Is This The Bourbon Of The YEAR?

[@mikebreidenbach246]

Hey guys-- I like how you enlarged each bottle and pushed it briefly to the front and center of the screen. It helps to know exactly what bottle you guys are sampling. Sometimes it's kinda hard to see for us old guys when watching your video on a small laptop, so this little video editing trick s helpful. Thanks!

[@robschoenung9543]

Barrell is the only stuff I'll pay $80 for without trying it first. Some are better than others, haven't had a bad one.

[@benfrihauf3825]

Agreed

[@swampgumpharpy7977]

Around here, we laugh at just how bad Barrell is at rye whiskey.

[@Longenecker1776]

Frey Ranch Farmers strength uncut is unreal..

[@Longenecker1776]

Barrell Tale of two islands is very good S well.

[@zezerat1605]

@@swampgumpharpy7977 Seagrass is fantastic, just sounds like preference.

[@DenisKroll-s1w]

The Japanese Mizunara oak is one of the most expensive woods in the world because it grows so slowly that it is 2-300 years old when it is felled. Due to its age, hardness and special grain, the Mizunara wood gives the whiskey a very special note that can only be obtained after maturing in Mizunara-casks.

[@BondingOverBourbon]

They also don't typically grow straight, so they have to be hammered into shape over a number of years.

[@mrfinesse]

In my area (SF bay), Costco carried the Barrell for a long time last year for about $65. They usually have one good one. Should have bought another when mine ran out. Now they carry OF 1920 for $49. I've long since given up chasing unattainable products. Costco is a good option for me.

[@randyflood8320]

I got the 2XO for $38 and only had 2 pours. I get some grainy, oaky up front then honey and toffee with oak on the finish. It is a bit of a dry finish but not tannic for me. I enjoy it and think it was worth the money I paid.

[@mattschmitt9924]

That Barrel offering was $55 @ Costco last week.

[@ps138vs2cavi]

NO!! Fuh real? Have to check that out

[@kurtludington5986]

😮😮😮

[@boydmasonlake1995]

Which barrel offering?

[@mattschmitt9924]

@@boydmasonlake1995 The only one in the video.

[@bendawg69420]

Good morning fellas. I really enjoyed my foundation bottle. So much that it’s all gone! Thanks for always giving me something new to try and always being close by on dark nights.

[@karl0318]

Great review! Thank you! 😃 Rebel 100 (the $15 bottles of bourbon and rye) are great budget options I am enjoying! And for those into Rebel, be on the lookout for Rebel Small Batch Reserve at 110 proof (no age statement) for about $35 in San Antonio. TX. Grammar note for Trenton: At the 10:02 mark you mentioned it being tough to justify spending $100 on a bottle of bourbon, "let alone $50". Knowing what you were trying to say, you are correct! However, grammatically speaking, you would want to say, "It's tough to spend $50 on a bottle of bourbon, let alone $100". 😉

[@debbybrady1246]

I just enjoy watching you two so much. You have such a good rapport. It's nice to see the fun you have on the videos. OH, I also like the reviews - lol

[@JordanG_3031]

SLB Classics 0:01 got some lovely Harry price stickers 0:09 gotta talk about the price ratio 1:08 Trenton found a budget bottle?!? 1:52 wonderful graphics again 1:57 trenton looks for whiskey in random places and finds it 2:47 Trenton always looking for a good smack on WT 3:13 Trenton tries snorting some whiskey 3:45 Kurt tries to sugar coat the tasting notes 4:08 Trenton candy note: oak sour patch kid 4:42 Kurt’s car accident impression is on point 5:06 Kurt loves his 100 proof 5:16 Trenton is lost for words, he doesn’t study 6:01 Trenton note: sneaker 6:32 Kurt just refuses to swallow the good whiskey 6:54 the boys turn 🇫🇷 and a throw back to Jimmy Neutron boy genius 7:15 Trenton thinks he has enough hair to be Jimmy Neutron 8:37 Trenton tries to speak more rye into the world 8:55 Kurt does his research 9:54 the boys are happy to see better prices in the world 10:34 Trenton doesn’t know a food: lemon curd 10:46 Kurt might enjoy a dessert 11:29 Trenton puts the poll up, lemon curd or Sharpie 11:47 -she 12:08 Kurt didn’t pre-sip a bottle? 12:45 are the boys brave enough to talk smack on mom’s cereal if she is in the room? 14:00 the boys are honest on the reviews 14:28 Trenton struggles with words, very funny spelling 15:00 trenton makes a smart choice 15:34 Trenton likes to break things 15:48 the boys are always honest 15:56 synchronized hand movement 🤯 16:33 Trenton makes it weird 17:14 Trenton asks tough questions but doesn’t research 18:23 trenton is willing to do the hunt 18:40 it’s so good that Kurt will talk before swallowing the whiskey 20:12 the boys agree on the order 20:57 Trenton keeps it simple: “no” 22:02 nice sign off and nod (responsible ;) )

