Rating
81
A first-pour review of Barrell Bourbon Cigar Blend; a blend of whiskeys aged 7.5 to 18 years and finished in Madeira, Armagnac, Rum, and Hungarian Oak Casks at 111.2 proof.
Nose
This is my first pour, and right off the bat, almost immediately upon opening the bottle, there’s a bursting wave of perfumed dark fruit. Cherry, grape, and ripe strawberry leap from the glass with a vibrant sweetness. As it settles, those fruits layer beneath a warm mix of brown sugar, cinnamon spice, and a touch of candied sweetness. There’s a slightly confectionary quality to it, almost like dark fruit preserves dusted with sugar and baking spice.
Palate
On the front of the tongue, it arrives a bit light and brisk before quickly popping with a sweet cinnamon spice. The sweetness is unmistakable, very sugary, almost confection-like. A blend of white sugar and brown sugar runs through the entire sip and carries into the finish. Beneath that sweetness are notes of oak, cinnamon, and a gentle tobacco character that add some depth. Given the dark color, I expected a richer, heavier mouthfeel, but on this first pour the texture is somewhat thin and a little lighter than anticipated.
Finish
It’s not very often that I describe white sugar as a primary note on the finish, but that’s exactly what appears here. The sweetness lingers alongside hints of tobacco, leather, and mild oak. The finish holds onto that sugary character for quite a while before eventually becoming slightly dry, though that dryness arrives very late and remains fairly gentle.
Overall
This is just the first pour, so I’m hoping the sweetness settles down a bit and the mouthfeel develops a slightly richer, oilier texture as the bottle opens up. Even so, when all is said and done, this is another enjoyable expression from Barrell Craft Spirits.