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There is nothing indifferent about Barrell Seagrass. At 118 proof this is exceptionally smooth with the only bite coming from the rye. It is a very easy drinker and one of the most interesting and eventful pours of the year.
Miscellaneous
Barrell Seagrass is a blend of American and Canadian rye whiskeys which are finished in Martinique Rum, Malmsey Madeira wine, and Apricot Brandy casks.
Rating: 92
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| Palate |
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| Finish |
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| Uniqueness |
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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: 93
I was initially blown away by the fact that Seagrass is 118 proof yet on the nose there is very little ethanol smell. At first, the nose was of dried fruit. After that, there was a spicy rye floral note, if that makes sense. All of these notes were very mild initially. I wish I could describe it in more detail however I just don’t have a frame of reference to describe it. Oh yes, I know what it is. It has the aroma of freshly opened Band-Aids.
Palate Review - Rating: 93
The palate was extremely unique. That spicy rye floral note was not just on the nose, but on the tongue as well. I would describe it as a flowery candy that is not sweet. I have never tasted a whiskey like this, which is good. With a whiskey the last thing you want is indifference. After the first taste, that rye spice note on the nose becomes dominant. Again, I’ve never nosed anything like this. The more I sip on this the stronger the rye spice becomes and any fruitiness that was initially discernible is gone. Towards the end of the tasting, slight caramel-butterscotch comes through for a moment. This is complex.
Why haven’t I rated it higher (as if 89 is not high enough)? Imagine a concert hall filled with an orchestra of the best musicians in the world, but there is no conductor; each, great musician is doing their own thing. That is what Barrel Seagrass tastes like. There is so much complexity; a lot of flavors and notes. However, in the end, it’s often just a bunch of brilliant musicians not always working in harmony. Having said that, it is still an exceptional whiskey.
Finish Review - Rating: 88
The rye spice finish is exceptionally long. Maybe the longest of any whiskey I’ve tasted.
Uniqueness Review - Rating: 97
Without a doubt, Seagrass is a conversation piece. It would be a nice addition to any tasting simply because it is so unique. However, with anything that is this distinct you are going to have people who love it and ones who hate it.
Value Review - Rating: 85
Retail tends to be around $79.99, but Seagrass is well worth the experience.
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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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