[@heatherharrison264]

Mizunara oak has become popular lately. It is slow growing and expensive, but it imparts great flavors into aged spirits. Hopefully, the increased demand won't result in a major shortage. I haven't tried the Barrell, but I would certainly like to. If I see one, it will probably come home with me. Right now, the only Barrell product I have is gray label Seagrass. It is wonderful stuff, but the standard version of Seagrass is great too, so paying the extra cost for the gray label version isn't necessary unless you really want a different variant of it. I have tried a few others at a whisky bar, and I have not been disappointed. The amburana version is great too - if you like amburana. I just bought a Kaiyo whisky that is aged in mizunara oak and finished in rum barrels. I have liked their products generally, and this one sounded interesting. I haven't opened it yet, so I can't provide details. All of their products I have seen at least get their start in mizunara oak, and some are finished in other barrels. The cask strength version of the standard mizunara-aged whisky is great. Japanese whisky tends to be expensive, but Kaiyo is reasonably priced as Japanese whiskies go. Another mizunara aged spirit I have found is a Kelt XO Cognac matured in mizunara oak. It isn't cheap, but Cognac doesn't get much better than this.

[@bmc2567]

Interesting overview. I’m almost through a bottle of the 2XO and maybe it’s my bottle, but don’t find it as bad as you guys seemed to think. I agree it’s oak forward, even on the nose but I like double oaked bourbons. I’ll look out for the Barrel release as I’ve not seen it here.

[@luckyguylotto1469]

Love you guys! You guys need to do a full Barrell lineup review they have so many

[@Saki630]

I just tried my first two bourbon's thanks to these videos that I have seen for a few months. My first two was WT Rare Breed and Elijah Craig Barrel Strength. Both are worth the $60-80 range, but im looking for something that is hot and strong like Elijah with a little sweetness. Mabye i'll get the Barrel next :)

[@ForgotMyDemonName]

Love basically all of Barrell's offerings so will be out looking for this one soon. Sounds delicious!

[@davidteller7681]

Thanks for tasting the Bird Dog. One of my first whiskey purchases was their blackberry, which I still love (que the side eye) and had wondered about their bourbon. Now I know!

[@curetiamhices289]

Only Barrel Bourbons I have are the Foundation and Batch 35. Both very good.

[@1sloth55555]

I’ve actually been enjoying the bottle of 2XO I bought this week. It’s not fantastic but think it’s passable for the price. I think the only other twice oaked I’ve had is Woodford’s offering, the 2XO almost reminds me of a poor man’s version of it.

[@pwrbomb1970]

2XO American Oak and Foundation are two of my go to bourbons. I don’t have many of those kinds of bourbons. For the $$ spent you just cannot do better than those two. I get the 2XO for $38 and Foundation for $55. Give that bottle a bit of time. It gets better.

[@bradstrickland3978]

2nd time into 2XO after a couple weeks was surprisingly different, in a good way.👍

[@BondingOverBourbon]

Normally stave finished products make us run for the hills, but the American Oak is strangely magical and knocks it out of the park.

[@francisrizzo1529]

I generally skip the finished stuff so I would skip the mizunara and go straight to the Barrel Foundations, that's a solid bottle for $50.

[@jamesrupp479]

BREWZEL CHANNEL HAD THIS SPECIAL BARREL PRODUCT W/ORANGE LABEL.. EVERYBODY LOVES IT..

