Rye 001 is bananas—in a good way! To have all this Willy Wonka kind of delectable surprise in a rye is just delightful. And right out of the gate, no less. It’s a sweet rye but not too sweet. A fantastic and delicate sipper!

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.

Carin Moonin

Carin Moonin swapped a 5th-floor walkup in Hoboken, NJ, for a house in SE Portland a decade ago and hasn't looked back. She appreciates Portland's vibrant whiskey scene, finding it complements both the weather and her mood. Carin enjoys exploring the diverse world of brown liquor and its many facets. Her writing has been featured in publications such as Salon.com, DailyDot.com, Willamette Week, Portland Monthly, and others. When she's not indulging in whiskey or writing about it, you can find Carin running, reading, or on the hunt for free samples in grocery stores.

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