Barrell Vantage Finished Straight Bourbon Whiskey

A little background

Barrell Craft Spirits (BCS), is an award winning independent blender of unique aged, cask-strength whiskey and rum. Barrell Vantage is a blend of straight bourbons finished in three distinct expressions of virgin oak: Mizunara, French, and toasted American oak casks. According to BCS, Each component whiskey in Barrell Vantage is finished separately, then systematically combined according to a blending process fueled in equal parts by a scientific approach, experience, creativity, and experimentation.

Barrell Vantage was distilled in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, and then crafted and bottled in Kentucky at cask strength, 114.44 proof. It’s an ongoing release from BCS and has a retail price of $89.99 USD.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Light Gold

Nose

Confectionary sugar, sunshine brewed tea, Buttery French toast, and butterscotch.

Palate

Candied Oranges, sweet tea, oak on the mid palate, followed by chocolate fudge. Sweet and oily!

Finish

Medium/long finish. Orange marmalade, stone fruit, Sweet vanilla taffy, and a hint of spice. A slight woody bitterness lingers.

In closing

Overall, Barrell Vantage is an exceptional finished bourbon that is proof that Barrell Craft Spirits has truly mastered their craft in the finished whiskey game. This blend of straight bourbons finished in three distinct expressions of virgin oak (Mizunara, French, and toasted American oak) has created a final product that’s expertly balanced. From the sweet and creamy buttered french toast on the nose to the sweet vanilla taffy and spice on the finish, Barrell Vantage is a treat for the senses.

NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Barrell Craft Spirits. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.