RECENT NOTABLE PRESS
Read Recent Notable Press
View Recent Interviews and Podcasts

RECENT NOTABLE PRESS

Maxim includes Barrell Seagrass in the
Best New American Rye Whiskeys of 2021.
READ PRESS
Breaking Bourbon lists Barrell Seagrass
on the Best American Whiskeys of 2021.
READ PRESS
Newsweek - Barrell Seagrass listed as one
of the Best Alcohol Gifts for 2021 .
READ PRESS
Wine Enthusiast - Barrell Private Release A01A Bourbon
picked as one of the Best 13 Bourbons of 2021.
READ PRESS
The Whiskey Jug rated Barrell Bourbon Batch 030 a 4/5, saying, “Barrell Bourbon Batch 030 is a fun curveball I’ll definitely be coming back to.” 
READ PRESS
The Whiskey Tornado lists Barrell Bourbon Batch 027
and Barrell Seagrass in the Top 5 Bourbons of 2021.
READ PRESS
VinePair includes Barrell Seagrass on
their list of the 50 Best Spirits of 2021.
READ PRESS
Barrell Craft Spirits Launches Limited-Edition and
Ultra-Rare BCS Gold Label Bourbon.
READ PRESS
VinePair includes Barrell Seagrass and Stellum Rye on their list of the 30 Best Rye Whiskey Brands (2021) as part of their Buy This Booze series.
READ PRESS
Breaking Bourbon reviews Barrell Bourbon Batch 030, saying, “there are a surprising amount of new flavors that haven’t been present in previous Barrell blends.”
READ PRESS
Zach Johnston includes Barrell Armida and Stellum Bourbon in his Uproxx article The Best New Bourbon Whiskeys Under $100.
READ PRESS
Barrell Armida is included in Zach Johnston’s recent blind taste test for Uproxx - see how it did.
READ PRESS
Uproxx includes BCS Gray Label in their article Expand Your Whiskey Palate With These Sourced Bourbons, saying, “this is another bottle that easily outshines bottles twice the price.”
READ PRESS
We're honored that Barrell Bourbon Batch 029 received the highest rating for bourbon in the Whisky Advocate Fall 2021 issue. Executive Editor David Fleming described this whiskey as being “loaded with well-integrated flavors.”
READ PRESS
Barrell Seagrass in partnership with the Ocean Foundation is now available at select retailers and online here 
READ PRESS
Thank you to Susannah Skivver Barton for including us on Inside Hook’s Whiskey Release Schedule
READ PRESS
Thank you to VinePair for including Barrell Seagrass as part of their Buy This Booze series and saying, "the balance achieved and the unique flavor profile is nothing short of remarkable."
READ PRESS
Drew Beard of Drinkhacker reviews Barrell Bourbon Batch 029, rating it a 8.5/10 - "surprisingly delicate but still engaging."
READ PRESS
Barrell Bourbon Batch 028 was given 92 points in the Fall 2021 issue of Whisky Advocate. The palate was described as being “velvety” and tasting of a “bounty of delicious orchard fruits.”
READ PRESS
WhiskeyFellow reviews Barrell Bourbon Gray Label, saying, "you'll want to drink this."
READ PRESS
Drew Beard of Drinkhacker reviews Barrell Bourbon Batch 029, rating it a 8.5/10, "surprisingly delicate but still engaging."
READ PRESS
Thank you to VinePair for including Barrell Seagrass as part of their Buy This Booze series and saying, "the balance achieved and the unique flavor profile is nothing short of remarkable."
READ PRESS
Barrell Craft Spirits is included on InsideHook’s list of the 24 Most Interesting Rums to Try on National Rum Day.
READ PRESS
Whiskeyfellow reviews Barrell Bourbon Batch 030, saying, “blending is an art form, and this was a masterpiece.”
READ PRESS
Zach Johnston of Uproxx reviews Barrell Seagrass, describing this release as “very soft and easy to sip on the front of the palate while taking you on a bit of a rollercoaster to that fruity, woody, and dry finish.”
READ PRESS
Whiskey Fellow reviews Barrell Private Release Whiskey CH21, saying, “this snags a Bottle rating for me, and if you tend to agree with my palate, you're going to find it fascinating, too.”
READ PRESS
InsideHook says "Barrell hits a home run (again)" and includes Batch 030 in the Best New Whiskeys to Seek out this Month.
