Blind tasting whiskey is a number of enjoyable… however it’s awfully laborious to do alone. I imply, you obtain the bottles, so you understand what they’re.
Blind Barrels solves that downside with what it calls the primary blind whiskey tasting subscription package. I’d counsel that Flaviar was there first, however there’s room for each of those guys out there, I believe.
The concept is easy: Every quarter Blind Barrels sends you 4 unlabeled 50ml pattern bottles of what’s promised to be a “distinctive and laborious to search out” whiskey — principally craft merchandise from off the overwhelmed path. After you style them, you’ll be able to scan an included QR code to disclose their identities. Discovered Bob DeMars says it took tasting 150 samples to reach on the 16 whiskeys in Blind Barrels’ first 4 line-ups. The value is $60 quarterly or $200 per yr. Delivery and tax not included.
We obtained Blind Barrels’ March 2022 mailing to see a latest instance of what the outfit is placing out. Because it’s been just a few months, I hope we will safely spoil the contents of the package. My fast guesses about what was in every bottle together with some tough tasting notes comply with — and, in parentheses, the id of every pattern.
A – younger rye; woody, some butterscotch, inexperienced; not wholly participating (Black Button 4 Grain Bourbon)
B – younger bourbon; woody, some pepper, nutty; extra attention-grabbing however immature (Kings County Bourbon)
C – daring, bourbon, possibly Texas; very woody, mesquite-like, punchy (OYO Wheat Whiskey Oloroso Completed — at 5 years outdated, that is the one whiskey over 2 years outdated within the combine)
D – rye or high-rye bourbon, wine completed maybe; floral and fruity, with a giant natural kick on the tip, my favourite of the bunch (291 Colorado Rye)
So, by and huge you’re getting some outdated guard craft whiskey within the combine, together with some fairly well-worn stuff like Kings County Bourbon. The inclusion of a sherry-finished wheat whiskey was undoubtedly attention-grabbing — and it actually threw me for a loop in attempting to determine it. All in all, one of many samples was actually worthwhile, two have been simply tremendous, and one I didn’t care to drink quite a lot of sips of.
At $12 to $15 per pattern, the worth of the package right here is reasonable compared to different tasting kits, however followers of craft whiskeys that they will’t readily acquire elsewhere could discover this a fair higher purchase. Bonus factors for the blind tasting setup, which labored completely properly and undoubtedly provides some enjoyable to the expertise.
B / $200 per yr / blindbarrels.com