The Pinnacle of American Whiskey at a Strikingly Affordable Price
Barrell Craft Spirits “Batch #25” Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($79.99)
“…a contender as American whiskey of the year.” — Fred Minnick on Barrell Batch #25

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When world-renowned whiskey writer/blogger Fred Minnick, calls a bottling a contender for whiskey of the year, we sit up and take notice. When that bottling is priced at only $79.99, we not only jump for joy, but we also start shouting from the rooftops. The truth is, even without the critical adoration, the Barrell Bourbon “Batch #25” would be on our own shortlist for the top bourbons of 2020. As our NorCal spirits buyer, Andrew Whiteley, describes it: “Batch #25 is a step up to the next level. It’s balanced and energetic in a beautiful way, while capturing the very best each of its components has to offer.” This is seriously good bourbon, delivering a whirl of flavors and scents that include marzipan, brown sugar, honey, caramel, nuts, and peppercorn. Barrell Craft Spirits is responsible for some of the best bourbons we’ve had in recent years, and this expression is wheated—a first for Barrell. Given how hot the bourbon market is now, it is unbelievable that a bottling this good can be had for such an affordable price. Once word gets out, we don’t expect our allocation to last for long, so make sure you don’t miss out on what could very well be the top bourbon opportunity of the year..

Barrell Craft Spirits “Batch #25” Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($79.99)

Barrell Craft Spirits has established themselves as the premier independent bottler of American whiskey on the market today. They focus their efforts on blending, barrel selection, and ferreting out interesting and unusual mashbills. While every new batch from Barrell draws a lot of attention, #25 is the first batch to incorporate any wheated bourbon. This combination of 5.5-, 9-, 13-, and 15-year-old whiskies from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee shows exactly why Barrell has made their name with artful blends. While it hasn’t been awarded yet, it definitely deserves the hype Fred Minnick bestowed upon it when he said it’s “a contender for American whiskey of the year.”

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 06, 2020

At first pour this feels like a real powerhouse that’ll just bowl you over. However, if you let it sit in the glass a while and open up, it really begins to strut. Marzipan and chocolates mix with brown sugar and cracked black and white peppercorns. It is a fully mouth-coating whiskey but the tannins are more refined than most ‘big’ whiskies. Rather than one big grip on your tongue, it’s like 1000 little tugs all over your palate. The finish offers a bit of singed oak, lots of salted caramel, and again a distinct honeyed/caramelized almond note. While Barrell has long been regarded as America’s premier independent bottler and has won many accolades for their work, Batch #25 is a step up to the next level. It’s balanced and energetic in a beautiful way while capturing the very best each of its components has to offer. The younger (yet very respectable 5.5- and 9-year-old) wheated bourbon softens the older 13- and 15-year-old corn forward mash bills and provides a richness to the mouthfeel without dominating with an overtly creamy profile. No doubt one of the best releases this year from anyone.