NEW YEAR
New Year. New beginnings. New traditions. The new year is a time of renewal and fresh starts, a chance to reflect on past accomplishments and look to what lies ahead. Barrell New Year Bourbon 2025 celebrates the possibilities and optimism that every new year brings.
2025 New Year Bourbon
BLEND COMPONENTS:
Kentucky Bourbon: 5, 6, & 9 years old
Indiana Bourbon: 5, 6, 7, 11, & 12 years old
Tennessee Bourbon: 8, 9, & 15 years old
Wyoming Bourbon: 9 & 12 years old
New York Bourbon: 5 years old
Texas Bourbon: 5 years old
Ohio Bourbon: 5 years old
Maryland Bourbon: 6 & 7 years old
DERIVED MASH BILL:
Corn: 75%
Rye: 20%
Malted Barley: 4%
Wheat: 1%
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A blend of straight bourbon Whiskeys
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Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
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112.1 proof cask strength bottling
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FLAVOR NOTES
A gentle cask influence underlies the palate while it builds on the diversity of fruit and herbs. An initial note of candied pineapple hints at a tropical depth revealed only with a splash of water.
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Neat
Appearance: Radiant copper.
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Nose: Undertones of chamomile tea and a squeeze of lemon, followed by chardonnay and pear. Dried pineapple nods toward a hidden tropical depth. A richness is revealed by notes of beeswax, wheat cracker and white chocolate. There’s a vibrant piquancy that conjures ginger ale as well as just a hint of minerality.
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Palate: A whole host of herbs typical of alpine liqueurs, notably thyme, lemon balm, and peppermint. Juicy notes of Meyer lemon and key lime pie recall the citrusy aroma. The fruit then diverges, adding lychee and grape soda. While initially subdued, the oak gains steam over time, carrying with it allspice and vanilla.
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Finish: A brief flash of wasabi jolts all the senses awake. Oils coat the palate, notably tea tree and grapefruit, but also a note of fried plantain. Maraschino liqueur, rosehip and coconut water linger.
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With a few drops of spring water
It blooms with the tropical papaya, passionfruit and orange marmalade. The fruits keep coming: tart cherry, applesauce, cantaloup and more. The lower proof renders the palate richer, creamier, and spicier.
Previous New Year Releases
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NEW YEAR 2024
A blend of 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 15-year-old straight bourbon whiskeys
Distilled in KY, IN, TN, WY, NY, TX, OH, MD
Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
113 proof cask strength bottling
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FLAVOR NOTES
New Year 2024 is bright and rich on the nose with a bouquet of fresh and baked fruit followed by syrupy desserts. On the palate, the freshness evolves to a silky concentration of baked goods and dark chocolate. A touch of water enhances the cinnamon, creating notes of snickerdoodle and stroopwafel along with caramelized fruit.
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Neat
Appearance: Saffron yellow.
Nose: Opens with a richness and brightness. Fresh and baked apples, lemon, stewed peaches, and amarena cherries appear first, followed by caramel, chocolate covered espresso beans, ganache, and lemon vanilla cream.
Palate: Silky, with notes of cherry, cinnamon doughnuts, apple cider, vanilla, and cardamom. The sweetness of baked goods lends a clear weight to the palate with caramel apples, honeycomb, and baked peaches. This is rounded out by a touch of toasted coriander and dark chocolate.
Finish: Lemon cream, cinnamon, apple cider.
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With a few drops of spring water
Snickerdoodle, Stroopwafel, baked apples, grilled peaches, dark chocolate.​
NEW YEAR 2023
A selection of 5, 6, 7, 8, 10-year-old straight bourbon whiskeys
Distilled in TN, IN, KY, OH, WY, NY, TX & MD
Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
113.54 proof cask strength bottling
Aged in American white oak barrels
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AWARDS
Whisky Advocate Rating of 92
Whiskey Raiders 2023 Best Whiskey Awards
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FLAVOR NOTES
Classic, with caramel on the nose, vanilla and spice on the palate, and a creamy finish. A splash of water introduces a plethora of tropical fruits to the nose while the syrupy palate displays a range of rich liqueurs.
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Neat
Appearance: Chestnut brown.
Nose: A classic bourbon opening of brioche and caramel. Added to that is a woodsy underpinning of sandalwood and a wisp of smoke. It evolves through a range of sweets: amaretto, coconut macaroons, and cream soda. Gooseberry, quince, and lime cordial add a bit of lift. A range of mineral notes round it out with flint, limestone, and beeswax.
Palate: Though cask strength, the heat is kept in check by syrupy oak sugars. Black cherry soda and roasted molé take center stage. Vanilla is notably strong here and joined by fellow oak spices nutmeg, cardamom, and aniseed. The oak is well balanced by herbaceous rye notes along with rose hip, wormwood, and peppercorn.
Finish: Candied chili pepper and preserved lemon flash across the Horchata takes over as a creaminess builds, adding white chocolate, and cashew. As the flavors slowly fade, a waxiness lingers on.
