Barrell Bourbon's third release of its premium 15 year expression has high hopes and a steep price tag.
Before I get started with this review, I want to warn you that I am a big Barrell Bourbon fan. In my opinion they produce some of the best bottles of not just bourbon, but whiskey on the market today. When it comes to their bourbon releases each batch is unique and offers a one of a kind tasting experience. Which honestly is a little crazy considering that most distillers and non-distiller producers go to extreme lengths to maintain consistent taste profiles. The fact that Barrell has successfully built a premium whiskey brand without using consistent taste profiles, is a testament to just how damn good they are at what they do.
2020 marks the third year in a row that Barrell has released a 15-year-old cask strength bourbon as part of it's Barrel Craft Spirits (BCS) line-up . It's suggested retail price of $199 is definitely off putting, but Barrell's regular bourbon releases cost somewhere in the $80 and $100 range, so a super premium price tag for a 15 year limited release isn't that surprising. The problem is... if you're going to charge $200 for any bottle of bourbon, it better be out of this world good.
The fact that Barrell has successfully built a premium whiskey brand without using consistent taste profiles, is a testament to just how damn good they are at what they do.
This year's Barrell Craft Spirits 15 Year clocks in at 104.9 proof, which is exceptional for a 15 year bourbon. Barrell says it sourced juice from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee for this year's BCS offering.
The bottle comes in a beautifully designed matte black specialty box and has a unique ceramic stopper that I've never seen before. The packaging at least makes you feel like you have a special bottle on your hands, but it's no where near as premium feeling as Angel Envy's Cask Strength boxes (which are made of hardwood). But it feels more special than say Booker's specialty box, which looks nice but feels cheap.
Tasting Notes
The nose is pleasant. There's noticeable charred oak, tobacco, apple, cherry, and cocoa powder. A little bit of heat can be felt, but it's not off putting. When all of the notes come together they remind me of cherry Pepsi, which I typically associate with bourbon's from Knob Creek. That's a good thing (if you're a Knob fan).
The palate is full of rich oak notes, dark fruits, sweet honey, and subtle rye notes. The mouthfeel is a little thin, but the tasting notes are robust enough to make-up for it's thinness. As a whole the palate is oak forward but balanced out nicely with dark fruit notes that soften the experience.
The finish is very impressive for a 15 year 104.9 proof bourbon. It's full of flavor and warmth that sticks around just long enough to miss it once it's gone. The only hang-up for me is the oak turns peppery in the finish. It takes a few pours to get use to the pepperiness of the finish. Not a deal breaker by any means, just a different kind of note to finish on.
The problem is... if you're going to charge $200 for any bottle of bourbon, it better be out of this world good.
Closing Thoughts
$200 is a lot of money to pay for any bottle of bourbon, or whiskey for that matter. Even though I am a huge fan of Barrell's whiskeys, I cannot say that this bottle is worth the two Benjamins (plus tax) for the average or new-ish bourbon enthusiasts. There are just too many other bourbons at better price points that offer just as good of an experience as this 15 year bottle of Barrell Bourbon Craft Spirits.
If you're a Barrell Bourbon diehard and have a burning desire to try one of their special releases, then this is the bottle for you. It's a great 15 year expression of bourbon. It's not overly "oaked" or dry, which is the norm for 12+ year old bourbons. And it's 104.9 proof point is almost unheard of for a bourbon this old. The problem for me is that it doesn't standout enough from Barrell's regular bourbon batch releases.
Barrell's 2020 Craft Spirits 15 year bourbon is a bottle that I feel fortunate enough to have experienced, but I won't be rushing out the door to find another bottle due to its lofty price tag.
Final Score: 275 out of 379 Kentucky Miles ( very good, but expensive )
Barrell Bourbon Craft Spirits 15 Year Photo Gallery
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