Barrell's last bourbon batch of 2020 is the perfect bottle to start 2021 with.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Sweet red fruits come through in full force. Strong notes of cherry with a little raspberry tartness hit first. Followed by caramel and sweet oak. Rye spice rounds things out. Overall the nose is full and robust, just a great experience all the way around.
Palate: Upfront sweet oak leads into notes of dark cherries and salted almonds. A little brown sugar and rye make their presence known in the mid palate. The back palate is full of mild baking spices. The mouthfeel is absolutely wonderful, creamy and full.
Finish: Batch 27 leaves your mouth coated with notes of sweet oak and almonds before rye and baking spices settle in. Finishes well below its proof statement of 115.7, but still leaves you with a warm and soothing Kentucky hug.
Final Thoughts
Batch 27 is the third bourbon expression from Barrell that we've reviewed in the last three months at Brbnry. Back in November we reviewed Barrell Bourbon Batch 22, which won a gold at the 2020 San Fransisco World Spirits Competition. In December we reviewed Barrell Craft Spirits 15 Year Bourbon, which Breaking Bourbon recently named one of its best bottles of 2020. And I have to say that Batch 27 is my favorite of the bunch.
With that being said, the hardest pill to swallow with any whiskey from Barrell Craft Spirts is their price point. Being a premium brand their whiskeys typically start around $80 (depending on where you live). It helps to remind yourself that each bourbon Barrell produces, is a one time limited release and typically bottled at (or near) barrel proof. When you look at it that way, Barrell's price points are competitive with annual limited release offerings from Bookers, Woodford Reserve, and Buffalo Trace.
Barrell's price points are competitive compared to annual limited releases offerings from Bookers, Woodford Reserve, and Buffalo Trace...
Does that mean Barrell's bourbon batch releases are on par with the William Larue Wellers of the world? Depending on the batch and year, I would argue they absolutely can be. Barrell Bourbon Batch 27 is a prime example. It's nose is intoxicating and robust. The palate's tasting notes are full, nuanced, and balanced. The 115.7 proof statement brings all of the flavor with the perfect amount of heat. And you can have all of this in one bottle for under $100 (depending on where you live). It's a special bourbon blended to near perfection and it's Barrell's last batch of 2020. And in my opinion at least, they saved the very best for last.
Score: 295 out of 379 Kentucky Miles (Outstanding bourbon experience)
Barrell Bourbon Batch 27 Photo Gallery
Comments