Barrell 5 Year Old Foundation Double Barrel 100 Proof Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750mL

Barrell Foundation Double Barrel Bourbon exhibits all the complexity that you find in a Barrell Craft Spirits bourbon at a lower proof. Secondary maturation in new American oak casks enhances the notes of dark chocolate, leather, dried fruit, and toasted marshmallows, while the twenty-three percent rye in the mash bill gives a richness to the blend. This is a versatile, full-flavored bourbon perfect for enjoying neat, over ice or in a cocktail.

Tasting Notes:

Appearance: A rich, dark amber hue that glistens invitingly in the glass.

Nose: The aroma unfolds with a luscious blend of caramel and hints of milk chocolate, complemented by baked apples and a dash of pumpkin spice. Following this initial wave, notes of apple fritter, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey-roasted almonds, and orange peel emerge. As the glass fully opens, fresh orange juice, fine black pepper, vanilla, hazelnut, and chocolate-covered cherries come to the forefront, along with enticing hints of brûléed banana, warm bread pudding, and a touch of sweet leather.

Palate: The entry is warm and creamy, with flavors of orange sponge cake, lightly roasted coffee, and rich caramel leading the way. As the sip evolves, notes of cinnamon, dark chocolate, cream puff, and fresh mint emerge. With each successive sip, cherry, vanilla, and toasted marshmallow take hold, while notes of white pepper, toasted walnuts, and vibrant orange zest flicker throughout, creating a harmonious and complex experience.

Finish: The finish is smooth and lingering, with echoes of vanilla, orange, white pepper, and cinnamon that invite you back for more.

With water: Adding a drop of water enhances the experience, making it more decadent. The chocolate merges with the toasted marshmallow to become fire-roasted s'mores, while the honey-roasted almonds transform into pralines. The brûléed banana evolves into luscious bananas fosters, and the baking spices become more defined, merging with the sweeter notes for an indulgent profile that entices the senses.

"Barrell Foundation Double Barrel Bourbon builds on the original Foundation bottling, then kicks the sipping experience up a notch. Transparently, I had some hesitations on the nose; few dominant scents can sometimes (but clearly not always) indicate a milquetoast palate. Here, Barrell’s blending team has created a whiskey that builds on itself, with flavors that more than hold their own. It’s hardly the richest or most decadent blend I’ve sampled from Barrell. But it’s a truly solid workhorse bourbon the world would be silly to ignore. It’s tough to imagine a scenario in which I’d turn down a pour." - David Thomas Tao, VinePair (92 Points)

"Balanced and approachable, Barrell Foundation Double Barrel Bourbon adds richness to its standard counterpart while managing to keep oak flavors in check." - Nick Beiter, Breaking Bourbon (Well Above Average)

"Bold toffee and molasses mixed with hints of sherry, raisin, figs and dates add up to a real fruitcake of a bourbon, the finish dusted with cinnamon and clove. This is a blend of straight bourbons (KY, IN, TN and MD), averaging out to an age of 5 years" - Kara Newman, Wine Enthusiast (96 Points)

"Barrell’s original Foundation, released in 2023, was the blender’s first non-cask strength whiskey. This release builds on the original, offering the same proof point but now showcasing a double maturation in new American oak. The nose offers blueberry muffins, caramel candies, and apple cider doughnuts. The oak shines through on the palate, providing a tannic and sawdusty contrast to the whiskey’s sweeter flavors. The moderate finish leans into vanilla and oak" - Shane English, Whisky Advocate (91 Points)