Barrell Seagrass Rye

Barrell may not distill a single drop of their own juice, but that doesn’t mean they’re not craft. The level of manipulating and caring for their spirits they have brought in from other well selected distilleries proves that they’re still playing a huge enough role in the end result in the bottle and that it is their own artistry very much on display.

Their creativity is unparalleled when it comes to cask finishing.

This stuff is wild. I don't know what mad scientist at Barrell thought to not only put American and Canadian rye whiskies into Martinique Rum, Madeira, and Apricot Brandy casks, but to also blend them together! But whomever it was definitely deserves all the praise in the world, because it's brilliant. Rye was an absolutely inspired decision as the base spirit for this expression, it wouldn't have worked with bourbon.

The funky rum notes are present throughout the whole experience but up front is a punch of nutty, creamy, and sweet madeira that opens into a dried fruit note that is dominated by but not exclusively apricot. The finish is very vegetal and reminds me of sushi grade seaweed. I love it and can't get enough!

This was not a completely objective review as it was not done blind. I was aware of what I was drinking at the time of drinking it. The bottle was purchased by myself and was not provided by Barrell Craft Spirits for review.