READ PRESS
Drinkhacker reviews Barrell Seagrass, saying, “like Barrell’s other special editions, this thing is a flavor roller coaster. Definitely worth the price of admission.”
READ PRESS
Barrell Bourbon Batch 029 scores second place in a blind taste test for UPROXX’s recent article Barrel Proof Bourbon Whiskeys From 2021, Blind Tested And Ranked.
READ PRESS
Executive Editor David Fleming includes Barrell Bourbon Batch 027 on Whisky Advocate’s list of the 10 Highest-Scoring Whiskies in the Summer 2021, calling it a “well-structured whiskey.”
READ PRESS
Whisky Advocate rates both Barrell Bourbon Batch 027 and the 2020 bottling of BCS Bourbon 93 points.
READ PRESS
Breaking Bourbon reviews Barrell Bourbon Batch 029, saying that this release “offers a range of different flavors that all come together while still maintaining a familiar-enough bourbon-centric base to satisfying results.”
READ PRESS
Barrell Bourbon is included in Susannah Skiver Barton’s article for Men’s Journal Yes, You Can Drink Whiskey in Summer. These Cask-Strength Bourbons and Ryes Are Perfect on the Rocks.
READ PRESS
Uproxx includes Barrell Armida and Stellum Bourbon on their list of The Best Bourbon Whiskeys Of 2021 (So Far).
READ PRESS
Barrell Dovetail is included on Susannah Skiver Barton’s list for Men’s Journal of 5 Affordable Limited-Edition Bourbons and Whiskeys You Can Actually Find.
READ PRESS
Thirty One Whiskey reviews Barrell Bourbon Single Barrel Z1C0, saying, “the flavors are exactly what you’d hope to see in a good bourbon, and the depth and saturation that comes from a cask strength bottling lets it really stand up to some of the tougher preparations like the old fashioned and the mule.”
READ PRESS
We’re honored that Barrell Seagrass was selected as Best in Spirits in the 2021 Best of the Best from Robb Report.
READ PRESS
Whiskey Raiders declares, “with Barrell Seagrass on shelves, Rye fans need despair no longer” in their article Barrell’s Newest Rye May Just Be The Best Rye Of The Year.
READ PRESS
Inside Hook includes Barrell Craft Spirits on their list of The 50 Best American Whiskeys and Bourbons for the Fourth of July.
READ PRESS
Cyties includes Barrell Seagrass on their list of 7 Whiskeys for Father's Day, saying, "pour Dad a drink of Seagrass and watch his cares melt away as he daydreams of the sun warming his face on a white sand beach."
READ PRESS
In his Bevvy article Barrell Craft Spirits Is Blending Bourbon—And a Whole Lot Else—Its Own Way, Eric Twardzik interviews BCS Founder Joe Beatrice and concludes by telling readers, "expect a whole lot more of where that came from."
READ PRESS
The Whiskey Wash reviews Barrell Seagrass, saying, “I’d pick some up, because—like a gorgeous Pacific Northwest summer—it won’t stick around long.”
READ PRESS
Men's Health includes BCS Bourbon on their list of the 47 Best Gifts for Whiskey Lovers: "a complex spirit that’s worth savoring."
READ PRESS
Bourbon Culture reviews Barrell Bourbon Batch 029, saying, "if you liked Batch 020 [...] this will also be right up your alley."
READ PRESS
BCS Founder Joe Beatrice featured in Bourbon and Banter’s article American Blend - The Future is Here, where he notes the difference between “blended whiskey” & “blending with whiskey.”
READ PRESS
Barrell Private Release Bourbon A01A earns 96 points from Kara Newman at Wine Enthusiast, who notes that "while this cask-strength beast opens fiery, adding just enough water brings out a bright and fruity side."
READ PRESS
Kara Newman of Wine Enthusiast gives Barrell Bourbon Batch 026 93 points, saying, "look for a bold vanilla bean aroma and dusty nutmeg and black pepper at first sip."
READ PRESS
Men's Journal features Barrell Private Release Bourbon BA1C in their article The Best Whiskeys of 2021, According to the San Francisco World Spirits Competition
READ PRESS
Spy.com includes Barrell Bourbon Batch 028 on their list of The 12 Best Bourbons To Drink in 2021.
READ PRESS
Gear Patrol includes Barrell Bourbon and Stellum Bourbon on their list of The 19 Best Bourbon Whiskeys You Can Buy in 2021.
READ PRESS
Maxim includes Barrell Private Release Bourbon BA1C in their article The Best Whiskeys and Spirits of 2021, According to a Top Spirits Competition.
