Barrell Bourbon New Year 2021 Cask Strength

Barrell Bourbon New Year 2021 is a limited-edition blend of 5-, 9-, 10- and 11-year-old straight bourbons, sourced from an unusually broad seven-state range: Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, New York, Texas, Wyoming and Colorado. Bottled at 113.9 proof (56.95% ABV) cask strength, it’s a particularly interesting example of Barrell Craft Spirits’ blending approach, marrying mature Kentucky/Tennessee/Indiana whiskey with younger craft bourbon components from around the country. 

The nose is bright and fruit-driven, showing apple, peach, gooseberry and watermelon rind, backed by toasted almond, vanilla, coconut and fresh oak. The palate has good weight despite relatively restrained tannin, developing persimmon, raisin, lemon, black tea, herbs and baking spice. The finish turns more mineral and spicy, with flint, wild mint, clove and floral notes. A little water brings forward the whiskey’s sweeter honeyed, waxy and floral character. 

This was a well-regarded release—Whisky Advocate scored it 93 points—and its combination of four age groups and seven states makes it considerably more distinctive than a standard Barrell batch. 

Details

• Producer: Barrell Craft Spirits
• Release: New Year 2021
• Type: Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
• Ages: 5, 9, 10 & 11 years
• Distilled: KY, TN, IN, NY, TX, WY & CO
• Crafted/Bottled: Kentucky
• Cask: American white oak
• Proof: 113.9
• ABV: 56.95%
• Strength: Cask Strength
• Size: 750ml