To cap off 2023, Broken Barrel Whiskey Co Honey Smoke Reserva opens a new chapter in the barrel finishing world. While many people savored the Honey Smoke Rye release, this particular offering adds more nuance and complexity. The combination of finishing barrels is unlike other offerings in the genre.
Whiskey drinkers can be both a difficult crowd to appease and one that cheers when a brand takes a risk. While people might appreciate that spunk, the concept needs to have a purpose. Blending, aging, and other techniques just thrown together without a reason can be as muddled as a poorly made smashed cocktail.
Creativity can move the conversation forward as long as it is rooted in craft. No one can fault experimentation, but the end result needs to evolve the spirit in a way that excites.
At Broken Barrel Whiskey Co, the brand appreciates that it unlike other offerings in the market. Focusing on the whiskey finishing, it appreciates that particular barrels have a significant impact on that liquor. By using different type of barrels throughout the process, each event adds more character to the final product. From a few moments that are subtle to other notes that dominate, there is some playfulness that allows Broken Barrel Whiskey Co to set itself apart from others in the category.
For the recently released Broken Barrel Whiskey Co Honey, the product uses two different barrel staves to impart both a sweetness and an earthy, woody note. Speaking to this offering, Seth Benhaim, Founder of Broken Barrel Whiskey Co. shared, “The older whiskey, higher proof, and longer finishing time for this year’s release promises to make it one of the most distinctive tasting spirits ever produced. We’re also making whiskey history as the first to finish this whiskey using a combination of honey and sotol barrel staves.”
While some people will buy a bottle just because its first to offer this type of finishing, drinkers should add this item to their collection for the drinking experience. Although there are Texas influenced releases that impart mesquite smoke, this offering does not have that inherent bitterness that is often experienced with a smoky quality.
The honeycomb sweetness with a touch of vanilla adds to the approachability. It starts as an invitation to sip. As the flavor evolves, the warm spices and alluring smoke appear. Whether drunk as the last libation of the evening or as the sip to kick off a momentous event, the first pour makes an impression and invites the drinker to come back for more.
The Broken Barrel Whiskey Co Honey Smoke Reserva is available in selection locations and has a limited release. The suggested retail price is $79.99.