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With a few drops of spring water
Passionfruit, mango lassi, and ripe banana herald a broad range of tropical fruits. Meanwhile a leafy side expands, exhibiting cigar, tarragon, and peppermint. A rich sweetness overwhelms the palate, converting every note to its liqueur form: limoncello, maraschino, anisette and creme de menthe.​
NEW YEAR 2022
A selection of 5, 6, 7, 9, 14-year-old straight bourbon whiskeys
Distilled in TN, IN, KY, OH, WY, NY & TX
Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
115.34 proof cask strength bottling
Aged in American white oak barrels
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AWARDS
Whisky Advocate Rating of 92
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FLAVOR NOTES
The nose is opulent, with clear notes of carrot cake and butterscotch pudding. The palate retains a creamy character but incorporates a much bolder tart-cherry acidity and pronounced minerality. Water reverses that dynamic, brightening the nose with a lemony freshness while imbuing the palate with a chewy, savory richness.
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Neat
Appearance: Wildflower honey.
Nose: This nose is sweet, a little tangy, and shows white chocolate and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. The fruit comes through with nectarine, watermelon rind, and key lime pie. Grassy sugarcane nods toward a freshness not usually seen in such rich bourbon blends.
Palate: A sturdy wood tannin suits the bold acidity of sour apple candy, tart raspberry, and pineapple. As the palate adjusts, soy milk, banana pudding, and hazelnut streusel soften the impact. Tonka bean and cinnamon bring the first evidence of oak spice. Minerality is remarkably bold, displaying well-salted pretzel, iron, and gunpowder.
Finish: Rather gentle, returning to the soft, grassy tones from the nose. Green tea, pandan leaf and chocolate mint yield to a final, peppery flourish of grains of paradise.
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With a few drops of spring water
Notes of lemon drops, coriander, lemon verbena and lemon pith. There’s some spice too, such as nasturtium and parsley. The palate, meanwhile, gains an oily texture and savory edge, reminiscent of rib-eye steak.​
NEW YEAR 2021
A selection of 5, 9, 10, and 11-year-old straight bourbon whiskeys
Distilled in KY, TN, IN, NY, TX, WY, and CO
Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
113.9 proof cask strength bottling
Aged in American white oak barrels
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AWARDS
Whisky Advocate Rating of 93
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FLAVOR NOTES
On the nose, an array of fresh, primary fruits sits atop a creamy base of horchata and toasted nuts. The palate starts bright and fresh, but water unlocks a whole beehive’s worth of flavor- honey, wax, flowers and pollen.
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Neat
Appearance: Goldenrod fading to a rim of lemon chiffon.
Nose: Distillate driven, but with ample variety of primary fruit flavors, among them gooseberry, apple, watermelon rind, and peach. The oak is fresh but quite gentle, smelling of vanilla, toasted coconut, and sawdust. Corn lends a strong creamy foundation of toasted almond, lemon curd, and baguette. Cilantro and wintergreen hint at some light rye spice. ​
Palate: Despite the strength and minimal tannin, sweetness lends a clear weight to the palate. It opens fresh and grassy, on Yorkshire pudding with mushy peas, genepy, and thyme. As it sits on the palate, juicy fruits emerge, notably persimmon, raisin, and black tea with lemon.
Finish: An initial burst of minerals: limestone, flint, and steel. These give way to a potpourri of herbs and spices: apple blossom, hyssop, wild mint and clove.
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With a few drops of spring water
Curiously, the nose mirrors the development of the undiluted palate. An initial plume of chalk dust gives way to a fragrant bouquet of elderflower, rose, and lavender. Water also teases out a little oak spice, suggesting mulled wine and cola. The palate grows spicier too, exhibiting sassafras, nutmeg, and maple syrup. The finish, though, is where it really shines: honey, beeswax, hay, heather and gentian flower paint a vivid picture of a beehive on a steamy summer day.​
NEW YEAR 2020
A blend of 5 and 10-year-old Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
Distilled in Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, New York, and Texas
Aged in American white oak barrels
Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
109.4 proof cask strength bottling
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FLAVOR NOTES
Ripe peach aromas hover over a sweet core of pecan pie, dried fig and hot cocoa in this warm and charming bourbon. Deep and contemplative, tingly mulling spices and meadow herbs vie for attention. A drop of water unleashes an explosion of tropical fruit.
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Neat
Appearance: A core of worn gold transitions through burnt orange to deep russet.
Nose: Starts warm, bursting with fresh, ripe peach atop buttercream frosting. Rich pastry notes of buttered grits, pecan pie, cider donut and chocolate soufflé provide ample depth. The bright meadowy nose evolves through red clover, yellow gentian, marigold and mint tea. There is a slight prickle of toasted oak and mulling spices but seeking beyond them reveals fruit including dried fig, pear, and maraschino cherry.
Palate: Deep and comforting wintery flavors of kirsch-spiked cocoa, mulled cider and Irish coffee lend tingly warmth to the opening. As bourbon rests on the palate, prickly alcohol invokes peach Bellini and meyer lemon. As it mellows, darker flavors of hazelnut, hickory, dried fig and grains of paradise expand.
