Barrell Bourbon, Batch - 035

It's another warm sunny day, on which I head off to my local FedEx office to collect another mystery package.  On opening, my eyes rest upon a 100ml sample bottle from Barrell Craft Spirits, this time it's their 6-year-old, batch 035 bottled at 58.75% abv.

Colour: Chestnut/Oloroso Sherry

Nose: Greeted by these wonderful sweet vanilla and fresh baked bread notes with a light floral touch.

Palate: Vey complex and intense flavor initially, the fresh baked bread from nosing presents as an elegant Polish rye bread, with those spicy and rye, peppery notes warming my tongue, slightly oily surrendering to a sweet chocolate covered croissant.

Finish: Long, delicate, woody, oily but extremely textural peppery finish. 

From the 78% corn, 18% rye and 4% malted barley, mash bill this dram has it all, the buttery creaminess from the corn to those spicy rye notes; I felt like Willy Wonka on Christmas day, that was given carte blanche to the candy store.  This is most defiantly a winner and would hold its own alongside any other bourbon, for me the best they have released recently, and I've truly enjoyed their pervious expressions.

Although I never added water as I tend to enjoy my spirits at higher proof, but I can only imagine how those flavors would develop and open-up, becoming sweeter, lighter and more floral, as they did on sitting and airing in my glass for a few minutes.

Have to say, each expression from Barrell Craft Spirits company seem to get better and better, Barrell Bourbon has most defiantly become a firm favorite and a must have on my bar.

Slàinte mhath!