Beer Barrel Bourbon - Sweet Heat
$29.99
Beer Barrel Bourbon – Sweet Heat
Proof: 70
Age: 1 Year Bourbon Aged in Dragon’s Milk Stout Barrels
Distillery: New Holland Brewing Company
Type: Finished / Flavored Bourbon (White Peach & Steeped in Arbol Chilis)
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 Peach and Chili is dominant. There’s slight ethanol but it’s muted.
Taste/Palate: Very Sweet on the Palate. The Peach comes forward first with a thick texture. The heat from the steeped Arbol Chilis gradually comes in and picks up heat with each passing sip.
Finish: The Peach and Chilis stay with you for some time and slowly fade away.
Versatility: With the heat this provides you’re somewhat limited as to what you can make with this. The Beer Barrel Bourbon – Baked Apple Pie has many more options.
Verdict: Similar to their Baked Apple Pie the label doesn’t lie. You get exactly what is promised. It’s a little sweet for me to drink neat on the regular. Ice mutes it and balances the sweetness. When added to a distiller suggested cocktail (See recipe’s below) it provides a fun drink. Think of this as a fun shot and/or mixer. It’s very similar to Ole Smokey – Mango Habanero Whiskey. If you’re looking for traditional Bourbon flavor I was hard pressed to find it. The Peach and Chili is up front and center. I enjoy “spicy”, so I did enjoy this bottle, but as I mentioned if you are buying this thinking that the peach and chilis will be subtle and expecting traditional bourbon flavors I think you’ll be disappointed.
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.
Suggested Distiller Mixes:
Shot – The Heater: 1 Part Beer Barrel Bourbon Sweet Heat / 2 Parts Pineapple Juice.
Cocktail – Southern Heat: 2oz Beer Barrel Bourbon Sweet Heat / 4oz unsweetened iced tea / 1oz simple syrup / .5oz lemon juice – Shaken and poured over ice in a Mason jar with mint sprig and lemon wedge.
Additional Suggestions From Me:
Shot – Straight: But put it in the freezer prior to serving.
Cocktail – Spicy Peach Fizz – 1.5oz Beer Barrel Bourbon Sweat Heat / 1oz Amaretto / Topped with 7up.
**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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