Barrell Craft Spirits Seagrass Cask Strength Rye Whiskey (750ml)

While this whiskey is finished in Kentucky, it's actually made up of ryes sourced from undisclosed distilleries in Indiana, Tennessee and Canada. Each component was finished separately in Martinique Rhum Agricole casks, apricot brandy casks, and Madeira barrels. On the surface, this seems like a quirky and rather risky blending exercise that could have ended up as a costly mistake. Yet, according to several reviews, the combination works, and works surprisingly well. Fred Minnick listed it as number 2 in his Top 100 American Whiskeys of 2021, while the boys at breakingbourbon.com also considered it a success (see below). 59.56% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Barrell Seagrass is a bold risk that utilizes wildly different finished whiskeys, yet manages to nail it thanks to precision blending. Barrell Seagrass features a set of finished whiskeys that can all be potent on their own and the idea of blending them seems a bit insane. But blending is what Barrell Craft Spirits has built their name and reputation on. It cannot be a small task to seamlessly blend together the flavor of rye, rum, madeira, and brandy into one product and there really isn’t anyone in the American whiskey market experimenting with such wild blends. There’s no denying Seagrass offers a unique flavor profile - that’s a given at this point - but that Barrell was able to make it work is the bigger takeaway. Using a rye as the base was the correct decision as it contrasts the sugary fruit profile from the finishing barrels effectively. Barrell Seagrass is a one-of-a-kind sip, that for all of its uniqueness, may not be as polarizing as some of the others that the company has released in the past. Barrell Seagrass is a testament that there are still plenty of opportunities in American whiskey for those who seek them out and take a chance. - breakingbourbon.com

Candied oranges and watermelon, pineapple, and confectionery shop meet tropical fruit grove, anchored by an earthy note of potpourri. There's sweetness on the palate, but a chile powder heat serves as counterweight when things become spicier—quite different from its dulcet start, though water evens out the balance. The finish reveals cinnamon-raisin cake and Christmas spice. There's generous spice and sweetness here, but at times a lack of balance. 88 points - whiskyadvocate.com

San Francisco World Spirits Competition - DOUBLE GOLD (2021), (2023)

Ultimate Spirits Challenge - 92 Points (2021), 93 points (2022)

Notes from the producers... Nose: High concentrations of bright, fruity esters lend a perfume-like character to the aroma. Honeydew melon and plum sit alongside a slice of ripe apricot resting out in the sun. The underlying rye is revealed by a sea-like salinity, tarragon, and elderflower. Palate: Sweet and juicy, Seagrass opens on pear, lychee, and white grapefruit. Classic rye flavors of cinnamon, rosemary, fennel seed, and rosehip aren’t far behind. Unctuous texture and sandy tannin are complemented by a delicate astringency so common to Canadian whiskeys. Finish: Fresh and clean, but the persistent tannin and astringency focus the powerful burst of camphor, chalk dust, and scorched earth. With a few drops of spring water. Despite bright notes of passionfruit and geranium, the nose settles down considerably. The fresh notes are now candied -- papaya, orange peel, and ginger. Liege waffle and beef tallow lay a rich foundation. The palate grows creamier, displaying french vanilla ice cream, pawpaw, and orris root.