Barrel King - Batch 12 (Cara-Coconut Apple)
Overall Score: 7/10
Overall Value: 2.5/5
Distillery: Kings County Distillery
Classification: Straight Rye (Finished)
Company: Kings County Distillery
Release Date: Fall 2023
Proof: 111.1
Age: NAS
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Copper
MSRP: $110 (2024)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of the Barrel King Batch 12 opens with a sweet nose featuring French toast, honey, and a delightful toasted coconut. Initially, fresh-cut red apples and bright red fruits also come through, but the apple note fades after a few sips. There’s a caramel toffee, along with dark woodiness, dipping into a cedar profile and rich custard.
The mouthfeel is light yet pleasantly oily, coating the palate well. The sweetness from the nose softens, offering flavors of oak and red apple that dominate the taste. There’s a slight proof bite that makes its presence known, leaning into a bit of alcohol burn, but it doesn’t completely overshadow the experience. A hint of coconut lingers in the background, though the caramel and toasted marshmallow flavors from the nose don’t fully carry through to the palate.
The finish is where the toasted marshmallow and caramel sweetness finally re-emerge, though they’re more muted than anticipated. The 111 proof brings some burn and a numbing sensation, but those who enjoy coconut notes may find subtle pleasure here. The finish isn’t particularly long, and the red apple remains the most consistent flavor throughout.
Barrel King Batch 12 brings some creative and interesting single-barrel flavors, but it doesn’t fully justify its MSRP, which exceeds $100. While the nose promises an exciting mix of flavors, the palate and finish fall a bit short, with the high proof overpowering some of the subtleties.
It’s good, but for the price, I’d expect more complexity and balance. If you find it on sale, it might be worth a try, especially for those who enjoy red apple and coconut notes.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 7/10
Value: 2/5
THE NOSE:
The nose is sweet with notes of fresh-cut red apples and bright red fruits. There is also a dark woodiness that dips into that cedar profile and rich custard.
Very similar to the rye profile that I really like.
I do get a very subtle hint of coconut that moves in and out of different nosings.
THE TASTE:
It has a very light but still quite oily mouth-feel which is very pleasant.
The sweetness dies down a bit, but it doesn’t dip into the dry category.
It’s mostly oak and red apple on the palette for me. I do get a bit of an alcohol flavor along with a proof bite that I think could be a bit more rounded out.
THE FINISH:
The finish doesn't last particularly long but there is some burn and numbing of the mouth that occurs.
However, this is where I do get a bit of the coconut flavor.
Those who appreciate a coconut profile, and those more accustomed to sipping whiskey may find a subtle pleasure on the finish.
BUY OR PASS?
The red apple flavor is consistent throughout the experience.
I wish more of the coconut/caramel would shine through, and that the whiskey was a bit more well-rounded.
The Hunter Says
Score: 7/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
I’m getting French toast and honey, with a lovely toasted coconut that stands out.
At first, I picked up a lot of apple, but after a few sips, it became harder to find.
There’s also caramel toffee in there, and a toasted profile really shines through on the nose, which I love.
THE TASTE:
It feels sweet in the mouth, like syrup but not too thick.
It’s got a nice, full-bodied feel.
Interestingly, most of the sweetness isn’t in the taste—it waits until the finish to really show up.
THE FINISH:
This is where the flavors from the nose finally come back, though they’re pretty muted.
I’m getting caramel and toasted marshmallow, but the apple is gone.
The 111 proof definitely makes itself known and unfortunately overpowers the other flavors a bit.
BUY OR PASS?
Barrel King makes some creative and interesting single barrels, which I really appreciate. But with an MSRP over $100, I’m not sure this one quite justifies the price.
It’s good, but for that money, I expect a little more.
