First, let me say that I bought this bottle before its fame came from making several 2022 Top 10 Whiskey of the year lists. Although I will have to admit, that I did not happen to stubble upon this bottle by chance. Rather, after watching several Youtubers enjoy this whiskey, I too became intrigued enough to purchase a bottle for myself. Coming in as number three (3) in Whiskey Advocate’s Top 20 whiskies of 2022, today’s review is from Barrell Craft Spirits, Barrell Vantage.

From the Barrell Craft Spirits (BCS) website: Our unique vantage point in the whiskey world, combined with a passion for experimentation and nuance, has inspired us to produce a blend with impeccable balance and depth of flavor. Barrell Vantage is the result of deliberately pairing specifically identified bourbons with carefully selected cooperage, giving rise to a final expression that focuses on the subtle flavors and their compounding profiles. Vantage is a blend of straight bourbons finished in three distinct expressions of virgin oak: Mizunara, French, and toasted American oak casks. The result is a warm, elegant bourbon that highlights the many dimensions of oak.

Like most products from Barrell Craft Spirits I have had the pleasure of trying, this bottle of bourbon whiskey was relatively available in NoCo when it was released. However, since receiving the number three whiskey of the year distinction from Whiskey Advocate, it has become a difficult bottle to now find; especially when you are looking for a backup bottle. Additionally adding to it’s scarcity, many local NoCo stores have increased the price of this bottle, making it no longer affordably priced.

Overall, like their Seagrass release I fell in love with in 2021, this is a bottle I would recommend everyone at least try once, but definitely buy if you like fruity notes. Very fruit forward, which I find typically in BCS products, Barrell Vantage also has your typical bourbon notes mixed with that fruit forwardness and finishing in unique woodiness and char. Even if the distillery description or this review does not sound appealing to you, this is a must-try for the eccentric flavors of this bottle alone. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Very Fruit Forward (Orange and Apricot) Vanilla, Oak, Brown Sugar, Soft Caramel Candy, and Spice
• Palate: Vanilla, Dry Oak, Caramel, Apricot or Orange Fruitiness, and Baking Spice
• Finish: Medium to Long with Building Heat on the Tongue/Throat (But Not a Colorado Winters Hug) and Several Notes of Woodiness and Dry Oak mixed with Char and Minimal Fruity Sweetness
• 2023 MSRP: $85
• 2023 National Average: $94
• Proof: 114.44
• My Rating: Drink It!/Save It! (Excellent bourbon whiskey, but I am not sure it makes my Top 2022 Whiskey of the Year, but it might!)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman