Barrell Bourbon Ice Wine Cask Finished Bourbon Review

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Unnamed sources from Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee and Wyoming.
• MASH BILL: Barrell has computed a "derived mash bill " for all 11 whiskies, which is 71% Corn, 24% Rye, 4% Malted Barley, and 1% Wheat.
• AGE: 5 years, though whiskies as old as 15 years are in the blend
• YEAR: 2024
• PROOF: 106.52 (53.25% ABV)
• MSRP: $89.99
• BUY ONLINE: Barrell Bourbon Store Locator

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Any whiskey lover, especially those who will enjoy the surprise of a 106 proof sipper that drinks much softer. Share also with anyone who might enjoy a bang-up example of smart cask finishing.

WORTH THE PRICE: Seeing as I've tasted nothing else like it on the market, I'll say yes.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar since $90 might make you wince, but you'd not be mad if you bought it. Seeing as my press sample will surely disappear, I'll be happy to find it for $90.

OVERALL: This liquid was created either with amazing precision or incredible luck. Knowing the skill level of the team members at Barrell, I'll credit them. In the blend are six whiskies from Indiana (5-11 years), two from Kentucky (5 and 8 years), two from Tennessee (9 and 15 years) and one from Wyoming (9 years). The opportunity to create a muddied mess of fractionalized flavors was certainly there, but the opposite is what this bottle delivers.

This is a terrific pour, a first-rate example of blenders demonstrating how well they understand the components of many individual whiskies and then blending them to a degree that benefits the whole immensely–and using a unique ice wine barrel.

If Grace Kelly could come back as an elegant whiskey, this would be it. If you could liquify gold and consume it, this is how it should taste. It's 14 karat color backs my strained metaphor.

It's not immediately arresting on the nose. You have to wait to detect softer aromas of golden raisin, pastry cream and baked pastry. But don't wait on it. It's safe to really stick your proboscis into the glass. Immediately, you'll be rewarded with sparkling Riesling, fresh pineapple, lemon oil and spring flowers.

I've had good ice wine only a handful of times, and I've never forgotten that vivid grape character created by letting grapes remain on the vine until they're nearly frozen. That rarity and richness of such concentrated flavors are front and center here, so much so that I forget about the bourbons that make this warming and comforting. That sweetness and silken texture given by the barrel are welcome distractions from those whiskies.

The ice wine cask delivers up more goodies than expected–far more than so many used and underwhelming casks contribute–to create a delicious, fully rounded whole. I expected subtlety and instead got weighty mouthfeel, buoyant fruit and beautiful acidity on the finish. With all the whiskies in this mix, I'm astonished that it retains so much ice wine fruit character.

BRAND NOTES

Making an exceptional ice wine requires optimal conditions and great care throughout the entire winemaking process. The BCS blending team took the same meticulous approach in carefully selecting barrels and creating a blend of mashbills and ages to harmonize with the intense sweetness, rich texture, and lively acidity of the ice wine. The resulting bourbon is bright and complex, with a rich body, and notes of stone fruit and white chocolate.

The whiskey opens with a bouquet of fresh flowers and a fruit cocktail of strawberry, melon and white peach. The freshness is met with rich notes of iced caramel latte, white chocolate and honey toast, then evolves into sweeter and more savory profile with beeswax, kettle corn, ginger and hazelnut.

Nose: Opens with a bouquet of fresh flowers and a fruit cocktail of strawberry, melon and white peach. The freshness is met with rich notes of iced caramel latte, white chocolate and honey toast, then evolves into sweeter and more savory profile with beeswax, kettle corn, ginger and hazelnut

Palate: The palate instantly coats your mouth with sweet honey notes integrated with savory white pepper and toasted baguette. Golden raisin, apricot and white chocolate macadamia cookies permeate the midpalate with a richness that unites with notes of affogato, ginger, Brazil nuts and coconut

Finish: White pepper, beeswax, hazelnut, ginger, apricot and coconut.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.