[@Redacted-Information]

FUNNY Trenton puts the Rebel 100 down Perfectly centered for the camera, then SLB readjusts it off center!

[@AllegedlyChill]

I opened my 2XO American Oak a few weeks ago, but drinking as I watched your video, I think by the power of your suggestion I was picking up that sharpie however lemon curd was slightly present on the sniff test. I mostly just got that heavy dose of vanilla. I did however enjoyed it! Keep up the good work!

[@James-xg5rh]

Please don’t let the new video editors start putting up clickbait titles. “Whiskey of the year” definitely shouldn’t be on this video outside of clickbait reasons. Love the channel btw. Probably my favorite right now. Just don’t want it to take a turn for the worst with outside editors.

[@poforeman]

Totally agree. That shit ruins a channel. These guys are too special to be tainted by clickbait editors

[@williamallison2150]

KZbin changed their algorithm to highly reward clickbait last year. It’s why everyone has titles like this now.

[@kurtludington5986]

Trent and or I are still choosing the titles for our videos. We will definitely keep these comments in mind so thank you for the opinion. @poforeman is exactly correct. Unfortunately there have been quite a few changes with KZbin over the last year so we are trying to adapt. I will say this, I would be shocked if this Barrell release isn’t in our top 5 for non allocated at the end of this year. Always appreciate your thoughts!

[@hulkslayer626]

I agree. Yeah, it might stunt the growth of the channel initially, and it will take much longer to "get big" if that is the goal, but your base will be stronger in the end. Quality over Quantity.

[@paleggett1897]

@@williamallison2150 I will just delete that channel from my choices. Plain and simple - stop promoting being an arse goniff…

[@bumpandrun]

I have a 2XO AO. I really enjoy double oaked products and I have enjoyed it. Will it replace Woodford DO on my shelf, absolutely not. At least in it's current version. I agree that it's kind of drying. It seems pretty young to me. I do look forward to trying what comes next though. Dixon knows what he is doing, I only see it getting better.

[@AlwaysChamps]

I think most bottles over $100 aren’t worth the extra money vs a good 50-80. E.g. Barrell WTRB KC SiB JDSBBP etc. there are some exceptions but diminishing returns generally.

[@teschvalleyrailroad]

One of my local liquor stores did a Rebel Wheated Barrel Pick and it was amazing. I bought 4 or 5 bottles over the year until he ran out.

[@zachw1815]

I just show up for Trent’s nose/taste notes. “It reminds me of hot dog water and burnt hair”

[@BenjaminMcKenzie-y2h]

Mizunara oak is a rare and flavorful Japanese oak that imparts sandalwood and coconut notes to whiskey.

[@Joe999v2]

Found Jim Beam 7 year for $18.99 in Missouri at a Sam’s Club

[@brianritchey7597]

$19.99 at my Sam's

[@williamcornelison4721]

Just to let you know that Jim Beam Black Aged is a winner.....Neat..... Thanks for the suggestion...

[@JimAlexanderJr]

Love me some Barrel.... will def. try this release.

[@deanpatterson4503]

I really enjoyed the Rebel 100, especially for the price. Haven't run across a 10 yr in my area. I liked Barrel Vantage, the Seagrass not so much.

[@applecrow8]

I've been trying to find 'Responsible' in my local area but no luck, does it come in single barrel or cask strength?

[@moguy1973]

Barrell has it priced for $84.99 on their website.

[@SmartMarvNet]

IS THE JUICE WORTH THE SQUEEZE! COME ON!🤣

[@chucknorris5141]

I was waiting for that as well. Disappointed!!

[@TonyGathers-lp3gp]

Great video guys I always appreciate your reviews helps me make choices. I always enjoy your guys choices. And you guys have gotten me to think outside of the box and try other bourbons

[@Spencer_Shea]

Barrel Vantage stays in my rotation.

[@safromnc8616]

You guys may have over paid for the Bird Dog...lol It's like $17-19 here in NC. Its a Japanese Oak...

[@jdlouxafterhours]

I got one in Denver at Total Wine for $20 a couple weeks ago.

[@michaelespinosa9168]

Seagrass is my favorite rye of all time

[@shadow5115]

Bird Dog 7 year was the first bottle I bought as a sipper. It was the first one to go into my infinity bottle.

