Beer Barrel Bourbon - Baked Apple Pie
$29.99
Beer Barrel Bourbon – Baked Apple Pie
Proof: 70
Age: 1 Year Bourbon Aged in Dragon’s Milk Stout Barrels
Distillery: New Holland Brewing Company
Type: Finished / Flavored Bourbon (Apple, Cinnamon, and Pie Crust Flavoring)
Mash: Unknown
Website: New Holland Brewing Co
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Incredibly Sweet. The label doesn’t lie. You get Apple, Cinnamon, and alcohol to inform you it’s got some in there.
Taste/Palate: Very Sweet on the Palate upfront. It’s dominant with Apple Crumble and finishes strong with Cinnamon.
Finish: Simple. Apple, Cinnamon, and Crust. Exactly what’s on the bottle. It’s still very sweet but the Cinnamon brings that down a touch with a slight spice.
Versatility: I was quickly able to whip up a bunch of Cocktails using this Baked Apple Pie Bourbon. In the hands of a truly experienced bartender (Obviously not me), they could make some pretty cool things with this. Most of the things I put together all turned out good. The mule I posted below I really liked so I’m sharing.
Verdict: Similar to the Beer Barrel Bourbon – Sweet Heat, the label doesn’t lie. You get exactly what is promised. I could sip on this neat or put it on ice, but I would trend towards a non-flavored spirit when doing that. I actually found Baked Apple Pie was much better when experimenting with cocktails. I put the distillers suggested recipes at the bottom of this review, but I also put a very simple and tasty recipe one of my own, which is a mule. This is a fun new flavor and my wife enjoyed the Summer Apple Mule I made for her. If you are buying this thinking that it’s a traditional bourbon, with traditional bourbon flavors, and you will get an essence of apple, cinnamon, etc, that is not the case. It’s flavor forward and that’s ok, it’s clearly on the label. These should start hitting the shelves starting today 3/1/22.
The Story: Can flavor be added and still be considered Bourbon? This was a question that I asked myself a few years ago when I started to see it immerge. A quick Google search says no. But there’s technicalities. First, there’s the TTB.Gov. That’s the Alcohol control board that sets regulations on what’s Bourbon. Then there’s the BAM (Beverage Alcohol Manual) which is also provided by the TTB. Think of the BAM as the summary of the TTB regs. From my somewhat limited research the TTB actual regulations and the BAM guidance are at slight odds on this topic. From what I can find in my research the BAM is clear on the topic, but the TTB Regulations might have more ambiguous language. I’m sure there’s some legal bourbon fans that can go into more detail, but from what I can gather as long as it’s classified for what it is it’s ok. You see this all the time. “Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Finished in Port Casks”. The Finished in Port casks sets it as a specialty class. Same for Sweet Heat.
This was a hot topic many moons ago then it was found that Templeton Rye was adding flavoring to their Rye Whiskey to give it a “Prohibition Taste”, but didn’t disclose the flavorings on the bottle. In this day and age, these types of Bourbons/Whiskies make it pretty clear what they are. Case and Point – “Traverse City – Bourbon Whiskey Infused with Traverse City Cherries & Natural Flavor”.
The Distillery’s Story: New Holland Brewing Company is best known for their beer line. Based out of Holland Michigan. You might recognize them by their most notable product “Dragons Milk”. I’ve been a big fan of that beer for a while. As for spirits you might have heard of them with their popular Bourbon “Beer Barrel Bourbon”. They have a strong following regarding craft beers and they are gaining to solid footing in the spirits category. It would be a tip of the cap if they could add a highly sought after product line – Such as their Sherry Cask Finished Single Malt Being Reviewed here. After their release of the complex Single Malt 10 Year Cherry Cask Finish, they then jumped into the market with more “Fun” Flavored Bourbons. Sweet Heat and Baked Apple Pie.
For more info on New Holland check out the link to their website and see what they have to say in their own words.
Distiller Suggested Mixes:
Straight: Poured Over Ice
Shot – Michigan Apple: 1.5oz Beer Barrel Bourbon Baked Apple Pie / 1oz apple cider.
Cocktail – The Orchard: 2oz Beer Barrel Bourbon Baked Apple Pie / 2oz apple cider / 1oz lemon juice / 2 dashes of Aromatic bitters / 1oz brown sugar syrup – Shaken and poured over ice in a Mason jar.
My Own Concoction:
Cocktail – Summer Apple Mule: 2oz Beer Barrel Bourbon Baked Apple Pie / 3oz Ginger Beer / 1oz Lime Juice / 2 Dashes of Orange Bitters / 2 Dashes of Aromatic Bitters – Stir and Serve in your Favorite Mule Glass with sliced apple wedge.
**This sample was provided by the distillery. The sample in no way impacts the impartial review.
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Solid. It hit all of what’s expected.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Reviewer: David S
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