We got a sample of this actually sent to us, albeit on the coat tails of something called ‘Hot Dickel’ which was a whiskey aged in Tabasco barrels. However as we told the company that reached out to us – that was a bridge too far for us, and since they sent it any way we’ll merely remark that whatever you are thinking George Dickel aged in hot sauce barrels tastes like – it’s not that, and much more mediocre.
What of this barrel select then? Well if your hope was this was as nice as their rye is in a certain cocktail – too bad. This may be a selected barrel from their standard fare, but you have to ask why the fuck did they choose this one? We’re George Dickel fans, and we’re here to say – nada.
What they Say: “Our very finest whisky, for the truly discerning whisky drinker. Only 10 barrels are hand-selected by our Distiller for this small-batch handcrafted whisky. Aged between 10 and 12 years.
Charcoal mellowing and our unique aging process form a smooth, premium whisky that stands in a class all by itself. A perfectly balanced, rich and silky taste with hints of vanilla, spice, and charcoal.”
Taste: 5.5 – It’s a little sweet, and it’s got some nice flavor here, but nothing to write home about.
Aftertaste: 4.0 – That is some heat and some power, but overall – we’re not fans.
Burn/Smooth: 3.0 – That has some kick and burn to it, and is most definitely not smooth.
Aroma: 4.0 – Damn that smells 90 proof. It doesn’t smell like a ‘hot’ whiskey so much. It lacks that very distinctive drink me I’m nice.
Honesty: 4.0 – Maybe it’s just because we got a bad barrel, but ugh that text just reads worse and worse as the burn of this tingles the lips. Perfectly balanced? Yeah sure if you think Thanos is the hero maybe.
Mixability: 5.0
W/ Rocks: 4.5 – While that helps to pave over some of the rough and tumble bits, it is like paving a dirt road without setting a grade.
Old Fashioned: 5.5 – We went with an old-fashioned here because their Rye is our goto ask in bars for this drink. Here it’s actually not bad, it’s not the rye, but it’s not bad.
Value: 3.0 – Nope. Sorry folks. We run a successful site and only got a 100mL bottle of this and even free we have to ask whether it was worth it (as we now have to contend with a full bottle of the Hot Dickel).
Google Shop Average: $41
Website: https://www.georgedickel.com/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 3.5
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Metric Score: 28.5/70 |+| Metric Average: 4.07 |+| Reviewer Average: 3.5
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Final Thoughts: As always we are grateful when companies actually follow through in sending us something but don’t think for a minute that impacts our reviewing scores. We’ll keep doing this long after every company has realized that a 4/10 isn’t a score they want to be associated with, but for you dear reader know that the George Dickel Barrel Select is overall – subpar.
