The Basics: 

Barrell Craft Spirits - sourced Canadian rye 

Joe’s Playlist Track #4

148.3 Proof

14 year age statement 

$130 MSRP

Nose:

Apple butter, heavy oak, orange herbal tea, mint, creamed honey, apple French toast with vanilla cream.  

Palate: 

Green apple, cinnamon, mint, honey candies, nutmeg, spiced apple cider.

Finish:

A long finish of clove, leather, and oak heavy. 

Final Thoughts:

The fourth release in Barrell’s “Joe’s Playlist”, a collection of releases available exclusively online from the distillery, is a 14-year Canadian rye whiskey at 148.3 proof. No, that is not a typo… it is a true hazmat release! This is by far the highest proof whiskey I’ve ever had the chance to try, and in case you were wondering, it does not burn out your palate like you might expect. The nose is an intense mix of apple butter, creamed honey, and French toast. Is there some ethanol on the nose? Of course, after all it is almost 75% alcohol, but there is also a complex bouquet of aromas. The palate follows through with nutmeg, spiced apple cider, and mint, before shifting into an oak and leather bomb on the finish. Overall, this is a special pour that I will slowly work through to see how the flavors change and develop overtime. The whiskey is rich, complex, and intense, which is what I would expect from a $100+ bottle. In my opinion, worth the higher price tag.