Barrell Craft Spirits Celebrates 10 Years with ‘Foundation’: The Whiskey That’s Rewriting the Rules
Barrell Craft Spirits Marks a Decade with ‘Foundation,’ a Game Changer in Whiskey
After a solid 10-year run, Barrell Craft Spirits in Louisville is pivoting. This month, they unveiled Foundation, the first whiskey in their lineup that doesn’t pack a cask-strength punch.
For Joe Beatrice, the founder, this isn’t a sell-out move. Above all, they’re master blenders committed to releasing top-shelf stuff, proof aside. “The decision was a no-brainer,” said Beatrice. “Quality is important to us all, and this doesn’t skimp on quality.”
Foundation brings an age statement of five years but blends in older spirits for complexity. The mix? Eight-year Kentucky Bourbon; Bourbons aged five, six, and nine from Indiana; eight-year Tennessee; and five- and six-year Maryland.
The resulting mashbill? 73% corn, 23% rye, and 4% malted barley. Bottled at 50% ABV and retailing at US$60, it offers a smoother, less costly introduction to the brand. Traditional Barrell bottles usually kick off at around US$90 with higher ABVs.
“This price point will demystify our brand for many,” Beatrice noted. “We designed it to outperform the majority of 100-proof choices..”
Don’t expect Foundation to be as intricate as Barrell’s flagship Bourbons. But its lower ABV makes it a cocktail-friendly choice. “This is an everyday whiskey, widely accessible yet distinct,” Beatrice added.
This announcement follows hot on the heels of Barrell’s new 31,000-square-foot blending facility in Jeffersontown, Kentucky. “It’s tailored to our past and future needs and boosts our blending capacity by over 500%,” he revealed.
Foundation hits select U.S. shelves this January. Early signs point to it becoming a staple in their offering.
