Something different for today’s tasting is Beer Barrel Bourbon from New Holland Brewing Company. From their website “A unique, first-of-its-kind bourbon. Beer Barrel Bourbon is aged in new American oak barrels before finishing in our legendary Dragon’s Milk barrels”. So, it is aged in oak and thus can be called Bourbon, then finished in barrels that held beer. Seems straightforward, but it does get a little confusing. Neither the site nor the bottle state where the Bourbon originated. Second, there are 5 Dragon’s Milk beers, and it doesn’t say which one it used. Third, the description for all 5 beers say they are Bourbon barrel aged. So, they make beer, put it into used Bourbon barrels, then put the Bourbon into these same barrels?
We have with us for a second tasting, Dan the Realtor man. We introduced him on the Four Roses Small Batch Select post. He is the one who supplied us with this bottle.
Beer Barrel Bourbon is 80 proof, sells for around $30 for the 750ml bottle, comes in a plain-looking corked bottle, and has no age statement on the bottle or the website. We cannot vouch for its availability since neither of us here at TB have ever heard of it. Dan says it is pretty easy to find, but would you want to?
NOSE
Dan: Very unique, really light, and not a traditional Bourbon nose. Has a grainy, malty scent probably coming from the beer. Also get a little bit of yeast, caramel, plum, and banana.
Todd: Definitely does not smell like Bourbon. The overwhelming aroma for me was, strangely enough, bubble gum. Coming in behind that I smell clove, wet wood, mint, and the malty grain and banana that Dan picked up.
Matt: Light and sweet with leather and some type of red fruit. Secondary scents include almonds, malt, grain, and a slight tropical aroma. After ice, I picked up the banana.
TASTE
Dan: The banana I picked up on the nose really jumps out on the taste. Strange sensation as it almost feels and tastes like a light bubbly pilsner or maybe cream soda or root beer.
Todd: I taste what I smelled, banana, bubble gum, clove, malt, mint, and grain. Add in a little vanilla as well. I understand what Dan is saying about the soda comparison.
Matt: Yes. Strange but not necessarily unpleasant tastes of banana and vanilla. Reminds me vaguely of a push pop. Also, get some light tastes of clove and cherries.
FINISH
Dan: Medium to short without much burn. Easy to drink neat.
Todd: A very mild-medium finish with not much else going on.
Matt: Sweet, medium short finish that kind of felt like it was carbonated.
OVERALL
Dan: This is a fun conversation starter, Light and easy to drink but definitely not a normal Bourbon. The last sip with melted ice almost felt like I took a swig of Coke. I will keep a bottle just for something different.
Todd: Not my thing. That is about as simple as I can say it. I like adult beverages, and to me, bananas, soda, and bubble gum don’t fit that description.
Matt: I thought it was nice. I would buy this for $30 and drink it when I’m too tired to enjoy a more sophisticated beverage.
Nose 3.5 out of 5
Taste 6.5 out of 10
Finish 3 out of 5
Total score 13 out of 20 barrels.
As mentioned above, it can make a good conversation point. You could also have a non-Bourbon person cut their teeth on this. We found it way too sweet for any kind of cocktail.
While we had differing opinions on whether or not we like this or would buy it, one thing we all agreed on, Beer Barrel Bourbon does not taste like Bourbon. That said, at $30, it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try.