Barrell Craft Spirits Private Release Armagnac Finish S1B52

The Barrell Private Release Series is a project in detailed blending on a scale small enough to allow extreme precision. The Private Release Series exercises blending expertise while maintaining a single barrel-like scale controlled entirely by hand and the palate. Every ounce of every ingredient changes the overall character of these blends, as does the barrel in which each one is aged. While the recipe for these releases may be replicated, the unique nature of each ingredient and the barrel they are married in makes every bottling singularly special.

From Lee Diaz, Topflight Series Panel Member: 

There is no doubt that Barrell Craft Spirits has quickly become one of my favorite whiskey brands. The incredible flavors they develop through constant refining and redefining of whiskey blending are genuinely something to behold. Having personally been to what looks like a mad scientist's laboratory shows their commitment to this craft and how intentionally focused they are on creating flavors that will truly astound the whisk(e)y enthusiast. This Armagnac cask-finished bourbon will clearly become a standout selection from this brand. If you're unfamiliar with Armagnac, it's similar to cognac in that it uses 10 grape varieties, including the one used to produce cognac. Entering the Armagnac cask was a blend of whiskey distilled in Kentucky and Indiana that comes out full of flavor and packing a glorious 130.8-proof punch. The nose is full of rich sugars, mixed berries, and subtle oak. You'll discover a mingling of plums and berries on the palate with maple syrup, dark chocolate, and graham cracker. The finish lingers with stone fruit and caramel. The Armagnac cask imparts incredible flavors and balances out this 130.8-proof pour. In a blind tasting, there is no way I could imagine this pour getting up to 130. The proof also gives you plenty of room for water or ice to open up this already perfect pour.

TOPFLIGHT: Series 1, Barrel No. 52

PROOF: 130.8