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Barrell Bourbon Batch 32 packs a zesty but ordinary experience. It has a very, very mild cinnamon spice on the nose. A brazen and almost unforgiving cinnamon spice on the palate with very mild caramel undercurrents. A nice long spicy finish. It does not have the complexity nor the creaminess that I’m used to with Barrell products. Of course, it’s only a 5-year bourbon at its core. Read further for a more detailed review.
Rating: 78
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| Palate |
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| Finish |
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| Uniqueness |
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| Value |
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Ratings breakdown based on a 100 point scale.
- 90-100 Exceptional
- 80-89 Very Good
- 70-79 Average
- 60-69 Below Average
- 50-60 Drain Pour
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Detailed Tasting Notes
Nose Review - Rating: 79
From the very beginning, the nose of Barrell Batch 032 is very mild and not complex. Initially, there’s a very mild cinnamon spice and no ethanol aroma at all. The deeper you get into the tasting, the more caramel you can sense on the nose. Still, all of the notes are very mild.
Palate Review - Rating: 78
On the palate, the spice kicks in full force. The cinnamon spice is bold and unforgiving, with a layer of buttery creaminess lingering precariously under the healthy doses of spice. There’s also a bit of mustiness that is there as well. The cinnamon evolves into a black pepper spice as you get deeper into the tasting experience. It is relatively smooth but warm for a 115.34 proof bourbon.
Barrell describes this as a selection of 5 and 6-year-old barrels with a creamy and tropical profile and a selection of 6, 7, and 10-year-old barrels vatted for their complex, old, woody character. However, I do not taste any of the tropical profiles.
Finish Review - Rating: 83
The finish is nice and extended with the same notes seen on the palate; however, the heat on the back of the throat can be a little feisty.
Uniqueness Review - Rating: 75
Let's be clear about this, there is not much unique about Barrell Batch 032. I find this similar to Old Ezra 7, but not as good nor as creamy. There are a myriad of bourbons within this spicy profile.
Value Review - Rating: 72
While Barrell Craft Spirits are my favorite blender and finisher of whiskeys, I cannot justify the $79.99 retail price of this particular blend.
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Smell IS taste. I am just a guy who has been hit with the bourbon bug and who has come to the conclusion that life is too short to drink average tasting bourbons. Go Gators!
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