Finish: Sweet and savory, as sassafras transitions through chestnut honey and moss before closing out on vanilla meringue and incense.
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With a few drops of spring water
A fruity cascade of lime juice green papaya salad, honeydew melon, coconut and lychee are softened just a bit by a hint of green cardamom.
NEW YEAR 2019
A blend of 5, 8, 11, 14, and 15-year-old Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
Distilled in Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, New York, Texas, Illinois
Aged in American white oak barrels
Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
112.1 proof cask strength bottling
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FLAVOR NOTES
The nose is greeted by a fully laden dessert cart, resplendent with assorted dried fruits and nuts, chocolates, and other confections. On the palate, rye grain delivers a complex and harmonious blends of herbs and spices.
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Neat
Appearance: The full range of oranges and reds one expects from a sugar maple at the peak of autumn.
Nose: The nose is decadent, with sweet aromas of hazelnut macaron, ganache, marzipan and root beer commingling with sweet cider and an assortment of dried fruits (apricot, fig, and candied orange peel). Classic floral dessert garnishes such as rose, apricot noyaux, and vanilla offer heady top notes. The bass clef is carried by oiled leather, marshmallow and dandelion roots, and granite.
Palate: Creme anglaise makes for a rich backdrop to showcase classic rye spices of nutmeg, sarsaparilla, amaretto and stewed raisin.
Finish: The rye grain really broadens its scope with notes of cocoa nib, candied ginger, Peychaud’s bitters, and absinthe blanche.
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With a few drops of spring water
The nose takes grows creamy with notes of coconut milk, heirloom grits with butter and crème de menthe, while its floral character also gains more complexity with lily, goldenrod and grapefruit oil. The palate meanwhile takes on several additional layers of depth, with notes of black walnut, poppy seed, licorice root, black cherry soda, and guava.
NEW YEAR 2018
A blend of 5, 7, 9, 10, and 14-year-old Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
Distilled and aged in Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Tennessee, and Texas
Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
111.2 proof cask strength bottling
Aged in American white oak barrels
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AWARDS
Whisky Advocate Rating of 89
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FLAVOR NOTES
Christmas cake explodes from the glass, studded with slivered almonds, prunes, and black currents. The lightly roasted coffee note drifting up is reminiscent of the New Orleans classic, Café Brulôt, where clove studded oranges are floated in brandy, set aflame, then slowly extinguished with black coffee.
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Neat
Appearance: Dark honey with ginger highlights.
Nose: Rich, deeply fruited and subtly spiced with slivered almonds, prunes, and black currents. Coffee notes are followed by soft oak, licorice, and vanilla flecked whipped cream atop hot cocoa, reminiscent of a finely aged Armagnac.
Palate: Like your first bite of a cheerily iced gingerbread man and rounded out by Twix candy bar, hazelnut cappuccino, and fig jam. The mouthfeel grows syrupy as it sits on the palate.
Finish: Creme de menthe melting into cocoa with a dash of steaming black coffee.
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With a few drops of spring water
The oak gets pushed back, revealing Membrillo and raspberry pâte-de-fruit on the nose. Notes of cranberry, candied lime peel and curacao, and a finish that hints of pineapple upside-down cake.​
NEW YEAR 2017
A blend of 5, 7, 8, 9, and 13-year-old Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
Separately distilled in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana
Aged in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana
Crafted and bottled in Kentucky
117.0 proof cask strength bottling
Aged in American white oak barrels
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FLAVOR NOTES
Crushed stone and broiled fruit give way to wet saddle leather and generous dollops of heavy sweet cream oozing over cast iron baked cornbread. The pleasant warmth of this bourbon is tempered by the opulent, mouth-filling extended finish. Fire and smoke swirl around your palate, leaving behind bursts of sea salt, walnut liqueur, and citrus oils on your tongue. This is a highly sophisticated liquid, perfect for celebrating the end of one year and the beginning of the next.
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Neat
Appearance: Luxuriant 18 karat gold flecked with cinnamon red at its heart with edges of yellower gold leaf shimmering with each gentle swirl of the glass.
Nose: Wet leather and Tahitian-vanilla bean challah French toast awash in hazelnut brown butter and dark maple syrup. Sweet plum and cherry notes give way to campfire and toasted buckwheat for a simultaneously familiar and exotic aroma.
Palate: Smoldering oak underlies the ever-present heat with each slurp accentuated by salted caramel and droplets of condensed milk.
Finish: Crackling hot late season corn pudding, covered in dollops of rapidly melting sweet butter jump at you. Each sip plunges down the throat, drenched in spicy citrus marmalade and toasted grains.
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With a few drops of spring water
Notes of spicy ginger beer, sarsaparilla, and birch bark rush across the palate, making way for toasted brioche topped with smoked butter and raw honey. Filtered stream water carries the strong presence of this remarkable liquid, making it sing.