Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Tale of Two Islands Rum Finish is a blend of 5-, 6- and 9-year-old bourbons from Indiana and 5- and 16-year-old bourbons from Maryland. The bourbon is finished in barrels that previously held peated Islay single malt and Jamaican rum. The mashbill consists of 73% corn, 23% rye, and 4% malted barley.
It’s simultaneously lingering-yet-unsatisfying. The drop(s) of water Barrell recommends to open up the pour just allow it to give way to yet more mushiness. This isn’t to say it’s a bad pour, but rather it’s just unbalanced.
This bourbon has a flavor profile akin to a Mexican mole sauce—think aromas and flavors of milk chocolate, roasted nuts and seeds, sweet spices, savory herbs (thyme, rosemary, bayleaf), berries, prunes, and a touch of salt.
The end result is cinnamon and ginger sparks, grapefruit peel astringency and a surprising floral hint around a core of toasted coconut, almond and caramel.
Once again Barrell has done it. Showing unmatched prowess in not only their blending, but in the outside-the-box thinking that crafts finished whiskey like nothing else.
