The Broken Barrel finishing concept uses a combination of multiple unique broken barrel staves, versus intact barrels, sourced from all over the world, to finish their whiskey. The combination of these broken barrel staves is known as their ‘oak bill’, which is used to age their mash bill, distilled and sourced from Owensboro Distilling in Owensboro, Kentucky.
This Americana expression is a blend of four year old corn whiskey, distilled in Indiana, with Broken Barrel’s signature two year old sourced Kentucky bourbon. Americana’s 80% corn, 14% rye, and 6% malted barley mash bill is finished in an oak bill of 40% charred American oak, 40% toasted American oak, and 20% American apple brandy casks. “Previously, we offered a selection of Rare American offerings as part of our single barrel program for private groups and retailers,” said Seth Benhaim, Founder and CEO, Broken Barrel Whiskey Co. “The new American 100 proof whisky was inspired by those bottlings, but is a much more accessible offering for Broken Barrel fans to enjoy regularly.”
Broken Barrel Americana
Class: Straight American Whiskey
Price: $35
Notes:
Age: 4 years
Mash Bill: 80% Corn, 14% Rye, 6% Malted Barley
Finished With Broken Barrel Staves
Oak Bill: 40% Charred American Oak, 40% Toasted American Oak, 20% American Apple Brandy Casks
Distilled in Indiana and Owensboro Kentucky
Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
Nose: 85/100
Creamy and oaky vanilla over light hints of orchard fruits
Palate: 92/100
Very thick viscosity that remains thick as it glides over the tongue and coats the palate. Nice maple syrup, apricot, dark chocolate and caramel notes. This is a very chewy whiskey!
Finish: 90/100
Nice brief explosion of well balanced spice, nice chalkiness, and beautiful dark orchard fruits are revealed and linger at the very end.
Overall: 89/100
This is a very well balanced, flavorful, and viscous whiskey that has an incredible amount of Kentucky chew to it.
Recommendation: Definitely worth buying a bottle. At only $35, with that amount of thick Kentucky chew and flavor, definitely grab a bottle!
What did we learn?
Americana is a very special Broken Barrel expression. At only four years old, the amount of thick and viscous Kentucky chew on the whiskey is incredible. The dark chocolate, maple syrup, caramel, and dark orchard fruits make for a very complex but well balanced dram. If you enjoy chewing your American whiskey, this is the budget bottle for you!
Broken Barrel products are sold online at www.brokenbarrelwhiskey.com, Caskers, Flaviar, Reserve Bar and Wine.com, and in select retail locations within 33 U.S. states and Canada. The Broken Barrel Stave House & Bottle Shop, located at 2332 East 8th Street in downtown Los Angeles, is open Monday through Friday from 12-5pm, with a three bottle limit, per person, per day.
“We Are Risk Takers And Barrel Breakers” ~ Broken Barrel Team
Cheers!
