Review by: Raygun

Barrell is known for some unusual blends, and these are certainly up there. Not even sure how to categorize these when they blend American, Canadian, and Scottish whisky. But Barrell is American, so I guess American whiskey. The Infinite series is an exclusive for t8ke, consisting of six different whiskies (plus a seventh for III) blended and then finished in different casks. All 17 years or older.

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Barrell Infinite I  

Whiskies: 17 year Tennessee bourbon, 17 year Indiana bourbon, 17 year Canadian rye, 17 year Canadian whiskey, 22 year Scottish whisky, 24 year Canadian whisky.  

Bottler: Barrell 

Region/style: blended whiskey 

ABV: 60.82%. Cask strength. 

Age: 17 years. Bottled in 2024.  

Cask type: Finished in Barbados rum casks  

Color: 1.3 russet

Nose: I’d call the nose more rye-like than anything else. Definite spice to it, and it’s not overwhelmingly oaky. Mint and dill, passion fruit, lemon, caramel, and apricot.    

Palate: The fresh aspects of the nose carry over. More caramel, citrus and mint. Then the rye spice picks up. Cinnamon, sassafras, and caraway. Get a bit of root beer now, and some lemon tea. 

Finish: Mint is more assertive. Caramel, lemon, and orange. Rye spice remains prominent. Drying, but not a ton of oak. Black tea with honey.

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Barrell Infinite II  

Whiskies: 17 year Tennessee bourbon, 17 year Indiana bourbon, 17 year Canadian rye, 17 year Canadian whiskey, 22 year Scottish whisky, 24 year Canadian whisky.  

Bottler: Barrell 

Region/style: blended whiskey 

ABV: 59.11%. Cask strength. 

Age: 17 years. Bottled in 2024.   

Cask type: Finished in Ratafia de Champagne casks  

Color: 1.4 tawny

Nose: Similarly rye-forward, but this has an extra richness to it, like brioche or cake. Yeast, green grapes, plums, and caramel.      

Palate: Stronger on the fruit for sure. Plum tart, grapes, and some lemon. The yeasty flavor is there as well. Then I get the rye spice. Recognizably similar, but the finishes make a noticeable difference for sure. Brighter and sweeter than I. 

Finish: Gets sweeter and more cake-like here. More of a dessert vibe. Yeast, grapes, plums, even some peach. The spice is there, but milder compared with I.

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Conclusion: Very fun comparison. I was not familiar with Ratafia de Champagne, which is a mistelle made with the juice left over after the first pressing(s) taken for Champagne fortified with brandy. Not sure how it is on its own, but makes for a tasty finishing cask. I enjoyed how different these were; clearly related but the finishes contributed something distinct to each. Not very bourbon-y and might not appeal to those looking for that profile. I found both thoroughly enjoyable. I’ll give a slight edge to II this time, but in other moods I wouldn’t be surprised if I preferred I.

Score:
I: 86
II: 87

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Stagg Jr batch 12)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (new))
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Pikesville Rye)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Wild Turkey 101)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Maker’s Mark)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Grandad 114)
• 0-49: Blech. (High West Yippee-ki-yay)