READ PRESS
Uproxx includes BCS Bourbon on their list of The Best Bottles Of Bourbon Whiskey Between (Gulp) $200-$300, calling it "another bottle that easily outshines bottles twice the price."
READ PRESS
Barrell Seagrass was reviewed by Breaking Bourbon, who described the palate as "a creamy medley of red summer fruits, sugary vanilla molasses, and a twinge of apricot brandy form a club you’ll want to get into."
READ PRESS
Fatherly includes Barrell Seagrass on their list of The Best Whiskey of 2021…So Far, saying, "with every sip the mouth is greeted with a wash of tropical fruit, followed by a flow of vanilla, herbal notes and rye spice."
READ PRESS
Whisky Advocate includes Batch 026 on their list of the 10 Highest-Scoring Whiskies in the Spring 2021 Buying Guide.
READ PRESS
Whisky Advocate gave Barrell Bourbon Batch 026 a 93 in their spring rating guide.
READ PRESS
VinePair lists 8 Things You Should Know About BCS
READ PRESS
Robb Report lists Armida as one of The 11 Best Cask-Finished American Whiskeys
READ PRESS
Barrell Armida is included on Uproxx’s list of The Best Bottles Of Bourbon Whiskey Between $100-$125, where it was described as having a “super clear pear note that is so pear, you’ll think you’re about to eat a perfectly ripe one.”
READ PRESS
Barrell Craft Spirits Introduces Barrell Seagrass
READ PRESS
Whisky Advocate highlights BCS Founder Joe Beatrice in their #TasteWithSpace series. Senior Editor Susannah Skiver Barton recaps Beatrice’s interview with Associate Editor Ted Simmons, emphasizing the meticulous nature of the work of BCS.
READ PRESS
Our Assistant Blender Nic Christiansen was included in The Bourbon Review's article Founders & Creators: 22 Women of Whiskey, a list that highlights the growing role of women in the whiskey business.
READ PRESS
Batch 027 included on Food and Wine's list of The 9 Best Bourbons to Start Your Collection, where it was described as, "a cherry bomb of a whiskey."
READ PRESS
Associate Editor Ted Simmons includes Barrell Bourbon Batch 025 in Whisky Advocate's list of 5 High-Quality Barrel-Proof Bourbons to Try Now.
READ PRESS
Robb Report includes Barrell Tale of Two Islands on their list of the 21 Best Rums of the 21st Century (So Far), Ranked
READ PRESS
Barrell Craft Spirits was featured in Elite Traveler's article The Best Bourbon Brands in the World for our Private Release Bourbon series.
READ PRESS
Barrell Bourbon Batch 026 was featured in American Whiskey Magazine, where Peggy Noe Stevens and Susan Reigler give their own tasting notes and each rate this release higher than a 9.0. Stevens rounds out the review by commenting, "Get excited folks, a truly traditional Bourbon with beautiful complexity and balance."
READ PRESS
Barrell Craft Spirits was featured in Jake Emen’s Distiller article, Bourbon Blending: Brands Emphasizing the Blend. “Combining these different bourbon whiskeys together to create a unique product isn’t something Barrell Craft Spirits is hiding from. On the contrary, it’s the whole point.”
READ PRESS
Executive Editor Jeffery Lindenmuth of Whisky Advocate selected Barrell Bourbon Batch 025 as one of the three Standout Whiskies From Winter 2020. Lindenmuth described Batch 025 as having a palate that is "wonderfully dense with fruit, including flavors of marmalade, strawberry jam, and bright tropical fruits, woven with more spice."
READ PRESS
Barrell Rye Batch 003 was featured in Esquire, where it was referred to as “one of the best releases to hit the shelves in 2020.”
READ PRESS
Garden and Gun included Barrell Bourbon New Year 2021 on their list of 6 New and Distinctive Bourbons to Add to Your Collection, where it was noted that “the 113.9 proof bourbon is layered with fresh, fruity flavors.”
READ PRESS
Is there such a thing as too much whiskey? See what BCS founder Joe Beatrice thinks in this article from Inside Hook.
READ PRESS
BCS Bourbon included in Men's Health "Top 50 Best Gifts for Whiskey Lovers"
READ PRESS
Dovetail featured in the 2020 Food and Wine's Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide
READ PRESS
Barrell Armida was included on Maxim’s list of The Best New American Whiskeys of 2020, noting that the unique blend creates a “complex whiskey that pairs ripe, floral pear notes with hints of spice and citrus.”