[@thenateallen]

Any orange labeled Barrell I’ve had is fantastic!

[@BonesInTheWild]

I wish I had a nose….it all smells like kerosene to me. So I love hearing you guys describe the notes you’re picking up on the nose.

[@scoobtoober2975]

I shared a few samples with a new.old friend. he likes peat. I gave him my loved subtle peat things. Craigaillachie 13 and rootshoot american single malt. He liked the american single malt better. It has a kiss of peat, firm barrel, carmel, spice and medium full oily ness. I was surprised he liked it more than the craig. The point is you are my friends sharing. There's so many good options out there. Seems like 40-60 is the sweet spot. I hate to over pay. I more so hate to pay at all and not like it, even if it's 20$ to 100. Doesn't matter. Money is tight and flavor/preference is king. Not hype overpaying. I always price hunt and know if it's less than usual, get it. It's voting with your wallet and some day the hyped stuff with be reasonable again. I'm planning to get new riff barrel strength soon. I need a big hitter for a good price.

[@WhiskyForBeginners]

6:56 When I was a kid they were crescent rolls. 🙂

[@joshuabunkers1494]

Trenton on fire this show!!!

[@jamiestromberg8671]

I like Rebel's price point..Ii can usually get 100 for 20 bucks.. .Barrell may be my favorite distillery even though they are expensive they give such delicious and unique flavor

[@jesusjones3014]

Anyone else get weirded out when Trenton sticks his nose right on the bottle to take a wiff? Lol. Drives me nuts!

[@davidteller7681]

Nope 😁

[@jesusjones3014]

@@davidteller7681 guess I'm the only one who doesn't like nose hair and boogers in my whiskey bottles lol

[@DanielFlynn-bj4dy]

Love the site. Would be helpful to standardize the info for each bottle. Age statement(if given), mash bill, and ABV.

[@balkthor]

The flagship and the Seagrass rye are both insanely good. I usually scoff at blended whiskey but clearly these guys know what they’re doing.

[@BondingOverBourbon]

The Armida is absolutely delicious and we've haven't found anything else that tastes like it on the market.

[@balkthor]

@@BondingOverBourbon Good tip! I keep 1 bottle each of the 5 year, Dovetail, Vantage, and Seagrass behind my home office desk. I'll be on the lookout for the Armida to make it a round 5.

[@993C2S]

Great review. I’ll have to try that Barrell soon.

[@richdouglas2311]

This was an amazing video, consistent with the excellence they've brought. I'll check out the Barrell!

[@itsjackbandit]

1:57 might as well be a country song lyric

[@scoobtoober2975]

Please revisit these in a week. Neck pours are real as you mention it often. Cheers What barrel versions do you recommend. Just a few and not seagrass.

[@joshuabarnett780]

Mom is right. Grape nuts are great !!

[@jparkbrannen]

3:17 lol this image

[@krisandersen8695]

My wife is a big fan of Birddog Blackberry whiskey. I keep trying to tell her that it doesn't really count as "Bourbon", but she doesn't care. (I, of course, am a diehard fan of Wild Turkey 101 {also OGC 114})

[@brianritchey7597]

2XO is worth it. Didn't like it at first. Now I love it. Double Oak grew on me.

[@josephclites6971]

Trenton, I am def on the sharpie note, and I seem to get it on wheaters...especially Makers products!

[@Ona1000]

I like the 2XO American honestly. I do find it a bit raw but I think it's a solid offering

[@mpitts98]

Mizunara is a Mongolian Oak widely spread in northeast Asia.

[@Danny24C]

My very first whiskey was birddog peach too!

[@bobbocontreras5240]

Tried the 7yr Jim Beam. Good but saying it’s better than WT101 hurts but hey for the money I’d buy and crush all day for the money. Good mention. Me likey!

[@frankcampisi6031]

I actually love the whole 2XO line.i think they are doing great stuff.first time I disagree with you guys . Keep up the good contents guys.

[@bigchimpin4215]

Had a barrel pick for that rebel. Pretty tasty business. Gotta try that bottle of Barrell.

