BARLEYCORN SPEAKS! Introducing The Barleycorn Awards Fall 2021 Medalists

Parker's Heritage Collection 11-Year-Old Heavy Char Wheat Whiskey

“Vibrant aromas of dry fruit, and strawberries leads to a delicate and silky, fruitcake palate, capped with a rich and long finish with cinnamon, berries and balanced viscosity. Outstanding!"

Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition

“Love the deep chocolate notes throughout, a cacao dream.”

Woodinville Cask Strength Straight 100% Rye Whiskey

“Loving the warm-rye-toast-drizzled-with-honey nose here, and oh lordy, the palate does not disappoint. Jammy fruit and big, bold spice without the alcoholic heat one might expect from this high-octane beast.”

Corsair Triple Smoke

“This is pretty excellent, with a lovely chestnuts-roasting-on-an-open-fire flavor, some nice, sweet malt up front, a little bit of fruit, all in such beautiful harmony I hear Boyz II Men when I drink it.”

Aberlour A'bunadh

“A nice fruity, musty nose that evokes Grandma's kitchen if she was baking a peach tart. It's quite gentle for such a high-proof behemoth, and quite fully realized. Lovely on the tongue and finishes dry with inky tannins.”

Limavady

“A soft and fruit forward malt with long, lush, syrupy tendrils of vanilla coating creamily on every sip. This is malt silk, pure and simple, elegant and smooth on the palate.”

Takamine 8 Year Old Koji Whiskey

"Yes. Just yes. Excited to find out what this one is. A distinctive whiskey with gorgeous structure—flavors of vanilla, black cherry, and melon are sharp and pleasant, before a subtle, dry finish.”

Peated Mac na Braiche

“An initial smoky, fruity punch wakes up the palate, making way for a malt character on the palate with a lot of bready sweetness. It's an impressively complex malt.”

Amrut Indian Single Malt Whisky

“Elegant, grain, honey, slight savory and saline (hint peat?), on the palate it is elegant, but also austere and a bit hot and phenolic. Finishes quite clean. Well balanced and lush."

Midnight Moon Apple Pie Moonshine

“Cinnamon apple nose and a palate with all the pieces of a classic apple pie: apple, sugar, brown sugar, crumble—even caramelized crust on the finish. Nice!”

Inspiro Luna Blanco Tequila

“Clean nose of fresh agave and slight fennel seed. Round palate that finishes clean. Margarita time, people.”

Mezcal Amarás Cupreata

“Like a nice fruity soda with a kick of citrus peel. Not overly sweet, the mellow punch flavor is refreshing.”

Affinity Gin

“Unique and distinctive. A good example of contemporary gin, with lots of terroir; juniper, lemon peel, fennel, and licorice. It's got beautiful botanicals and finishes quite clean with a long, long finish.”

Goodnight Loving Vodka

“A corn pudding nose leads to a clean palate with flecks of citrus and corn with a nice mouthfeel; Overall this vodka is pleasing, round, and supple.”

Hope Town Lime

“This is what you want in a vodka! Clear appearance and a nice minerality on the nose leads to a silky and clean vodka that remains elegant from start to finish, which is fresh with a touch of fruit.”

Ron Abuelo Two Oaks Rum

“Very mature and nicely aged aroma; rich with caramel and butterscotch and a touch of char and dried apricot. Great finish with a tingly edge to it. I would happily drink this all night.”

Branson Cognac XO

“Glorious! Lovely complexity with fruit and nuts. Just the right amount of light tannins. Silky mouthfeel. Where’s my smoking jacket? Bravo.”

Vicario Monk's Secret Liqueur

“Complex aroma and taste profile with long finish. Cocoa, coffee and mint to spare.”

Badger Claw Citrus Punch

“Like a nice fruity soda with a kick of citrus peel. Not overly sweet, the mellow punch flavor is refreshing.”