READ PRESS
Business Wire: Barrell Craft Spirits Launches Private Release Bourbon Series
READ PRESS
Brad Japhe includes the 2020 bottling of BCS Bourbon on his Forbes list of the World’s Best Bourbon Whiskey: 2020 New Releases, calling it, "a truly captivating sipping experience."
READ PRESS
In his recent article on Distiller, Jake Emen delves into the "Magic of Blending," calling BCS blending "a work of art whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts, ready to surprise and delight the aficionados who seek it out."
READ PRESS
Business Wire: Barrell Craft Spirits Introduces Barrell Armida
READ PRESS
Barrell Craft Spirits Launches in the Land Down Under
READ PRESS
Uproxx includes Barrell Bourbon Batch 023 on their list of Bourbons that Perfectly Bridge The Gap Between Summer And Fall, calling this release a “highly nuanced, complex bourbon.”
READ PRESS
BUSINESS WIRE – Dovetail Awarded Chairman’s Trophy at the 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge
READ PRESS
Brad Japhe's write up of Barrell Craft Spirits' Private Release Program featured in the Wall Street Journal.
READ PRESS
Joe Beatrice offers insight into Barrell's blending process in this Distiller article by Jake Emen, providing step-by-step suggestions for at-home whiskey blending, and sharing hints from years in the trade.
READ PRESS
Whisky Advocate gives Barrell Bourbon Batch 023 a rating of 92, including it on their list of the 7 Barrel Proof Bourbons To Try Now, calling it "a really well-balanced whiskey, with sweetness, spice, and fruit working in harmony."
READ PRESS
Business Wire: Barrell Craft Spirits Batch 021 Named “Best Bourbon” at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
READ PRESS
Inside Hook: The Story Behind Barrell, The Year's Best, Most Untraditional Bourbon
READ PRESS
Beverage Dynamics Interview with Founder Joe Beatrice and Master Distiller Tripp Stimson
READ PRESS
Forbes Magazine: Bourbon’s Rule Breaker: How Barrell Craft Spirits Upblended The Whiskey Industry
READ PRESS
Esquire Includes Barrell Bourbon On Their List Of The 10 Best Bourbon Whiskey Brands To Drink Right Now
READ PRESS
Maxim includes Barrell Bourbon Batch 020 in its “10 Best New Bottles For Bourbon Heritage Month”
READ PRESS
Barrell Bourbon Batch 021 listed as Editor's Choice in the Winter 2019 Guide of Whisky Advocate Magazine
READ PRESS
Business Wire: Barrell Craft Spirits Releases First-Ever American Vatted Malt
READ PRESS
Barrell Craft Spirits Wins Double Gold Medals Once Again At The San Francisco World Spirits Competition
READ PRESS
 
 

RECENT INTERVIEWS AND PODCASTS

BCS Founder Joe Beatrice returns to the What We’re Drinking with Dan Dunn podcast for a lively discussion about the ins and outs of producing award-winning whiskey blends.
LISTEN
Check out Film & Whiskey Podcast's recent reviews of Barrell Craft Spirits.
LISTEN
This is My Bourbon Podcast interviews Founder Joe Beatrice, chatting about all things Barrell Craft Spirits.
LISTEN
Hops & Spirits Podcast has Will Schragis of BCS on to talk all things Stellum and to taste Stellum Bourbon, Stellum Rye, and Barrell Seagrass.
LISTEN
This is My Bourbon Podcast interviews Founder Joe Beatrice, chatting about all things Barrell Craft Spirits.
LISTEN
Fred Minnick reviews Barrell Seagrass, saying, “in a word, this is complex.”
WATCH
Bourbon and BS Podcast sip Bourbon Batch 029 in their recent episode, discussing the whiskey and how it pairs with their cigar choice for the week.
WATCH
Steve and Christi interview Joe Beatrice for The Bourbon Daily
LISTEN
My Bourbon Journey reviews Bourbon Batch 025 and gives tasting notes, calling this release, "a solid, very drinkable bourbon."
WATCH
The Bourbon Daily sips Barrell Craft Spirits and Stellum Spirits on the podcast and shares their notes for each release.
WATCH
Pop em Don't Watch em reviews Barrell Seagrass: "Seagrass gets an A+."
WATCH
Mash and Drum reviews Barrell Seagrass, describing it as "unique" and "absolutely fantastic."
