Barrell Seagrass Rye
In-Depth Review
It’s hard to believe that Barrell Craft Spirits only started in 2013. From starting out as a small independent bottler in Louisville, Barrell has grown to become the premier American blending house. Their batches of sourced and blended bourbons have become a mainstay in hardcore collections around the country, with their products winning numerous awards and accolades across categories like rye, bourbon, rum, and American whisky. Their appetite for experimentation is almost unrivaled in American spirits, with releases like Armida, Dovetail, and the bottle we have to review today – Seagrass – leading the charge for change in the industry.
Barrell Seagrass is a relatively new addition to the lineup, and like its bourbon counterpart Armida (which I have already reviewed), it pushes the boundaries of rye to new and interesting places. It’s a blend of rye whiskies from Indiana, Tennessee, and Canada that is then finished in three unique barrels: Martinique rum, Madeira, and apricot brandy barrels. It’s then bottled at cask strength and sent off to challenge your taste buds. But does the whisky live up to the massive hype this bottle has received over the last year? Let’s dive in and find out.
Age: Non-Age Stated
ABV: 59.56%
Cask: Rye whisky finished in Martinique Rum, Madeira, and Apricot Brandy barrels
MSRP: $80
Distillery Name: Barrell Craft Spirits
Review Date: 2/28/23
Color: Bright Gold
Nose: The nose jumps out of the glass with big fruity notes of red apples and peaches before hitting some exotic sandalwood notes. It becomes more nuanced as it settles down, with candy corn, baked pastry, yellow straw, and raspberries and cream. It has tropical elements without feeling super out there or off-putting. It doesn’t feel characteristically rye at the onset, and I could have easily mistaken it for a fruity bourbon if tasted completely blind.
Palate: The palate is big in the mouth, with a splash of funky, overripe fruit with a silky clean texture. There are notes of pineapple, melon, and pear that lend to a summer, beach vibe. It doesn’t clobber you with sweetness, and instead halfway through the palate turns drier and shows up with a movie theater buttered popcorn note. As I continued sipping on it, more of a bright vanilla flavor popped in that reminded me of whipped cream and spun sugar. The mouthfeel here is fine – nothing extraordinary, and a bit lighter than I expected.
Finish: Medium length finish that goes drier than the fruitiness of the palate. Only a hint of wood, the finish ends with maltiness of rye bread and a touch of salted peanuts mixed with residual tropical sweetness.
Final Thoughts: Barrell Seagrass rye is a light, refreshing, tropical escape from the everyday routine. Its trio of finishing barrels has led to a unique take on a non-age stated rye whiskey that demonstrates – once again – that age isn’t everything. Barrell have become masters at blending disparate parts to make engaging and unique takes on whiskey across categories and Seagrass is no exception. As I kept sipping, I found myself enjoying the nose more and more, with the palate and finish rounding out an experience that will challenge the palate of some hardcore bourbon drinkers out there. Barrell Seagrass rye may not have blown me away as much as Barrell’s Armida expression, but it remains a fun ride that just may become your favorite anti-routine pour.
