Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Tale Of Two Islands
Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Tale Of Two Islands is a cask-strength 118.22-proof (59.11% ABV) 750mL blend of straight bourbons — Indiana bourbons of 5, 6, and 9 years and Maryland bourbons of 5 and 6 years (a minority of retailers cite a 16-year Maryland component; print the 5-to-9-year range) — finished in casks that previously held Jamaican pot-still rum that had itself been finished in peated Islay single-malt Scotch barrels. Sourced, blended, finished, and bottled by Barrell Craft Spirits in Louisville, Kentucky, from a 73% corn / 23% rye / 4% malted barley derived mash bill, it is non-chill filtered. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 59.11% (118.22 proof) — cask strength
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 5 to 9 years across components (Indiana + Maryland straight bourbons)
- Finish: casks from Barrell's own Jamaican rum, finished in peated Islay Scotch barrels
- Mash bill: 73% corn / 23% rye / 4% malted barley (derived)
- Origin: blended, finished, and bottled in Louisville, Kentucky by Barrell Craft Spirits
Two Islands, One Barrel
The name is literal. Barrell's 2018 "Tale of Two Islands" was an 8-year-old Jamaican pot-still rum finished in ex-Islay peated casks — and this bourbon went into those casks next, stacking Jamaican funk and Islay peat smoke on top of high-proof American whiskey. It is a finish with a backstory, and it shows in the glass: torched marshmallow and flambéed banana, then dark chocolate, espresso, and a waxy, tarry Islay note that no ordinary bourbon can fake. Explore the Barrell Craft Spirits collection and the bourbon whiskeys at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Rich mahogany. The nose brings torched marshmallow, flambéed banana, grilled peach, sage, apricot, and coconut macaron. The palate is dense — dark chocolate, espresso, tarry Islay peat, candied lemon peel, nectarine, plum sauce. The finish is long and oily: clarified butter, brisket, burnt caramel, blackberry, peppercorn.
How to Enjoy
Neat, with water added slowly — 118 proof wants dilution to open up. A bold pour for experienced palates; keep it away from delicate cocktails and let the finish do the talking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which two islands?
Jamaica (the rum) and Islay, Scotland (the peated Scotch casks) — the finishing casks carry both influences into the bourbon.
Is it finished in rum casks, Islay casks, or both?
Effectively both: casks that held Jamaican rum which had itself been finished in peated Islay barrels.
What proof is Barrell Tale of Two Islands?
118.22 proof (59.11% ABV), bottled at cask strength, non-chill filtered.
A finish with a story — buy Barrell Tale of Two Islands online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.