Intro:
A blend of whiskey finished in rum, port and cabernet barrels, this is the Gold Label edition of Barrell”s cult favorite Dovetail whiskey. It’s blended from distilling sources in Indiana, Tennessee and Canada and bottled at a whopping 140+pf. Let’s dive in!
Nose:
Fat butter, toffee and pure creme brulee. Oak is nowhere in sight on the nose, it’s all butterscotch, pound cake, toffee, honey, rich caramel candies and the faintest touch of tropical fruit.
Taste:
Rich on the palate but at the cost of WOW that proof! 140pf is evident. Wild. It’s hot, flavorful but good lord it’s hot. Sweet maple, butterscotch candies, light and bread-y with a touch of papaya and pineapple.
Finish:
Long finish, affectionately savage, but full of flavor. Honey, praline, cream frosting, toffee, butterscotch, agave syrup,
Overall:
Rich and sweet, this feisty pour is deserving of the Gold Label title, but it’s DNA differs deeply from the standard and Grey Label Dovetail – it’s up to the drinker whether this is a feature or a bug. Try at a bar if you can, then throw down the $500 if you’re head over heels for it.
Score:
7
Disclosure: The producer provided this sample to review free of charge, and without expectation of review or rating.