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This is a fresh crack review of Barrell Foundation Bourbon from my favorite non-distiller producer, Barrell Craft Spirits. Barrell Foundation Bourbon is their first ever non-cask strength bourbon at only $54.99, and it is a beautifully balanced and tasty expression with a derived mashbill of 73% corn, 23% rye, and 4% malted barley. This is a good one!
Rating: 86
| Nose |
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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: 83
The nose of Barrell Foundation Bourbon is subtle with a caramel marzipan base. It is pleasantly sweet and creamy with vanilla, mild cinnamon, and rye spice blend. Do not expect the nose to overpower or punch you in the face. This is a nosing that you ease into and simply enjoy unhurriedly as it grows. It can best be described as pleasant, with a bit of ethanol. Yeah, there's a little cherry spice too. Interestingly, the aroma gets more dense and creamy the deeper you get into the tasting experience, so be patient. Barrell Foundation Bourbon has a beautiful toasted sugar, almond, and hazelnut aroma in addition to the other notes previously mentioned.
Palate Review - Rating: 87
The first thing I sense on the palate of Barrell Foundation Bourbon is buttercream notes. It is similar to what I get on the nose. This bourbon is silky smooth (I hate using that word) and dangerous, with an equal spice and creamy-sweetness ratio. A little tropical fruit, tobacco, and mint mixed together with vanilla-flavored pastry cream with a condensed milk sweetness. However, the spice becomes more pronounced later in the tasting with some modest tobacco notes. But I'm not mad. This is Barrell Craft Spirits' first non-cask strength offering, and it is perfect at this 54.99 price point. That is, if you want a delicate, pleasant, and flavorful-tasting experience that won't hurt your pocket. 50/50 spice sweetness blend.
Finish Review - Rating: 82
The finish only goes partially dry, but it maintains the spice and tobacco notes. However, the finish is decently long, especially for a 100-proof bourbon. The finish retains the spice/sweet ration, too. Tasty!
Uniqueness Review - Rating: 80
I struggle with rating the uniqueness of Barrell Foundation Bourbon. What makes it different is the achieved balance of the tasting experience. However, this is, quite possibly, the most balanced bourbon under $55.
Value Review - Rating: 95
At $54.99, the tasting experience supersedes the price. One of the top 3 best values on the market today.
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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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