“a bit spicier than the sour mash version, with the toasted barrel bringing a slight taste of oak and chocolate, but the basics remain, in the form of caramel, nougat, (creme brulee) with a sweeter profile bringing about a silky smooth flavour....to make this a top class drink it needs to be elevated to a higher ABV, similar to the 15-year-old Pappy Van Winkle, which is 53.5%, which once was about $150 at least 10 years ago, until the celebrities, ( an undeserved, overused word) started promoting it). I can speak from experience, as I've purchased many bottles of the 10-12-13-15-20 and 23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle range, when they were much cheaper, way back, (eg the 23 Pappy was $390 a bottle) but getting back to the Toasted Barrel, I think the sour mash is better value, QPR wise.....but I still like the Toasted Barrel, as there's something about the different flavour profile which is created by charring the barrel”
