I went by Hokus Pokus today to pick up a special bottle I will be reviewing later. But, they had something else-Barrell’s latest whiskey, Batch 5. For my local friends, Hokus also got the last five bottles the Louisiana distributor had of Batch 4. Get it before it’s gone!

Batch 5 is very different than Batch 4. It is far less sweet. The underling whiskies in the blend are high rye bourbon mashbills, some of it is straight bourbon, some aged in used bourbon casks, and then finished in brandy, amaro and cognac casks. 118.4 Proof Cask Strength Whiskey.

The youngest whiskey in the blend is nine years old. The color is a beautiful straw almost scotch like color. Nose is elegant; rye spice meats fine champagne brandy. Wonderful. On the palate it has that rye spice of good rye recipe bourbon with honey (reminds me of Liquor 43/Cuarenta y Tres) and B&B (Brandy & Benedictine). Just amazing. Elegant mouthfeel. Lingering spicy finish.

Just delightful. A perfect accompaniment to dessert or a fine cigar. Batch 5 is like every wonderful after dinner aperitif I drink combined with cask strength bourbon. Another bottle of liquid gold from Barrell.