Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Tale of 2 Islands / Limited Release

Tariq Hassan — Solid sipper, steep price

7/10

Good bourbon with an interesting twist from the island cask finishing. You get salted toffee on the nose and some smoky dried fruit on the palate. I just struggle to justify north of £90 when there are excellent standard Barrell batches for less. Worth trying at a bar first.

Priya Sharma — Solid sipper, steep price

7/10

Good bourbon with an interesting twist from the island cask finishing. You get salted toffee on the nose and some smoky dried fruit on the palate. I just struggle to justify north of £90 when there are excellent standard Barrell batches for less. Worth trying at a bar first.

Daniel Torres — Solid sipper, steep price

7/10

Good bourbon with an interesting twist from the island cask finishing. You get salted toffee on the nose and some smoky dried fruit on the palate. I just struggle to justify north of £90 when there are excellent standard Barrell batches for less. Worth trying at a bar first.

Oscar Delgado — Tropical heat in a glass

8/10

This one caught me off guard. The dual island influence brings this unexpected mix of peat smoke and tropical fruit that somehow works at 59.1%. I usually add a few drops of water to anything north of 55% but honestly this drinks easier than the proof suggests.

Zoe Chen — Tropical heat in a glass

8/10

This one caught me off guard. The dual island influence brings this unexpected mix of peat smoke and tropical fruit that somehow works at 59.1%. I usually add a few drops of water to anything north of 55% but honestly this drinks easier than the proof suggests.

Marco Andretti — Tropical heat in a glass

8/10

This one caught me off guard. The dual island influence brings this unexpected mix of peat smoke and tropical fruit that somehow works at 59.1%. I usually add a few drops of water to anything north of 55% but honestly this drinks easier than the proof suggests.

Jorge Castillo — One of Barrell's best experiments

9/10

I've tried most of the Cask Finish series and Tale of 2 Islands might be my favourite. The maritime character layered over that classic Barrell bourbon sweetness is fantastic. Poured this neat for a few friends and the bottle was half gone before I knew it.

Freya Lindqvist — One of Barrell's best experiments

9/10

I've tried most of the Cask Finish series and Tale of 2 Islands might be my favourite. The maritime character layered over that classic Barrell bourbon sweetness is fantastic. Poured this neat for a few friends and the bottle was half gone before I knew it.

Mei-Lin Wu — One of Barrell's best experiments

9/10

I've tried most of the Cask Finish series and Tale of 2 Islands might be my favourite. The maritime character layered over that classic Barrell bourbon sweetness is fantastic. Poured this neat for a few friends and the bottle was half gone before I knew it.

Isla McCallister — Not my thing but I get the appeal

6/10

I picked this up expecting a straightforward bourbon and the island cask influence threw me. The peaty, maritime notes clash a bit with the corn sweetness for my palate. Well made for sure, just not what I reach for on a weeknight. My buddy who loves Scotch-bourbon hybrids absolutely loved it though.

Clara Johansson — Not my thing but I get the appeal

6/10

I picked this up expecting a straightforward bourbon and the island cask influence threw me. The peaty, maritime notes clash a bit with the corn sweetness for my palate. Well made for sure, just not what I reach for on a weeknight. My buddy who loves Scotch-bourbon hybrids absolutely loved it though.

Natasha Volkov — Not my thing but I get the appeal

6/10

I picked this up expecting a straightforward bourbon and the island cask influence threw me. The peaty, maritime notes clash a bit with the corn sweetness for my palate. Well made for sure, just not what I reach for on a weeknight. My buddy who loves Scotch-bourbon hybrids absolutely loved it though.

Yasmine Najjar — Big proof, bigger flavour

8/10

59.1% and it barely bites — that's impressive barrel selection right there. I get charred oak, dark chocolate, and this briny seaweed note that keeps it from being a one-note sweetness bomb. Added a single ice cube and it really opened up. Would buy again.

Camila Ortiz — Big proof, bigger flavour

8/10

59.1% and it barely bites — that's impressive barrel selection right there. I get charred oak, dark chocolate, and this briny seaweed note that keeps it from being a one-note sweetness bomb. Added a single ice cube and it really opened up. Would buy again.

Priscilla Nunes — Big proof, bigger flavour

8/10

59.1% and it barely bites — that's impressive barrel selection right there. I get charred oak, dark chocolate, and this briny seaweed note that keeps it from being a one-note sweetness bomb. Added a single ice cube and it really opened up. Would buy again.

Suki Patel — Interesting but not quite there

7/10

The concept is cool — blending two different island cask finishes into a bourbon. Nose is all brine and dried mango, palate has a nice caramel backbone. At £93 though, I expected a bit more complexity on the finish. It fades quicker than I'd like.

Olivia Park — Interesting but not quite there

7/10

The concept is cool — blending two different island cask finishes into a bourbon. Nose is all brine and dried mango, palate has a nice caramel backbone. At £93 though, I expected a bit more complexity on the finish. It fades quicker than I'd like.

Aria Kim — Interesting but not quite there

7/10

The concept is cool — blending two different island cask finishes into a bourbon. Nose is all brine and dried mango, palate has a nice caramel backbone. At £93 though, I expected a bit more complexity on the finish. It fades quicker than I'd like.