Barrell Bourbon 12 Year Finished in French Oak Casks is an extremely limited, cask strength release from Barrell Craft Spirits, the Louisville based independent blender celebrated since 2013 as a pre eminent force in aged, cask strength American whiskey. It represents the company's first French oak focused release, and a masterclass in their signature art of sourcing, blending, and finishing. The journey begins with a blend of exceptional straight bourbons aged twelve years and up, meticulously sourced from distilleries across four states, Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Wyoming, giving the base a profound, multi dimensional depth and maturity. The magic happens in the secondary maturation: the whiskey is finished in hand selected French oak casks with a variety of distinct toast levels. Unlike the heavy char of traditional American oak, French oak imparts a more subtle, sophisticated, and spicier character, adding an elegant tapestry of warm baking spices, toasted nuts, and a refined, velvety texture without overpowering the mature bourbon core. Bottled at a cask strength of 108.5 proof and left non chill filtered, it pours a deep amber and opens with a nose of vanilla custard, dense seasoned oak, leather, and caramel. The palate is rich and velvety, layering seasoned oak, toasted marshmallow, crème brûlée, clove, toffee, nutmeg, and brown sugar, while the long finish carries toasted marshmallow, baking spices, oak, and brown sugar. With only about 1,500 bottles produced, this is a powerful yet impeccably poised collector's bourbon, best savored neat or with a splash of water to unlock its hidden floral and spice notes.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
Barrell Bourbon (Barrell Craft Spirits) |
| Distillery |
Sourced from undisclosed distilleries in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Wyoming; blended in Kentucky |
| Producer |
Barrell Craft Spirits, Louisville, Kentucky |
| Category |
Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys (French oak cask finished) |
| Expression |
12 Year, Finished in French Oak Casks (limited, cask strength) |
| Age Statement |
12 Years (components 12 to 15 years) |
| Mashbill |
Undisclosed derived mashbill (blend of corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley across components) |
| Maturation |
Aged in new charred American oak, then finished in French oak casks of varying toast (3 to 26+ months) |
| Bottling |
Cask strength, non chill filtered; limited release (~1,500 bottles) |
| ABV |
54.25% |
| Proof |
108.5 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Blended in Kentucky (multi state sourced) |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber.
Nose: Vanilla custard, dense seasoned oak, leather, and caramel.
Palate: Seasoned oak, toasted marshmallow, crème brûlée, clove, toffee, nutmeg, and brown sugar, with a velvety mouthfeel.
Finish: Long, with toasted marshmallow, baking spices, seasoned oak, toffee, and brown sugar.
FAQ
What makes this release special? It is Barrell Craft Spirits' first French oak focused release, a limited, cask strength blend of 12 year and older straight bourbons from four states, finished in French oak casks.
What proof is it? 108.5 proof, or 54.25 percent ABV, bottled at cask strength and non chill filtered.
How old is it? Carries a 12 year age statement, with component bourbons aged 12 to 15 years.
Where do the bourbons come from? Sourced from distilleries in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Wyoming, then blended and bottled in Kentucky.
How limited is it? Only about 1,500 bottles were produced for this release.
How should I drink it? Neat, or with a splash of water or a large ice cube to open up its floral and spice notes.
Where can I buy Barrell Bourbon 12 Year French Oak online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
