137: Smashing Barrels with Broken Barrel Whiskey Company

Jake heads down to Owensboro Kentucky to smash some barrels with the crew from Broken Barrel Whiskey Co. He sits down with Founder Seth Benhaim to discuss the brand’s re-introduction to the market, donning new packaging and seeing great growth since we last visited with Seth.  Check out Episode 49 (link below) for our first episode with Seth way back in December 2019. They spend the episode tasting through the core lineup of Broken Barrel Whiskies, which is sure to include something for everyone.  

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Cheers,
Scott, Jake, & Michael
Bourbon Lens

Show Links:

• Bourbon Lens & Broken Barrel - Episode 49 from December 2019
• Broken Barrel Whiskey on Instagram
• Broken Barrel - Official Website

The Whiskey Lineup:

SMALL BATCH BOURBON - 95 Proof

Our flagship Small Batch Bourbon is finished with our signature Oak Bill. What is an Oak Bill? Unlike traditional methods of simply barrel aging and bottling a whiskey, our process entails additional steps to create layered, complex flavors not commonly found in your everyday bourbon. By smashing used barrels and combining the staves from Ex-Bourbon, Sherry, and French oak barrels in a specific ratio, we have built an award-winning bourbon that defies expectations and delivers delicious flavor and harmonious balance.​

COLOR
Dark honey
AROMA
Oak forward, sherry, and marzipan
TASTE
Woody, walnut, with charred brown sugar
FINISH
Peppery fiery finish, with notes of  orange blossom and close.
OAK BILL
40% Ex-Bourbon Cask, 40% / Medium Charred French / 20% Sherry Cask
MASH BILL
70% Corn / 21% Rye / 9% Malted Barley

CALIFORNIA OAK - 88 Proof

Our founder, born and raised in California, is both wildly passionate about both wine and whiskey. His love for excellent bourbon coupled with his access to fresh Central Coast cabernet sauvignon casks combined for a truly exceptional whiskey. We are proud to present our California Oak Straight Kentucky Bourbon, which earned a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition right out of the gate in 2020. This bourbon beautifully represents its dual citizenship by showcasing the superiority of Kentucky distilled and aged bourbon, as well as the rich nuanced complexities of California's Central Coast cabernet. 

COLOR:
Red-Amber
AROMA:
Mild oak/woody aroma, subtle fruit layered over a deeper dark cherry note and hints of baking spices.
TASTE:
Caramel body and balanced sugars, dates, persimmons and cranberry essence.
FINISH:
Peppery with cabernet tannins, fruity body and sweetened honeycomb-like finish.
OAK BILL™:
80% Central Coast Cabernet Cask Staves / 20% French Oak Staves
MASH BILL:
70% Corn / 21% Rye / 9% Malted Barley

CASK STRENGTH BOURBON - 115 Proof 

Broken Barrel Cask Strength bourbon is unapologetically bold, offering a stronger-than-most in class value. There are fewer Kentucky Bourbon’s offering 115 Proof quite like this, and even fewer that finish with Sherry or French Oak to deliver complexity and depth. Enjoyable neat, over ice or in a high-proof cocktail, this bourbon can go where many others cannot. There Is a unique profile within the Broken Barrel range, but none can compete with the power of the cask strength offering. There is a surprisingly smooth finish and flavor to this powerhouse whiskey that's unexpected given the proof. 

COLOR
Dark Copper
AROMA
Herbal, vanilla, Crème Brûlée, kettle corn
TASTE
Hazelnut, candy corn, warm spice, banana bread, vanilla
FINISH
Fresh blackberry, caramel, hint of orange, corn and cinnamon spice.
OAK BILL
40% Ex-Bourbon Cask, 40% / Medium Charred French / 20% Oloroso Sherry
MASH BILL
70% Corn / 21% Rye / 9% Malted Barley

HERESY RYE - 105 Proof

Like our other whiskeys, our Rye is distilled grain-to-glass in Owensboro, Kentucky. Our Heresy Rye whiskey is unlike any rye you’ve had. Charred French oak give lend oak-forward to the spirit, while freshly dumped ex-bourbon barrel and sherry cask staves all join forces to create a balanced and smooth taste and finish to this fiery rye. Just like our Broken Barrel, we proudly infuse this whiskey our way, and we’re not sorry. Call it sacrilegious, call it untraditional, call it heresy - we won’t be offended. Trust us, once you taste our whiskey you may begin to question the tradition yourself.

​COLOR
Deep Amber Brown
AROMA
Cedar, plum, pumpernickel bread
TASTE
Sweet vanilla, bread yeast, charred oak and brown sugar
FINISH
Spicy rye finish, with a buttery mouthfeel and caramel sweetness
MASH BILL
95% Rye; 5% Malted Barley
OAK BILL
40% Ex-Bourbon Cask / 40% New French / 20% Oloroso Sherry