[@cdawson1911]

Not sure who’s going around sniffing markers but I don’t get sharpie. It’s not my favorite due to the harsh oak but it’s not terrible. Tastes like they rushed the process with a very dark char. Instead of aging it longer with a level 3 charred barrel.

[@devinfleming3975]

You guys should do a best 12 year blind. Jd 12 weller 12 1792 12 kc 12

[@Brad-ic4bp]

Agreed on the 2XO. I was skeptical when I saw the relatively low price, and rightly so, because it’s still overpriced.

[@bobbyoakes2378]

Mizunara is a type of japanese oak. Here is my trenton style question; why in american barrels do we center on white oak? We have black, red, and other oaks. Each i would assume impart unique flavors. Why not barrels with a combination of oak types and staves?

[@bill-qv3er]

The 2XO from Dixon Deadman is surprisingly inexpensive compared to his Kentucky Owl releases which were heinously overpriced for the juice in the bottle. The Rebel is a great pour! Mizunara trees are exclusive to the northern part of Japan and is one of the rarest and most expensive oaks in the world.

[@Chilliwack56]

My problem is the lack of variety here.....I live in BC, Canada and there is not a great selection (though we do have some good ones) so sometimes I admit to being jealous of the variety. I could take a trip across the line to shop but unfortunately Washington State is the closest and they have the highest liquor taxes in the US. For the most part, except for good sales, by the time you add taxes and exchange many comparable bottles are the same or cheaper up here.

[@BertS2X]

I often hear reviewers use the term "nuttiness" or a peanutty flavor when describing some bourbons. Where does this characteristic come from? Do some distillers actually use peanut or peanuts shells during the production process?

[@fishesdeep]

“Mizunara needs to be around 200 years old before it can be cut and used for casks. While some larger distilleries have access to forests, rights are often suspended to allow them to regrow. During these times, the available wood is sold at public auctions. The huge demand can cause prices to skyrocket. A single cask now costs more than $6,000. Distillers both in Japan and abroad have a hard time getting their hands on a cask. It’s a competitive business, and larger producers often get first pick. When left to mature correctly, a mizunara-aged whisky offers complex notes of sandalwood, coconut, spice and Japanese incense.”

[@thumperjdm]

The only Barrell I've had so far is "Tale of Two Islands" and it's absolutely yummy! 😃 p.s.--love the new graphic overview of the bottles! Maybe if they stayed on-screen for about 3 seconds...

[@markgale1644]

2XO American oak is a staple and we like it at 47 dollars

[@brianferreira3287]

I have an idea for a video series. How about a series starting with, "If I only had $30 bucks, what bottle would I buy?" And then increase the price by 10 bucks, i.e., $40, $50, 60, etc. Many times, I'll only have "x" amount of dollars to spend, and it would be nice to have a good idea in advance of what I should look for when I only have a certain amount of money to work with.

[@BamaMike79]

Trenton, how about a show on best bourbons note made in KY.

[@jtstone82]

Throw Elijah Craig Small Batch in that blind for Friday with Beam 7. EC SB is my fave sub 30 bottle. Would love to see how beam 7 hits against it. Thanks!

[@gerardstaniszewski8309]

Harry now has the 2xO for $30. Maybe that tells you something. My opinion was the same as yoursp. Was excited to get a 2xO for thirty. Might be worth thirty. I'd put it in the blind against the others in the Friday blind...

[@Kaaron81]

Another great video! Question for you both. I have family in Indianapolis so I visit there pretty often. Do you have any recommendations on places to buy bourbon? I went to a couple in April but the selection wasn’t great. We are in north Indy if that makes any difference.

[@mariojohnson4695]

Every Barrell product I see is expensive, $80-$250, I want to try one, but I never pull the trigger. Oftentimes they rate well, but my inexpensive ones I like rate better, so I buy the higher rated inexpensive bottles, for example Wild Turkey Rare Breed.

[@debbybrady1246]

Flavors of sandalwood and coconut.

[@davidlavin3492]

Found the Barrel amburana for $75. Best amburana I’ve had. Didn’t know they had a mizanura. Better than the new Rio. Rebel is always wheated and Ezra Broooks is not wheated

[@charlesgress4752]

Mizunara is also known and a Mongolian Oak

[@scoobtoober2975]

That restaurant has a solid liquid list. Nice. If i'm on a road trip ill hit it up.

