The Basics: 

New England Barrel Co (sourced from Kentucky)

118.68 Proof - NCF

3.5 Year Age Statement 

$50 MSRP 

Nose:

Vanilla wafer cookie, molasses, burnt marshmallow, graham cracker, and peanut shells. 

Palate: 

Cocoa powder, caramel, light nutmeg, tannic oak, and strawberry. 

Finish:

Medium-long finish with strawberry jam, roasted walnuts, and almond butter. 

Final Thoughts:

New England Barrel Company is a relatively new entrant to the NDP market, focusing on their small batch select and single barrel programs. This small batch select bourbon is 118.68 proof, non-chill filtered, and carries a 3.5 year age statement. Certainly on the younger side, but let’s see how it tastes. The nose opens with a distinct burnt s’mores note (if you forgot to put a square of chocolate on your s’more). Graham cracker and burnt marshmallow clearly come through, as well as a bit of peanut shell, which is indicative of a younger whiskey. The palate brings cocoa powder to round out my s’mores analogy from the nose, along with a sweet caramel and strawberry flavor. As the whiskey trails off to the finish, the strawberry note intensifies with a nice touch of almond butter. Overall, this whiskey is fun to drink. I love when a whiskey instantly reminds me of other foods and candy that I enjoy, which was certainly the case here. The nose was clearly s’mores and the palate brought an almost Twix like flavor with the caramel, cocoa, and wafer cookie (maybe I am just craving sweets right now). There are certainly some youth notes present on the whiskey, but there is just enough other flavors going on that made me enjoy this pour.