The New England Barrel Company was founded by James Saunders (a college friend of our very own @bdubs1313!) in 2015 and is based in Dover, NH. The company specializes in handcrafted barrels for the bourbon and whiskey industry, using traditional techniques and materials to create high-quality, authentic products.
James cut hit proverbial teeth in the space by helping local stores with their barrel programs. He developed quite a palate and a reputation in bourbon circles for his ability to select "winners." Not long after he decided to ditch his IT sales job and pursue his passion - whiskey.
The company sources American white oak from the forests of Missouri, Arkansas, and other states, selecting only the finest wood for their barrels. Each barrel is carefully crafted by skilled coopers who use a combination of hand tools and modern machinery to ensure precision and consistency.
In addition to standard bourbon and whiskey barrels, the New England Barrel Company also produces a variety of custom barrels with unique sizes and finishes. These specialty barrels are often used for experimental aging and small-batch productions.
One of the benefits of James having worked with retail shops in the past is his understanding and appreciation for small spirits shops. He tries not to flood a market with his single barrels allowing his trusted retail partners ample opportunity to serve their customers and respective local markets. For that reason, you don't see a lot of single barrels from them, but the ones you do are special.
What you can expect from this release:
- Nose: cornbread, raisin toast, granola, and hints of honey and apricot
- Palate: Very dense and velvety, graham cracker, cereal grain, hints of tobacco, not overly sweet on the palate
- Finish: medium to long, with sweetness and hints of honey reappearing.
The whiskey selection by the hosts RobbieTheWagner and Charles William Carpenter III, along with ThePrimeagen, is a journey through the intricacies of web development, mirrored in the complex flavors of a meticulously chosen whiskey. Expect a spirit that balances bold, innovative notes, much like cutting-edge JavaScript frameworks, with traditional HTML and CSS's timeless, refined undertones. This selection embodies the essence of craftsmanship and the shared joy of discovery in coding and casual hobbies, encapsulated in a bottle that invites sipping as you traverse the vast landscape of web technologies and human experiences shared in the Whiskey Web and Whatnot podcast episodes.