Barely a toddler in the world of whiskey companies, Barrell Bourbon has already made its mark in the spirit world by competing against such heavyweights as Pappy Van Winkle (and doing just as well).Batch 001 weaves through a taste tapestry unlike most. Upon opening the sleek bottle and pouring a dram, according to tasting notes from Barrell, an immediate scent of sweet tobacco, stone-ground raw chocolate and crushed persimmon hits your nose. At first taste, you’re reminded of breakfast, with a velvety plate of French toast coated in butter and maple syrup. The corn is prominent throughout, then finishes still rich with aromas of spicy, dark Mexican chocolate. If you care to, add a few drops of water for an earthier flavor or minced pipe tobacco and aged fruitcake that finishes with crushed schist “dripping in raw honey simple syrup.”
Not to be messed with, Batch 001 is served to sipping enthusiasts at 122.5 proof, slightly stronger than its bourbon cousins. It is available in some retailers already, pricing at around at least $50. A good place to grab it, for example, is over at Caskers.
