Put down about 5oz of this during the NFC Championship game last weekend. The difference between small batch and this one is pretty huge, and it definitely helped settle the nerves all game.

I love their rye. So hook a brother up if you come across one.I really enjoy all the EHT bottles except their rye and the barrel proof rye. Something just off putting about them to me.



That's the way to do it. Sorry for your loss.
A few months before I left the industry (spring 2024), we found out our Barrell rep was laid off. It came as a surprise to us because she was really great and her in-store tastings were always awesome. We had a store pick too if I recall correctly. But that's when we found out Barrell wasn't everyone's higher price point reliable anymore. So I can't say I'm surprised by this either.I've been wondering what's going on with Barrell. They slowed from ~5 bourbon batches a year to 1, they only have a few SKUs at local stores, and my group doesn't even talk about them anymore. In the NDP/blender space, the hype seems to have shifted to Rare Character and Subtle Spirits.
I guess this confirms my suspicions, they're pulling back on their footprint. Sales are probably slow. Not too surprising at their price point.
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Press Release: Barrell Craft Spirits Sells Blending & Bottling Facility in Jeffersontown, Kentucky to American Craft Bottling
Award-Winning Independent Blender Adapts its Strategy to Meet Future Market Needs and to Further its Growth.www.breakingbourbon.com
A few months before I left the industry (spring 2024), we found out our Barrell rep was laid off. It came as a surprise to us because she was really great and her in-store tastings were always awesome. We had a store pick too if I recall correctly. But that's when we found out Barrell wasn't everyone's higher price point reliable anymore. So I can't say I'm surprised by this either.
Seagrass is still the best.
I also didn't think the super pricey gray label stuff was as good!! And everyone thought I was weird. (Spoiler: They still do, but for other reasons haha)Seagrass is amazing, though Seagrass Gray is not as impressive.
I do find it funny how the market shifted on Barrell, but I think they went from $55 to pushing $90 on the batches in a span of a few years, along with a pretty middling and repetitive blend profile (yes, we know you like Dickel, we get it). Apparently that shift in quality per dollar is much for anyone to absorb.
My friend opened an older SP rye from them that was as stellar as I remembered their quality being. I have another group pick that I plan to open soon.
I also didn't think the super pricey gray label stuff was as good!! And everyone thought I was weird. (Spoiler: They still do, but for other reasons haha)
My favorite is Seagrass and I also loved the Amburana cask. I have always hated Dovetail.
They launched a "regular" Barrell at a $60ish price point after Stellum was discontinued. I think all those things were also signs of what was to come, especially given Stellum was supposed to be the more reasonably priced bottle. But then they also started adding pricier bottles to that line!
Oh well.
Bought it on sale.....don't love itI have always hated Dovetail.
Yes, Foundations, although I didn't recall that name specifically until you mentioned it.Are you referring to Foundations? That and Stellum are so mediocre. I gave every Stellum I tried a 1-2 out of 5.
I never put the pattern together, but I guess they've been quietly flaming out for years.