Barrell Craft Spirits made its name blending sourced bourbon, and its rye releases apply the same method to a grain that behaves very differently in the glass. This is batch 002, an early release in the series, aged five years and bottled at cask strength, 57.75 percent alcohol by volume, 115.5 proof. Barrell does not distil. It sources finished barrels from established distilleries, blends them, and bottles the result without dilution or chill filtration, so what reaches the bottle is the strength the blend arrived at rather than a figure chosen for the label. That odd decimal is the evidence of it. Rye at this strength is a different proposition from bourbon. Where corn gives sweetness and body, rye brings pepper, mint and a dry herbal snap, and concentrating that at over 115 proof produces something assertive rather than comfortable. Five years is a meaningful age statement for the category, long enough for the oak to round the sharper edges without smothering the grain, and Barrell rarely publishes an age at all, which makes it worth noting here. Expect a nose of rye spice, vanilla and toasted oak with dried herbs behind, then a full oily palate carrying black pepper, clove, caramel and a dry herbaceous character, finishing long, warm and tannic. Drink it neat first to take the full measure of it, then add water in small increments, because at this strength a few drops materially change what you are tasting.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
57.75% |
| Proof |
115.5 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Category |
Rye Whiskey |
| Expression |
Batch 002, Cask Strength |
| Batch |
002 |
| Age |
5 years |
| Bottling Strength |
Cask strength, batch specific |
| Bottle Number |
Individually numbered |
| Filtration |
Non chill filtered |
| Producer |
Barrell Craft Spirits |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber with a reddish copper cast.
Nose: Rye spice, vanilla and toasted oak, with dried herbs and a peppery lift behind.
Palate: Full and oily at cask strength, with black pepper and clove against caramel sweetness and a dry herbaceous rye character.
Finish: Long and warming, closing on spice, dry oak tannin and lingering herbal notes.
FAQ
What proof is batch 002? 115.5 proof, or 57.75 percent alcohol by volume, bottled at cask strength. Each Barrell batch is bottled at its own strength, so other batches differ.
How old is it? Five years, stated on the label. Barrell frequently releases without an age statement, so a stated age here is worth noting.
Is it bourbon? No. This is rye whiskey, a separate category. Barrell produces both, and the label designation is the way to tell them apart.
Does Barrell distil its own whiskey? No. Barrell Craft Spirits sources finished barrels from established distilleries and blends them, bottling at cask strength without dilution or chill filtration.
Why is the proof such an odd number? Because nothing is added or removed. The whiskey is bottled at whatever strength the blend came to, which is why it reads 115.5 rather than a round figure.
Where can I buy Barrell Rye Batch 002 online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
