Barrell’s Amburana & “Tales of Two Island” Bourbon & ’18 Rum!

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!

[@awsomenesscaleb]

Appreciate the honest reviews. So many channels have a conflict of interest when they get free samples for review.

[@adityasane]

Thanks for sharing!
I definitely enjoyed the BCS Amburana finish... they've definitely done a deft job at managing the Amburana

[@dramyankee2914]

Cinnamon-Toast-Crunch cereal has also been my experience with Amburana and you are absolutely correct, that finish can really overtake the other elements of the spirit, Thanks for sharing your experience with these offerings.
BTW, it was wonderful seeing you at "Whiskey on the Rocks" event and already looking forward to next year. Cheers Chris!

[@LiquorHound]

Yes sir, and I can't wait to see you there again! Take care and cheers!

[@dkfromthebay]

Have you tried Barrell grey label rum? It's now around $150. I've tried a private release rum of theirs (blend of Jamaica barbados and guyana finished in German ice wine). I also have a few other hampdens and other Jamaican rums. Trying to decide if I should buy tale of two islands rum which is available for around $100 or just get the grey label