Barrell Craft Spirits launches Cask Finish Series

Louisville-based blending house Barrell Craft Spirits has kicked off a new series with two whiskeys that showcase different cask finishes.

The new Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish series will feature two blends each year, with the first two to be released this autumn.

Amburana is a blend of Indiana-made Bourbon aged for five, six, seven, and 10 years; and Kentucky-made Bourbon aged for five years. It has a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley.

The barrels were vatted together before a 30- to 60-day finish in Amburana casks, which impart notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and vanilla spice. It is bottled at 58.21% ABV.

The second release, Tale of Two Islands, builds upon a popular 2018 expression by the same name, a Jamaican rum matured in Islay single malt casks.

The 2023 Tale of Two Islands blends together Indiana-made Bourbon aged for five, six, and nine years with Maryland-made Bourbon aged five and six years. It has a mash bill of 73% corn, 23% rye, and 4% malted barley. The blended whiskey is then finished in empty casks from the 2018 rum release for four to six months, giving it note of old-fashioned doughnut and coconut macaron. It is bottled at 59.11% ABV.

“We’re thrilled to continue our 10-year legacy of developing sought-after award-winning blends that push the boundaries of American whiskey,” said Barrell Craft Spirits founder Joe Beatrice.

“The intent for this Series is to produce unique blends that showcase the finishing cask, while respecting the underlying bourbon blend.”

Barrell Craft Spirits was founded in 2013 and has built a reputation for its blends, inventive cask finishes, and unorthodox approach to American whiskey.

The first two releases in the Cask Finish Series are listed for US$90 and are available for purchase now at barrelbourbon.com, and will in select retailers later this month.