Barrel selection with Bourbonr/Seelbach’s at New Riff Distillery. More of a barrel elimination than selection, we got to select 5 barrels total to taste, with two barrels being selected.
The one that was the clear winner to me was one of the selections, with the second selected being my third place pick. Still solid, just typical New Riff profile to me.
Notes are following:
A (selected) - nose is like a taffy candied leather thing. Bready, Slightly grassy, a little bit or peppercorn and then some fresh raw wood.
Love this earthiness in a fresh way.
Going back 10 min in to this nose lots of maple. Love this.
Palate is very nice - spiced with a bit of char, buttered caramel, chewy and creamy. Tobacco finishing.
B - nose is bright - still led with some of that grassiness but softer, more spiced, lemon oil.
Going back doesn’t change.
Palate is sugared candy, but a bit spiced. Slightly more drying than 4.
C - nose is cinnamon and a slightly deeper raw wood, deeper dark fruit, has some richness but not very powerful.
Straightforward profile. Very balanced, nothing particularly stands out. Spiced and citrus woven and lead, sweet spiced peppery finish.
D (selected) - nose is pretty typical of NR, slightly grainy, elegant spice, menthol and a little bit herbaceous.
Palate is again like two, sugary and candied coated but not a lot else. Does linger with a bit more spice.
E - love this nose. Richest, deepest, nice wood and soft fruitier grains. Just a touch alcohol bite.
Palate is rich but drawing in a lot of spice as it trails. Chewy fruits, juicy citrus. Creamy vanilla lingering.