WATCH
Dusty Dan's Whiskey Reviews covers Barrell Bourbon Batch 028 and Barrell Seagrass in this recent review.
WATCH
Will Schragis of BCS joins the Bourbon Showdown Podcast to sip some whiskey and talk about the industry.
WATCH
Barrell Rye and Dovetail were included on Dusty Dan’s Whiskey Reviews’ list of the Top 10 Whiskies of 2020. Barrell Rye was described as “one of the best ryes [he] had tried all year,” and the finishing on Dovetail was noted as being “absolutely phenomenal.”
WATCH
The Neat Pour Podcast kicked off the new year by sipping Barrell Bourbon New Year 2021, with Nick from the podcast saying it was "the most approachable cask strength whiskey [he's] had in a while."
LISTEN
BCS National Director Will Schragis sits down with The Cartel Hour podcast to discuss the blending playground and what makes Barrell different.
WATCH
When every release is unique, a blind taste test might prove challenging. Watch Kenny and Ryan of Bourbon Pursuit do a blind taste test of 15 Barrell Craft Spirits products to pick out their favorites and test their palates as Joe Beatrice and Fred Minnick moderate.
WATCH
Tripp Stimson, BCS Director of Distillery Operations and Chief Whiskey Scientist, sits down with the Bourbon and BS Podcast to sample whiskey and talk shop.
LISTEN
What does @eatdrinksmoke think about Barrell Dovetail? Take a listen!
LISTEN
Barrell Craft Spirits National Director Will Schragis joins Urban Bourbonist to talk about "candy, seasons, gameshows, hot dogs... and oh yeah, some pretty awesome finished whiskeys."
WATCH
Dan Dunn catches up with Barrell Craft Spirits founder Joe Beatrice on the most recent episode of What We're Drinking with Dan Dunn. The pair discusses how the business has changed since the onset of the pandemic, the background of the company, and the process of blending, from hypothetical combinations to execution.
LISTEN
Whiskey writer Lew Bryson and whiskey historian Sam Kolmenic taste nine Barrell whiskeys in their Whiskey Master Class Tastings Episode 3.
WATCH
Want to learn more about Barrell Craft Spirits? Check out This is My Bourbon Podcast when Tripp Stimson visits.
LISTEN
It's Bourbon Night reviews five Barrell Whiskey Private Release finishes, including the Tokahi finish, Calvados finish Sicilian Amaro finish, Malmsey Madeira finish, and the Ruby Port finish.
WATCH
Barrell Craft Spirits Chief Whiskey Scientist Tripp Stimson joins Bourbon Pursuit podcast in the studio to dive into the nitty gritty science of distillation, from pH levels to yeast strains.
WATCH
Fred Minnick sits down with BCS founder Joe Beatrice to talk about how the spirits business has changed since COVID-19, and what operations will look like in the coming months.
WATCH
Interested in learning more about Barrell Craft Spirits? Check out founder Joe Beatrice's interview with Steve and Christi of The Bourbon Daily on the ABV Network, where they cover our history, blending process, and more:
LISTEN
Hosts Matt and Mark of The Bourbon Life Podcast talk with Tripp Stimson, Master Distiller of Barrell Craft Spirits about Tripp's past experience in the Bourbon industry, what's coming up for BCS, and spends time tasting and reviewing Barrell Bourbon Batches 020, 021, and 022.
LISTEN
Tripp Stimson of Barrell Craft Spirits joins the Whiskey Crusaders to talk Barrell Bourbons, Ryes, and Whiskeys.
WATCH
Nic Christiansen, BCS Single Barrel Program Manager, joins Mandy and Adam of Kentucky Bourbon Trail, where she mixed up a fun citrus cocktail, using Barrell Dovetail in honor of Cinco de Mayo.
WATCH
Dads Drinking Bourbon catch up in the studio while sipping some Barrell Bourbon Batch 020, Bourbon Batch 021, and American Vatted Malt.
LISTEN
Sips, Suds, & Smokes reviews Bourbon Batch 017, Bourbon Batch 018, Bourbon Batch 019, Dovetail, and Infinite Barrel Project.
LISTEN
BCS National Director Will Schragis speaks with WhiskyBuzz about the latest offerings from Barrell, including rye, bourbon, and other spirits.
LISTEN
Barrell Craft Spirits founder Joe Beatrice joins the Shift Drink Podcast to talk about his story, various rum releases, and the importance of being meticulous in the business.
LISTEN