Barrell Bourbon New Year 2021 is a blend of straight bourbons aged 5, 9, 10, and 11 years. Blended and bottled in Kentucky, the bourbons were distilled in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, New York, Texas, Wyoming and Colorado. Bottled at cask strength of 113.9 proof. It sells for around $90.
On the palate, however, things are more balanced with mint and vanilla custard giving way to chewy caramels and citrus rind, chocolate covered raisins, and rich, spicy oak. It’s creamy with a generous, warming heat but exceedingly approachable, even at cask strength. A few drops of water bring out dark tea leaves and dried herbs.