GRAY LABEL WHISKEY
BCS Gray Label Whiskey began with two selections of 24-year Canadian whiskey barrels: one set was fruit-forward and tropical, and one was woody, with a light floral aroma. A portion of the fruit-forward blend was transferred into Oloroso Sherry barrels and a portion of the floral and earthy blend was transferred into Armagnac casks. The remaining whiskey from the two groups was then combined to mingle. When the timing and flavor from the finishing casks peaked, the three components were carefully blended together.
Gray Label Whiskey Release 2
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Matured for 24 years
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Distilled in Canada
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Aged in the US and Canada
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Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
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121.64 proof cask strength bottling
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FLAVOR NOTES
The mature, spicy whiskey is front and center, reminiscent of wheat fields edged with wildflowers. There is a rare and noteworthy concentration of aroma, enriched with a candy sweetness and leafy earthiness from the finishing casks, that calls to mind a toasty Belgian waffle.
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Neat
Appearance: Pale straw with steaks of dark amber.
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Nose: Meticulously layered, with aromas from every stage of production, from field to distillation, to aging, to finishing. The whiskey’s floral character manifests elderflower, with maple and lavender tucked in as well. Notes of rosehip jelly and candied plum, indicative of Armagnac barrels, blend seamlessly with those of fresh, tropical fruit. The grassiness of the whiskey transitions to the nutty character of the oloroso cask. Notes of ginger, wintergreen, and pine pitch are present though the whiskey is not especially woody.
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Palate: More oaky than the nose, as suggested by butterscotch, coconut milk, and root beer, nearly obscuring the Canadian whiskey’s trademark green apple brightness. There is a concentration of honeydew melon, gooseberry, and old English cider apples. Meanwhile the earthiness expands to include olive oil, sunflower seed, and licorice root.
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Finish: The spirit’s herbaceous side takes center stage, starting with tarragon, shiso, and spearmint. Spicier notes follow, among them caraway, cardamom, and fennel-seeds. A marine-like minerality lingers, mostly salt with hints of weathered herbs.
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With a few drops of spring water
The fruit notes on the nose shift from fresh to cooked, with grilled peach and pineapple joined by apple pie and dried orange peel. The floral notes, get richer, displaying saffron, propolis, and orange blossom honey. The palate gets tangier, with yogurt and malt vinegar lending a welcome brightness to the earthy sesame and maple syrup flavors.
Previous Gray Label Whiskey Releases
RELEASE 1
25-year-old American Whiskey
Distilled and aged in Indiana
Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
111.2 proof cask strength bottling
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At 25 years old, Barrell Craft Spirits Whiskey offers the depth of highly matured whiskey complemented by a Sercial Madeira barrel finish. The underlying dry nuttiness of Sercial Madeira adds a new dimension to the whiskey that is exceptional.
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AWARDS
Whisky Advocate Rating of 93
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FLAVOR NOTES​
Neat
Appearance: Golden Brown with goldenrod highlights and umber lowlights.
Nose: Opens on medjool dates, honeydew melon, butterscotch and light molasses. The nose then expands in many directions at once, evolving additional fruit in the form of Montmorency cherry and dried apricot; floral aromas of apple blossom and fennel pollen; mineral notes of gravel, sea shells, and salt; and some notes that only come from a long, slow maturation, such as Palo Cortado sherry, mastic, and unlit cigar.
Palate: Halva, molasses and chocolate syrup make for a sweet entry, but they’re quickly balanced by tart fruit: kiwi, dragon fruit, and meyer lemon. A subtle array of herbs and spices lend the palate depth, evolving cinnamon, juniper, and anise hyssop.
Finish: Deeper and darker than the palate, its pastry notes are fuller, like oatmeal cookie and ganache; its fruit notes less piquant, such as purple plum, husk cherry and lemon sherbet. Flavors of rosemary and nutmeg recall the spicy and herbaceous notes from before, while a salty touch seems to magnify flavors and make the mouth water for another sip.
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With a few drops of spring water
Delicate notes previously obscured by oak are allowed now to drift up to the surface, with the nose exhibiting alfalfa, poppy and honeysuckle; the palate gaining the floral and complex flavors of pear and passionfruit; and the finish growing creamy, with notes of coconut water, horchata, and cashew.