Barrell Bourbon Cask Strength Batch 036 – 114.44 Proof

Barrell Bourbon Cask Strength Batch 036 – 114.44 Proof is a powerful, intricately blended straight bourbon that showcases Barrell Craft Spirits’ mastery of combining mature whiskeys from multiple states into one seamless expression. Batch 036 brings together bourbons aged from 7.5 to 15 years from Indiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky, bottled at cask strength at 114.44 proof (57.22% ABV). Rich black cherry, caramel, chocolate, pecan, citrus, and warming spice give this limited batch remarkable depth while preserving the energetic intensity expected from a barrel-proof Barrell release.

Process & Profile

Barrell Bourbon Batch 036 is a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys distilled and aged in three states. The Indiana components are 7.5, 8, and 10 years old, the Tennessee bourbons are 8 and 15 years old, and the Kentucky component is 9 years old. The finished blend has a derived mash bill of 79% corn, 16% rye, and 5% malted barley and is bottled in Kentucky at full cask strength.

The blending process begins with full-bodied barrels displaying black cherry character alongside oak-forward barrels with a distinctly nutty profile. Younger barrels carrying stone-fruit and pepper notes are then incorporated, followed by older whiskey selected for flavors of milk chocolate, cinnamon, and pecans. This careful layering produces a bourbon that moves effortlessly between fruit, dessert-like sweetness, oak, and spice.

On the nose, Batch 036 opens with honey, lime, tangerine, and apricot, followed by cherry jam, Marcona almonds, and buttermilk pancakes. Deeper aromas of snickerdoodle cookies, dark sugar, chocolate mint, and citrus emerge as the bourbon rests in the glass, creating a remarkably varied aromatic profile.

The palate is rich and concentrated, leading with caramel, cherry cola, pecan pie, and chocolate torte before brighter flavors of citrus zest and cherry cordial appear. Pepper and cardamom provide a spicy counterpoint, followed by cacao, cinnamon, and orange that reinforce the whiskey’s combination of confectionary sweetness and barrel-proof intensity.

The finish is warming and persistent, carrying cinnamon, white pepper, citrus zest, and cherry. Despite its 114.44-proof strength, the whiskey maintains balance between sweetness, spice, fruit, and oak rather than allowing alcohol intensity to dominate.

Adding a few drops of water transforms the profile further. Barrell notes additional aromas of spiced tea loaf, mead, brown-butter cookies, and cinnamon doughnuts, while the palate becomes more decadent with salted caramel latte, baklava, and streusel, finishing with cinnamon-orange coffee cake and oak.

What makes Barrell Bourbon Cask Strength Batch 036 especially compelling is the breadth of its blend: six age components ranging from 7.5 to 15 years, three states of origin, multiple mash bills, and an uncompromised cask-strength bottling. Batch 036 earned a 92-point rating from Whisky Advocate, along with Double Platinum at the 2025 ASCOT Awards and Gold medals at the 2024 New York World Spirits Competition and John Barleycorn Awards.

Enjoy it neat to experience its full cask-strength character, or add a few drops of spring water to reveal additional pastry, caramel, fruit, and spice. A large cube can also soften the proof while allowing the bourbon’s cherry, chocolate, and nutty character to develop gradually.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Barrell Bourbon Cask Strength Batch 036?
It is a limited blend of straight bourbon whiskeys from Indiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky, combining barrels ranging from 7.5 to 15 years old and bottled at full cask strength.

What are the key specs of Barrell Bourbon Batch 036?
Batch 036 is bottled at 114.44 proof / 57.22% ABV. Its components include 7.5-, 8-, and 10-year Indiana bourbon; 8- and 15-year Tennessee bourbon; and 9-year Kentucky bourbon. The derived mash bill is 79% corn, 16% rye, and 5% malted barley.

What flavors characterize Barrell Bourbon Batch 036?
Expect honey, apricot, cherry jam, caramel, cherry cola, pecan pie, chocolate torte, citrus zest, cardamom, cacao, cinnamon, white pepper, and orange, with additional pastry and caramel notes emerging with water.

How should you enjoy Barrell Bourbon Batch 036?
Enjoy it neat for maximum intensity, add a few drops of water to open its sweeter and more aromatic layers, or serve it over a large cube for a slower, softer sipping experience.

What makes Barrell Bourbon Cask Strength Batch 036 special?
Its distinction comes from the combination of bourbons aged 7.5 to 15 years, three different states of origin, multiple mash bills, sophisticated blending, and a 114.44-proof cask-strength bottling. The result is an opulent bourbon balancing mature oak with black cherry, caramel, chocolate, nuts, citrus, and layered spice.