Review: Barrell Foundation Double Barrel Bourbon

In 2023, Barrell Craft Spirits introduced Barrell Foundation, the first ever non-cask strength bourbon from the Kentucky blending wizards and a welcome entry-level addition to a broad portfolio dominated by super premium offerings. Recently, Barrell decided to expand the Foundation lineup with this newest release, Barrell Foundation Double Barrel.

The details are pretty straightforward. At its core, this is Barrell’s standard Foundation recipe, a minimum 5-year-old blend of bourbons from Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Maryland (some of which are 8 to 9 years old) which equates to a derived mashbill of 73% corn, 23% rye, and 4% malted barley. That bourbon blend spends an unspecified amount of time in a new American oak cask (with no further details on toast or charring levels). What does a little extra oak influence do to Barrell’s already impressive Foundation offering? Let’s find out.

Fans of the original Foundation offering shouldn’t expect a radical departure here. On the nose things are once again quite light, if maybe a bit less high-toned, skewing more toward dark spices and barrel notes with silky chocolate and well-baked apple pie filling. As it opens, vanilla syrup, dried citrus, and soft fruit notes develop while undertones of new leather and cocoa powder hint at a moderately bolder oak profile. The palate is a bit fuller-bodied and rounder than the standard Foundation with early notes of chocolate-covered orange peel and chewy caramels. There’s quite a bit of baking spice on the midpalate, complementing an even, peppery warmth. The finish is generous, simmering with notes of fresh citrus, graham cracker, coffee grounds, and chocolate mints. Despite the improved mouthfeel, I prefer the brightness of the standard offering just a bit more. But kudos to Barrell for giving us something more nuanced than the pushy, double-barreled oak bombs we find too often on the shelf.

100 proof.

A- / $55

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