New Year. New beginnings. New traditions. Every autumn, we create a very special blend of bourbons as a toast to the year to come. Barrell New Year Bourbon 2022 is a tribute to the fresh possibilities and sense of renewal that every new year brings. After the last two years, we’re also feeling particularly grateful for the amazing community of friends and partners that has supported Barrell Craft Spirits.

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.

92 Points – Whisky Advocate

Appearance: Bronze.

Nose: Starts with a puff of chalk dust and wood smoke. Underneath are notes of toasted marshmallow, warm honeycomb, and chocolate babka straight from the oven. Soon nubuck leather and sunflower seed jostle to the fore. Fruits emerge next, from Ginger Gold apples through roasted banana to strawberry jam, ending with chamomile and eucalyptus.

Palate: A syrupy and sweet arrival is kept in check by moderate heat and some light but gritty tannin. A vivid cola note dominates at first, then allspice, fennel seed, and peppermint lead the wave of oak spice. A little fruity spirit peeks through with pops of green grape, strawberry meringue, and jasmine.

Finish: The sugar washes away quickly, leaving a surprisingly dry, oily, palate with more noticeable tannin. The character correspondingly shifts to drier notes of pipe tobacco, walnut and iced coffee. As they fade a little more fruit emerges, around rhubarb jam and sumac.

With a splash of spring water: The nose becomes incredibly fruity, showing crabapple, lychee, and blackberry tart. The palate grows fruitier as well, here on watermelon and earl grey tea. But it also develops an earthy spiciness, along gingerbread, radish, and nasturtium.