Happy New Year
It may seem hard to believe, but it’s been two years since we bottled our first batch of Barrell Bourbon. Since then, we’ve released six batches of bourbon, one batch of whiskey, and a selection of private barrels. We’ve held over 150 tastings and exhibitions across the country. We could not have done it without all our fans and supporters. Thank you!
2015 was a big year for us. Barrell Bourbon won top awards from two of the most respected industry spirits competitions, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Barrell Bourbon Batch 004 earned Double Gold in the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and ranked as a Finalist with 95/100 rating in the 2015 Ultimate Spirits Challenge. In our first Whisky Advocate review from the Summer 2015 issue, Barrell Bourbon Batch 004 rated 87/100. Batches 005 and 006 earned 88/100 and 87/100 ratings in the Winter 2015 issue.
Not to be outdone by our bourbon, Barrell Whiskey rated equally well in its inaugural year. Whisky Advocate’s Lew Bryson rated Barrell Whiskey Batch 001 a 92/100 to make it the #4 rated whiskey in the Fall 2015 issue. Within its specific category “Other Whiskey Types – Bourbon,” Barrell Whiskey Batch 001 rated the highest of all whiskeys reviewed. Like Barrell Bourbon, our whiskey earned Double Gold in the San Francisco World Spirits and was a Finalist in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge with a 93/100 rating.
We hope to bring home more awards in 2016 when we submit the latest batches, Barrell Bourbon 005 and 006, to 2016 spirits competitions.
New Releases
We’re excited to share our first release of private barrels with retailers, bars, and restaurants across the country. The private barrels were personally selected for character and uniqueness by Barrell’s founder, Joe Beatrice. Financial District Wine and Liquor and Caskers in New York, Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market in Connecticut, Gordon’s in Massachusetts, and Kroger and Liquor Barn in Kentucky have all purchased a private barrel of our bourbon.
Each private barrel is as distinct as our batch releases. Josh Hatton, President and Co-Founder of Single Cask Nation, reviews Single Barrel #13 at Gordon’s as, “the best bourbon I had this year hands down…in fact, I’d go so far as to say this is in the top 5 whiskies I’ve had all year.” The barrels are available on a first-come basis. Please contact us if you would like to purchase one or have a favorite store, bar, or restaurant that might be interested.
Spread the word
We try to be modest, but we can’t hide all the positive recognition Barrell has found in 2015. One of our favorite quotes of the year comes from Geoff Kleinman, Founder and Managing Editor of DrinkSpirits.com: “While everyone else was chasing down $1000+ bottles of Pappy’s, we were stocking up on the early batches…” As our loyal fans, we know you have been enjoying, and perhaps stocking up on, our bourbon like Geoff.
Thanks to all of the reviewers who took the time to taste our whiskey and share their impressions with the world. If you haven’t read them yet, check out these great reviews from The Whiskey Reviewer, The Bourbon Scout, The Whiskey Wash, and more. Also be sure to pick up the latest edition of Clay Risen’s “American Whiskey, Bourbon & Rye” which includes Barrell Bourbon. Risen says, “it's worth highlighting the company, because it's a name we'll hopefully hear a lot more in the years to come.”
With Barrell featured in several 2015 holiday gift guides, we hope many people learned that giving Barrell is just as good receiving it. We’re honored to be featured by WGBH Craving Boston, DrinkSpirits.com, and Caskers.com as a top choice for a bourbon to gift.
Next stops
In 2015 we expanded to California, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington D.C. In the year ahead we look forward to bringing Barrell to our friends in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, and more.
We’d like to give a shout out to some of the pioneering bars and restaurants in California, our newest market, that have welcomed Barrell with open arms. Stop in to Midgley’s Public House, The Chestnut Club, Hard Water, and Messhall Kitchen for good food, company, and the latest batches of Barrell.
Check our Where to Buy page to find a retailer near you, or one who will ship Barrell Bourbon directly to you. If you want to help us get our products into your local liquor store send us an email and tell us where you live. Every state has different laws about liquor sales and distribution, but rest assured we’re doing our best to get our products to you.
Don’t miss a drop
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn and be sure to check out our events page for Barrell Bourbon tastings near you. #cheers
Raise a glass
Finding unique whiskies is our passion and we look forward to bringing you more of the very best in 2016.
Thanks to all our customers, retailers, suppliers, and distributors for your support over the past year. Best wishes to all for a happy and healthy New Year.