[@cardinalj]

Hello fellas . I live in NWI , where is Harry's? It seems like they have good prices on some regular whiskey.

[@hollywoodmarine8828]

Great video, but the music reminds me of Mr . Roger’s neighborhood.

[@xGoTPaNcAkEsx4ever]

If you want the best price on that 2XO American oak, Costco has them for $39.99

[@Futureguitarist15]

Ive seen that barrel bottle at one of my local stores for $70. Ive heavily debated it because i love mizunara but my golden rule is no bottle over $40 that i havent tried before

[@LyleMyers]

Well ya know, rules are meant to be broken lol

[@jtel5630]

Love Bird Dog Peach

[@LyleMyers]

Curious as someone who’s new to appreciating bourbon. Is it fair to the bourbon to make influential opinions based on a neck pour? So many times now I have found that once the bourbon is down over the shoulder of the bottle and then allowed some time to do its thing it drinks much differently. Usually better in my opinion.

[@Best_Served_Neat_On_Ice]

It's actually *not* fair to make opinions based on a neck pour. You can't really see what the whiskey's about at the neck pour.

[@LyleMyers]

@@Best_Served_Neat_On_Ice Thanks, I agree and am experiencing it now. I bought a bottle of Heaven Hill’s 7 year in mid April, drank a couple of glasses and then didn’t open it again until this evening. I thought it was very good when I first opened it, now it is Heavenly. Pun both intended and not intended lol. But for real, what a difference.

[@WhiskyForBeginners]

It's not where in the bottle the whisky is. Between bottling and transportation, every drop in the bottle has been everywhere in the bottle by the time you open it. Shoot, you can shake the bottle up just before you open it, and mix the "neck pour" with the rest so thoroughly that it doesn't exist anymore. The question is *exposure to air.* You can open a bottle and pour nothing out for a few days, and the whiskey will begin to change. I've had bottles that got better, bottles that stayed the same, and bottles that got worse as I drank into them. It's just how the whisky opens up once it begins to interact with the air.

[@LyleMyers]

@@WhiskyForBeginners My guy, yes of course it’s about the introduction of air to the bottle 🤣 My point was that if I pour it down to just over the shoulder and give it time it changes, as in opens up and develops flavor. Down over the shoulder is about giving it a little more headspace for that interaction to occur. My understanding is once it’s down to a quarter of a bottle and much time, like a year, has passed the quality will degrade from over oxidation. So yes, head matters lol.

[@WoodBilly53]

What's a good Barrell bourbon substitute ?

[@eviltrain24]

That Birddog sounds awful. I’ve had bottles that turn tannic in the finish. Almost inevitably, the more I drink those types of bottles the less and less I enjoy the experience. The Costco Kirkland straight (1792 juice) comes to mind. Good nose, great on arrival, but the back end gets worse and worse with each sip. It’s taken awhile, but I am discovering I have a lower limit when it comes to quality that hovers somewhere around the lower middle shelf stuff. Cheap is no longer reason enough to try them on a whim.

[@kevinjacquel]

I can’t get the full orange label barrel’s in pa 😢

[@kevinjacquel]

Love the I’m not mad, I’m disappointed

[@buckbryant8599]

Looking forward to Friday blind

[@brandonrathbun4318]

"You think I did any research here? I did not." - trent

[@scoobtoober2975]

Rebel 100 non age stated should be 21$ don't over pay. It's a smokin deal compared to mm regular. If you like wheaters.

[@Lithanify]

Was at Lux Row last week and they had all the Penelope's for sale and the bar did a Penelope flight. Safe to assume they are making Penelope too? (Trenton doesn't mention them when talking about what he knows from Lux Row). Seeing the Barrel for $85 on Barrel's site. Poor Bird Dog... $25 bottle going up against $50-90 bottles. Had no chance.

[@BlankenshiptheDevil]

MGP owns LuxRow, who now owns Penelope, who sourced from MGP prior to acquisition.

[@elijoslin1289]

I’ve seen that barrel bottle at Costco for around 60 bucks

[@LethitaNemedian]

I'm a simple man. I see Barrell in the thumbail, I click.