How is Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026 made?

New Year 2026 is crafted from straight bourbons sourced from Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Wyoming, Maryland, New York, and Ohio—ranging from 5 to 16 years old. It features a mash bill of 74% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley, and 1% wheat, then bottled at cask strength (110.3 proof).

What does Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026 taste like?

New Year 2026 offers a bold yet balanced profile. Expect aromas of stone fruit, maple, and dill, a crisp palate of tart apple and pumpkin bread, and a long finish with baking spice, sunflower seed, and roasted chestnut. Water reveals floral and herbal absinthe-like notes.

What makes Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026 unique?

This release is unique because it blends bourbons from seven different states and age ranges into a single complex expression, all while staying true to cask-strength bottling. It captures both youthful brightness and mature depth in one celebratory pour.

Should you buy Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026?

If you’re a collector or someone who enjoys high-proof, layered whiskey with seasonal character, Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026 is worth trying. Its limited nature, complexity, and critical praise make it a strong addition to any shelf.

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Barrell New Year 2026 Bourbon: Blended to Ring In the Year

Q: What is Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026?

Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026 is a limited-edition cask-strength blend of straight bourbons from multiple states, crafted to celebrate the new year. This annual release is known for its complexity, innovation, and collector appeal.

Whiskey Social : Dec 31, 2025 5:00:00 AM

Bourbon Seasonal

Barrell New Year 2026 Bourbon: Blended to Ring In the Year

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Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026 is a cask-strength blend of straight bourbons from seven states—uniting multiple mash bills and age statements to deliver a bold, complex whiskey perfect for toasting the New Year. This annual release showcases Barrell Craft Spirits’ expert blending and has become a collector favorite.

What is Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026?

Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026 is an annual limited-edition release that celebrates the turning of the calendar with a new, expertly blended cask strength bourbon.

This edition combines straight bourbon whiskeys from Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Wyoming, Maryland, New York, and Ohio. Each component was selected for its unique character, with age statements ranging from 5 to 16 years old. The result is a layered, high-proof bourbon that balances freshness and richness with a deep, spice-forward finish.

Barrell Craft Spirits

Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026

Image Source: Barrell Craft Spirits

Key Details at a Glance: Barrell Bourbon 2026

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Style: Small Batch Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys

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Proof: 110.3

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Age Statement: Blend of 5–16 Year Bourbons

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Price: ~$90–100 MSRP

How is New Year 2026 Bourbon made?

The 2026 New Year release is a small batch blend made with bourbons of different ages, mash bills, and origins, designed to highlight contrast and complexity.

This blend includes:

Indiana Bourbon (5, 6, 8, 11, & 13 years)
Kentucky Bourbon (5, 6, & 10 years)
Tennessee Bourbon (8, 10, & 16 years)
Wyoming Bourbon (9 & 13 years)
Maryland Bourbon (7 & 8 years)
New York and Ohio Bourbons (5 years)

All together, this creates a final derived mash bill of 74% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley, and 1% wheat—bottled at 110.3 proof without chill filtration.

What are the tasting notes for Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026?

Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026 offers a fresh yet mature flavor profile, with fruit, spice, and earthy sweetness.

Neat Tasting Notes

Appearance: Graham cracker
Nose: Ripe stone fruits (white peach, Rainier cherry), sugar snap pea, dill, wintergreen, and maple sap
Palate: Tart apple, Meyer lemon, oatmeal, pumpkin bread, molasses, and clove
Finish: Pumpkin pie, baking spices, sunflower seed, red clover, roasted chestnut

With Water

Spring water brings out floral notes like rose and lilac, with absinthe-like herbal layers of tarragon and fennel seed.

What makes the New Year 2026 unique?

This release is one of the most diverse small batch bourbons Barrell Craft Spirits produces each year.

What sets it apart is not just its multi-state blend or its 110.3 cask strength proof, but the balance Barrell achieves across young, fruit-forward notes and older, oak-driven depth. This whiskey doesn’t lean too heavily in one direction—it brings many voices to the table and lets them all speak.

What do whiskey experts say about New Year 2026?

Whiskey media outlets have already praised this year’s release for its complexity, seasonal flavor, and collectibility.

Robb Report: “Don’t wait to try this until the ball drops.”
Inside Hook: “A complex and layered expression… notes of graham cracker, vanilla, red berries, nutmeg.”
Forbes: “Save yourself a pour for December 31 when the clock strikes midnight.”

Should you buy it?

If you’re a fan of bold, cask-strength American bourbon or appreciate thoughtful blending, this bottle belongs in your rotation.

Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026 is perfect for New Year’s Eve, but it’s also an excellent pour to revisit year-round. At around $90–100 retail, it’s a worthwhile addition for those who love discovering what’s possible through blending.

Looking for more whiskey releases?

From limited-edition releases to everyday standouts, our Whiskey Wednesday series brings you a new whiskey to explore each week. Always worth a spot on your shelf!

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