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Barrell Private Release Whiskey DJA2 finished in Saint Agrestis Brooklyn Amaro Cask, is a rollercoaster of complex flavors and aromas. According to Barrell Craft Spirits, this whiskey is a carefully selected blend of Indiana and Kentucky whiskeys finished in a St. Agrestis Brooklyn Amaro Cask. The notes in this review parrot the strong influence of the St. Agrestis Amaro, which contains twenty herbs, spices, flowers, roots, seeds, and citrus that are individually soaked in cane distillate and then aged in bourbon barrels. The private release whiskey blend is then married in single casks that once contained this complex herbal liqueur. Here's my review.
Rating: 81
| 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: 84
What a wonderful, delicate nose with a rhubarb and thick vanilla cream aroma. It soon transforms into a subtle caramel Coca-Cola that leans towards a cream soda. Below these intriguing layers lies a very slight ethanol smell that intermingles with the notes mentioned above throughout the nosing experience. The caramel cola aroma makes a lasting impression.
Palate Review - Rating: 78
On the palate of Barrell Private Release Saint Agrestis Brooklyn Amaro Cask Finish, you are reminded that this is an unabashed whiskey, not a bourbon mellowed by aged oak. You taste the bite of the ethanol of this 123.22 proof whiskey immediately. The spice-driven palate, mainly clove and allspice, is strong towards the mid-palate and beyond. The allspice-clove mix almost takes over until the dry cola and black pepper emerge. Interestingly, this engaging whiskey has a slight oiliness, which is not typical of a non-bourbon or non-rye whiskey.
Later in the tasting experience, the flavor became minty with a slight rhubarb tinge without the tartness. This is not your typical tasting experience. Is the roller coaster of adventures and notes. Make no mistake about it; this is not a whiskey that you would use the term "smooth" to describe.
I probably should rate the palate slightly higher because of its complexity but can't get past its abrasiveness. This is my first pour, so let's see if it evens out in subsequent pours.
Finish Review - Rating: 82
On the finish, rhubarb, cola, and tobacco stand out. All of these notes, including an enthusiastic whiskey warmth, start from the mid-palate and extend well into the finish. The heat smacks the back of your throat and stays there even as the warmth of the whiskey camps out in your esophagus.
Uniqueness Review - Rating: 84
It almost seems like everything Barrell Craft Spirit blends is unique. Barrell Private Release Whiskey DJA2 (Saint Agrestis Brooklyn Amaro Cask) is not exception.
Value Review - Rating: 76
Barrell Craft Spirits provided the sample for this tasting. I am not certain of the price but typically their Private Release Whiskeys are in the $100 range. If that's the case here, you will need to determine if having a unique tasting experience is worth the hefty price.
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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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