Review: Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026
Somehow, we missed Barrell’s annual New Year release last year. Does that mean 2025 didn’t officially happen? If only we were so lucky. But why dwell on all the batty craziness of the past when we can celebrate the possibilities of the future? Once again, Barrell’s bonkers holiday blend is here to help us stay well-lubricated into a cautiously optimistic new year.
Since it debuted in 2016, Barrell has relied on a broad formula for this release made up of bourbons of varying ages (5-16 years in this case) distilled from seemingly every corner of the country (seven states for 2026). Despite the wide-ranging variety of the component whiskeys, the derived bourbon mashbill has tended to stay the same in recent years with a higher rye content of 20+%, a measure of malt (5%), and a sprinkling of wheat (1%). For 2026, not much has changed with that recipe except for some slightly older Tennessee bourbon and, most notably, the absence of any whiskey distilled in Texas. Don’t take it personally, Texas.
Queue the annoying kazoo noises. Let’s pop our first bottle of the new year.
Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026 Review
Like many whiskeys to roll out of Barrell’s Kentucky-based blending house, this one will find plenty of fans. Even after the hangovers wear off, and we all return to sensible sipping in moderation. As New Year releases go, it’s a bit more barrel-forward on the nose than past iterations with top notes of maple syrup, brown butter, and a healthy dusting of freshly grated nutmeg and cinnamon. As things open, a little licorice and bruised mint offer some contrast along with undertones of orange marmalade and cherries jubilee, but the bouquet stays well-spiced and brown sugar sweet.
The palate is light and effusive while also rich with dark spices and caramelized sugar. A gentle, cinnamon-infused warmth persists across the sip, elevating notes of clove syrup, Red Hots, and freshly baked oatmeal cookies. The midpalate sees a little nuttiness, sugared pecans and peanut brittle, before giving way to apple chips, pear tart, and pink peppercorns on a long, silky finish.
That makes at least one good thing so far in 2026. Here’s hoping there’s a lot more to come!
110.3 proof.
A- / $85 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
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