It’s always exciting when a brand-new bourbon from an independent bottler hits the market. Barrell Craft Spirits, renowned for its quality brews, has impressed drinkers with its Barrel Bourbon Batch 033. Officially released in July 2022, this full-flavored copper-colored bourbon gave tasters and the media much to rave about. 

Cigar & Spirits Magazine awarded the blended bourbon “Double Gold” at the “World Spirits Competition 2022.” The beverage also received the “Gold Winner” award at the “John Barleycorn Awards 2022.” Maxim magazine included Batch 033 in its authoritative list of “The Best Bourbons of 2022.” 

While all these awards and media attention bode well for Barrel Craft Spirits, you’re likely wondering what makes Batch 033 stand apart from other bourbons in the market. And it’s a competitive market, with established brands like Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, and Wild Turkey vying for a slice of a global market worth 8.8 billion dollars. Barrell Bourbon Batch 033 won’t make a dent in the sales of the big-name brands, but it will appeal to true bourbon enthusiasts. 

If you’re in that exclusive group of drinkers who enjoy artisanal beverages and unique brews, then Batch 033 is right for you. Beyond the awards and fanfare, it’s a bourbon made to invigorate taste buds everywhere. Here’s what you need to know about one of 2022’s most coveted bourbons.

When And Where Was Barrell Craft Spirits Founded? 

Barrell Craft Spirits is a beverage company founded in 2013 and based in Louisville, Kentucky. The location is a good choice since Kentucky is the mecca of the North American liquor industry. Joe Beatrice, a former tech entrepreneur, decided to launch the company after a whiskey-tasting session. 

After this profound experience of tasting directly from a barrel, Joe decided to bring his business skills to the spirits industry. But instead of establishing another independent distillery in the region, he attempted something unique with great success. He bought and blended casks from existing distillers, then bottled these for sale. 

However, the company never hid the fact that they sourced their bourbon, whiskey, rye, and rum from other distillers. This honest approach and the company’s commitment to delivering quality products have earned it many loyal customers worldwide. To date, customers in the USA, Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia, and the UK can purchase Barrel Craft Spirits highly-acclaimed beverages.

How Is Barrell Bourbon Batch 033 Made?

For Batch 033, Barrell Craft Spirits sourced casks from distilleries based in Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Barrell Craft Spirits has not revealed these distilleries, but given the quality of the casks, we can only assume that these are from established artisanal distilleries. However, we do know that the aging process ranges from five to nine years in high-corn and high-rye oak barrels. 

But why did Barrel Craft Spirits choose these specific barrels? The high-corn barrels contain butterscotch, citrus, and coffee notes, whereas the high-rye barrels contain black pepper, nutmeg, and stone fruit notes. Extra attention goes into distillation and blending to ensure a perfect balance.

Barrel Craft Spirits will carefully blend a pair of casks for two months and then make the necessary adjustments. Every cask helps build the beverage’s character by adding distinguishable leafy and fruity notes and neutered woody and spicy notes. 

After this thorough process, the bottling process begins in Kentucky. Then, every Barrel Bourbon Batch 033 reaches customers in a visually appealing bottle and label. The label will excite bourbon collectors and connoisseurs since it contains hand-written information containing the following: batch number, bottle number, age, proof, and alcohol by volume (ABV).

How Much Does A Bottle Of Barrell Bourbon Batch 033 Cost? 

During its July 2022 launch, a 750ml bottle of Barrel Bourbon Batch 033 would set you back US$ 90. But over a year later, with dwindling supplies of Batch 033 available, expect to pay a bit more than MSRP. Online liquor store Frootbat sells a five-year-old Batch 033 with a 58.3% ABV for US$ 117.99 while in stock. 

Given its limited availability, we recommend picking up a bottle swiftly. But don’t despair if you can’t get hold of a bottle of Batch 033, as Batch 034 hit the market earlier in 2023 for US$ 84.99. Furthermore, Batch 029, 032, and 035 are also available for US$ 84.99 directly from Barrell Craft Spirits.

What Does Batch 033 Taste Like? 

Barrell Craft Spirits never include water, flavoring, or coloring during blending. The company always keeps the production process of its bourbons as pure and traditional as possible. Therefore, each bottle of Batch 033 perfectly replicates the strength and taste of the beverage as it is in the cask. 

Since each batch contains different ages and methodologies aimed at increasing flavor complexity, there’s great diversity in Batch 033 alone. You may purchase two bottles of Batch 033 and find them tasting different based on each bottle’s specific age and unique blending methodology. 

Even so, each bottle of Barrell Bourbon Batch 033 won’t be so different that you won’t notice certain commonalities. On the nose, you’ll pick up bold aromas of cinnamon, jasmine, lemon meringue, pear, peppermint, and pie crust. 

Expect a rich and full-flavored experience on the palate with applesauce, champagne, and grapefruit notes in play. Cocoa powder, juniper, and star anise notes help add complexity and round off the bourbon’s exquisite flavor. 

Also, expect a longer-than-usual finish with baking spices, butterscotch, and molasses. The beverage leaves a slightly bitter trail of lime peel and gentiana. During the entire tasting process, expect a smooth and complex interplay between fruity, woody, and savory notes. 

Overall, Barrell Bourbon Batch 033 is incredibly well-balanced, making it worth the asking price. And if you’re new to the American bourbon scene, this batch may turn you into a longtime fan.

The Bottom Line About Batch 033

Barrell Craft Spirits has done a phenomenal job blending, bottling, and releasing high-quality brews. The company is only a decade old, but it has given bourbon fans and critics many reasons to pay attention every time it releases a new batch. 

Barrell Bourbon Batch 033 did much more than that, with its plethora of awards and accompanying media frenzy. Yet no fan should ever miss out on such a perfectly blended bourbon. Follow Distillery Nearby to learn more about the beverages emerging from trailblazing distilleries and bottling companies.