For over 250 years Berentzen has been making distilled spirits and specifically apple and other fruit liqueurs. Â Bushel and Barrel is the marriage of their long experience making apple liqueur with the years of tradition and flavor of Kentucky Bourbon. Â The result is a apple bourbon liqueur clocking in at 30% ABV.
The color is a light honey/amber.  The nose is where it really starts to come alive, though.  The aroma is primarily crisp apple with the subtle notes of bourbon – caramel, vanilla and spice – rounding out the profile.  The flavor follows what the aroma started and with less sweetness than I expected.  This liqueur is truly not cloying like so many are.  The whiskey adds back notes but the apple is really the star here.  I have to add that the apple flavor in Bushel and Barrel is more natural than I’ve found with other apple liqueurs.  I think it would make a really interesting, slightly more “grown up”, Apple Martini.  For me, Bushel and Barrel is best when mixed 1:1 with a nice high-rye bourbon or straight rye.  Something with some spice to play off the sweet apple flavors.  I’ve been adding a dash of bitters and making a Bushel and Barrel Old Fashioned that is very tasty and perfect for the fall.
Berentzen Bushel and Barrel Old Fashioned
1 oz Bourbon or Rye Whiskey 1 oz Berentzen Bushel and Barrel 1-2 Dashes Old Fashioned Bitters
1) Combine over ice 2) Garnish with a fresh or dried apple slice 3) Drink 4) Repeat
†The product reviewed here was provided to me as a free sample. If you’re wondering what that means check out my sample policy.