Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
You can skip ahead, but you’ll miss a lot of great information along the way!
Shortcuts/Timecodes:
0:00 – Intro/Details
3:15 – Amburana Nosing
4:15 – Amburana Tasting
6:40 – Tale Bourbon Nosing
7:37 – Tale Bourbon Tasting
10:27 – ’18 Tale Rum Nosing
11:28 – ’18 Tale Rum Tasting
Two of the latest releases I’ve seen on my local store shelves from Barrell Craft Spirits are an Amburana finished bourbon and another one finished in peated Islay casks that previously held Jamaican rum (which I also have to review).
For the Amburana, Barrell Craft Spirits’ Chief Whiskey Scientist Tripp Stimson sourced true 53-gallon barrels made from sustainably harvested amburana wood to finish bourbon. It took a full year of R&D to home in on the right timing and conditions that would create just the right balance of flavor concentration, layering in those heady tropical spice notes without losing the delicious flavor of the bourbon itself. It’s made using a blend of Indiana sourced bourbons aged 5, 6, 7, & 10 years old and one Kentucky bourbon that was 5 years old. The derived mash bill is 75% Corn, 21% Rye, & 4% Barley. It retails for $85 and was bottled at a cask strength of 116.42 proof.
Before we get to the “Tale of Two Islands Bourbon”, we have to go back a few years to examine the rum. In 2018, Barrell Craft Sprits produced the legendary “Tale of Two Islands Rum” – a big Jamaican Rum that was matured in peated Islay single malt casks. When bottled, that rum was 8 years old and 132.8 proof! Fast forward, and those empty ex-rum/ex-peated casks have now been used to finish a blend of straight bourbons. And that is what “The Tale of Two Islands Bourbon” is. The goal was to have the sweetness of the rum and the smokiness of the Islay casks mingle together with the underlying bourbon. It’s made using a blend of Indiana sourced bourbons aged 5, 6, & 9 years old, and two Maryland bourbons that were 5 & 6 years old. The derived mash bill is 73% Corn, 23% Rye, & 4% Barley. It retails for $85 and was bottled at a cask strength of 118.22 proof. Now let’s get to the tasting of all 3 of these spirits!
As of November 2023, my current bottle count is over 2,600. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for more than two decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Speaking of my career, our “Saints Alley" Bourbons & Rye whiskeys are on Total Wine shelves and customers are really enjoying them (be sure to ask for a sample when you're in the stores)! Currently, our Special Editions are moving fast and winning awards! Our "Nobleman" Rye Whiskey was aged in Hungarian Tokaji (pronounced Tok-eye) sweet wine casks! It's a rye that drinks well beyond its age! The other is a twist on our "Herald" Bourbon that adds Pineau Des Charentes casks to the mix. It was just named "The Best Overall Bourbon" in a blind competition at Tales of the Cocktail's - New Orleans Spirit Competition! It was awarded that over a lot of really big names, and just goes to show that when you take the branding away, our Saints Alley whiskeys can stand on their own! Given my decades of training and knowledge, you know I’ll continue working hard with my team to bring you whiskeys that we’re proud of! Thanks for watching and please remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!
You can skip ahead, but you’ll miss a lot of great information along the way!
Shortcuts/Timecodes:
0:00 – Intro/Details
3:15 – Amburana Nosing
4:15 – Amburana Tasting
6:40 – Tale Bourbon Nosing
7:37 – Tale Bourbon Tasting
10:27 – ’18 Tale Rum Nosing
11:28 – ’18 Tale Rum Tasting
Two of the latest releases I’ve seen on my local store shelves from Barrell Craft Spirits are an Amburana finished bourbon and another one finished in peated Islay casks that previously held Jamaican rum (which I also have to review).
For the Amburana, Barrell Craft Spirits’ Chief Whiskey Scientist Tripp Stimson sourced true 53-gallon barrels made from sustainably harvested amburana wood to finish bourbon. It took a full year of R&D to home in on the right timing and conditions that would create just the right balance of flavor concentration, layering in those heady tropical spice notes without losing the delicious flavor of the bourbon itself. It’s made using a blend of Indiana sourced bourbons aged 5, 6, 7, & 10 years old and one Kentucky bourbon that was 5 years old. The derived mash bill is 75% Corn, 21% Rye, & 4% Barley. It retails for $85 and was bottled at a cask strength of 116.42 proof.
Before we get to the “Tale of Two Islands Bourbon”, we have to go back a few years to examine the rum. In 2018, Barrell Craft Sprits produced the legendary “Tale of Two Islands Rum” – a big Jamaican Rum that was matured in peated Islay single malt casks. When bottled, that rum was 8 years old and 132.8 proof! Fast forward, and those empty ex-rum/ex-peated casks have now been used to finish a blend of straight bourbons. And that is what “The Tale of Two Islands Bourbon” is. The goal was to have the sweetness of the rum and the smokiness of the Islay casks mingle together with the underlying bourbon. It’s made using a blend of Indiana sourced bourbons aged 5, 6, & 9 years old, and two Maryland bourbons that were 5 & 6 years old. The derived mash bill is 73% Corn, 23% Rye, & 4% Barley. It retails for $85 and was bottled at a cask strength of 118.22 proof. Now let’s get to the tasting of all 3 of these spirits!
As of November 2023, my current bottle count is over 2,600. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for more than two decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Speaking of my career, our “Saints Alley" Bourbons & Rye whiskeys are on Total Wine shelves and customers are really enjoying them (be sure to ask for a sample when you're in the stores)! Currently, our Special Editions are moving fast and winning awards! Our "Nobleman" Rye Whiskey was aged in Hungarian Tokaji (pronounced Tok-eye) sweet wine casks! It's a rye that drinks well beyond its age! The other is a twist on our "Herald" Bourbon that adds Pineau Des Charentes casks to the mix. It was just named "The Best Overall Bourbon" in a blind competition at Tales of the Cocktail's - New Orleans Spirit Competition! It was awarded that over a lot of really big names, and just goes to show that when you take the branding away, our Saints Alley whiskeys can stand on their own! Given my decades of training and knowledge, you know I’ll continue working hard with my team to bring you whiskeys that we’re proud of! Thanks for watching and please remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!
