Quick on the heels of Drinkhacker’s evaluate of its “4 core releases” together with different expressions earlier this yr, Damaged Barrel has just lately launched Americana, the most recent addition to the core lineup. True to the experimental path they’ve carved for themselves, Americana showcases a specific novelty of their course of, which is finest shared in their very own phrases:
[Americana features] a mash invoice of 80% corn, 14% rye and 6% malted barley. As soon as aged a minimal of two years, barrels are dumped and batched in a big tank containing damaged barrel staves from a number of sorts of casks for additional getting old and ending — on this expression, 40% Charred American Oak, 40% Toasted American Oak and 20% American Apple Brandy cask. The staff calls this their OakBill.
Let’s break all of it down by tasting.
The nostril is a vanilla hug with some pop of milk chocolate and a touch of almonds, which basically describes a Heath bar. The vanilla ahead nostril is good and creamy with an occasional burst of mint. The palate is every kind of spice – cinnamon purple hots, pepper, mint, char – however remarkably complementary to the apple cider and honey sweetness. And I daresay, there’s probably the most noticeable notice of acetone right here. The mouthfeel is comparatively skinny which appears to work properly with the brightness of the assorted flavors, coming off as fairly refreshing as a substitute of wanting. The end retains and lingers on the spicy sweetness with a reprieve of soppy cornflake undertones. Hardly ever do I name a whiskey poured neat as “refreshing,” however this comes shut.
It does drink on the youthful aspect however definitely doesn’t lack in complexity and vary. This pour is remarkably drinkable and sessionable, even at 100 proof, and at $35 MSRP, it’s fairly the worth. Damaged Barrel is seemingly nonetheless feeling their manner round their zone and experimenting with completely different finishes, and maybe they’ve a particular knack in working with the “OakBill.” It will likely be fascinating to see what follows after Americana.
100 proof.
B+ / $35 / brokenbarrel.com
Damaged Barrel Americana Whiskey
$35
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