We had an incredible run of barrels from Nashville last year, and when I heard new stock was rolling into their selection program this spring, I made a quick trip down to get an early taste for you.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again - NBC continues to put out some of the best products of any NDP we feature here at Seelbach’s. The first few picks from this trip flew off the site, and while Nashtucky restocks usually do the same, we’re especially excited about this new flight: a 5-year and a 9-year bourbon, plus a 6-year 100% rye - all sporting Nashtucky’s newest branding.
I was pumped to be offered a few younger barrels this time, which means lower prices for you. But don’t mistake younger for lacking character - the 5-year bourbon is a glass of boozy cream soda, sweet and lively and a fantastic value. The 9-year is one of the most unique bottles I've picked all year. It drinks like a cross between Russell’s Reserve and Jimmy Red - rich, layered, but deep with fruit and creaminess. And while I try not to pick favorites, the 6-year rye might be my most fun rye pick I've done this year. At 131 proof, it's shockingly smooth—candied, fruity, and reminds me of a Rare Character TKO rye.
I hope you enjoy these releases as much as I enjoyed picking them.
Nashville Barrel Co Nashtucky #5123 5-Year Bourbon 122.46 proof
The nose starts effervescent, leading with buttery brown sugar and big cherry sweetness. Rich and creamy vanilla, nougat, lemon, and warm fresh oak.
The palate is straight up boozy A&W Sparkling Vanilla Cream Soda. Creamy, great candied (almost perfumed) rye spice, with plenty of lingering caramel sweetness.
The finish expands more from the palate, with orange zest, honey buns, and dried cherry continuing with sweet oak.
Nashville Barrel Co Nashtucky #10015 6-Year Rye 131.56 proof
Perfumed, elegant, light oak spice, brown sugar, and cream - this one noses like a pack of Bazooka gum.
There’s no way you’d know it was a 100% rye from the sweetness - and it drinks way under its 131 proof. A fun and lively candy sweetness greets the front of the palate, almost like raspberry, watermelon, lime, and tangerine candies combined. Still, theres a creamy, sweet oak backbone to it all.
The finish is plush and trailing, lingering with all the vibrant, juicy fruit notes found on the palate with vanilla bean, caramel, cracked pepper, and lingers like you just finished a mint julep.
Nashville Barrel Co Nashtucky #20010 9-Year Bourbon 111.54 proof
The nose on this is plush and inviting, dense and powerful, sweet - but not too much. Sugared plums, fig, off-brand cherry cola, toffee, buttered pastry, and continued with semi-sweet chocolates and caramel. You can tell there’s age to the nose, but it isn’t overly oak forward.
The palate is dark fruit toned and custardy - and carries those semi-sweet chocolate notes into cordial cherries, with a bright spiced citrus note mid palate before a trailing of pecan pralines, date, caramel, and slightly drying oak.
The finish is trailing with vanilla cream, slightly drying with toffee, semi-sweet chocolates, anise, dried cherry, tobacco and oak.
