Whiskey Review: Barrell Craft Spirits Dovetail Gold Label

Introduction

We’re back with another premium offering from one of our favorite whiskey producers: Barrell Craft Spirits. Today, we’re diving into Dovetail Gold Label, a luxury-tier expression that builds on the already beloved Dovetail lineup. This one clocks in at an explosive 140.18 proof and blends whiskeys aged up to 25 years, sourced from Indiana, Tennessee, and Canada, and finished in rum, port, and cabernet barrels.

The Gold Label line takes Dovetail’s already complex finishing process and applies it to Barrell’s rarest stocks—making this not just high-proof, but also high-concept. With a price tag of $500, this bottle is very much in the “collector” category. But is it worth the splurge? Let’s break it down.

The following review is taken from our episode "Jojo Rabbit (2019) / Barrell Dovetail Gold Label." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.

Nose

Brad: This nose is stunning. Normally, with higher-proof whiskeys, I give it a chance to clear out before I write a note of ethanol, but it doesn’t matter what you do—this one has ethanol to it. It's 140 proof. Put your big boy pants on because we’re going for a ride.

Once you work through the ethanol, there’s caramel, a really strong cinnamon stick vibe, and a little bit of creaminess. It reminded me of strawberries and cream. I really, really like this nose a lot. 8.5/10

Bob: I like this too, but I need to let it sit in the glass a little longer to open up. It’s so ethanol-heavy. Once you push past that, it’s dusty oak—exactly what we expect from a well-aged whiskey—and then that cinnamon note Brad mentioned. It gets a little sarsaparilla or root beer-ish.

I didn’t get any of the wine influence on the nose, though. Not especially complex for something this premium, but I’m hoping it opens up more. 7.5/10

Taste

Brad: The palate is where this really turns into a superstar. There’s oak in a really beautiful way, coconut, brown sugar, and this dark cherry syrup vibe that’s just delicious. A little nuttiness, too. I can’t speak highly enough of this. 9.5/10

Bob: I’m going to give this a 9/10. What wasn’t on the nose shows up right away on the palate—grape influence from the cabernet barrels is right there on the tip of the tongue. I thought it might turn too sweet, almost sour, but then I got this toasted coconut note on the back of my palate that balanced everything out.

It’s really complex. The rum influence kicks in on the back end, and I’m not usually a rum guy, but I appreciated how much it added here.

Finish

Brad: The finish continues where the palate left off—black cherry, brown sugar, cinnamon. The oak kind of disappears, which is great. It doesn’t turn bitter or sour. Just a beautifully executed finish. 9/10

Bob: First sip, the heat builds after you swallow. It reminded me of an atomic fireball or red hots—very cinnamon forward. Despite that, it doesn’t drink like 140 proof. Super syrupy, oily, and easy to drink… which is dangerous.

That said, the finish has a little too much rum and cabernet for me. I want less grape influence overall. I still appreciate the craftsmanship, though. Originally I was going to go lower, but I’ll bump it to a 8/10 after a third sip.

Balance

Brad: This balance is a 9/10. It’s an exceptional bourbon experience with a wine influence that’s not overwhelming in any way. Just masterful.

Bob: I’m going to agree—9/10 for balance. Even though the nose let me down a bit, all those notes were still present on the palate, just more subtle. That third sip really changed things for me. The complexity here is no joke.

Value

Brad: $500 is steep, but if you’re in the luxury bourbon market, I think this bottle earns it. The toasted coconut alone is worth writing home about. It’s a unique experience. 8/10

Bob: I’m going to give it a 6/10. There’s some transparency missing on exactly what’s in the bottle—beyond “up to 25 years.” It’s a good whiskey, but I can name a handful of other Barrell products I’d reach for before this one, and they cost far less. This is a great whiskey that’s just not quite for me.

Final Scores

Brad: 44/50
Bob: 39.5/50
Average: 41.75/50

Conclusion

Barrell Craft Spirits Dovetail Gold Label is a bold, high-proof whiskey with a deeply layered flavor profile. Despite some personal reservations, it’s undeniably well-crafted. Coming in at 41.75/50, this clears our “worth a try or buy” threshold with room to spare.

If you’re in the mood to splurge or want a showstopper bottle for your collection, this is a strong contender. And if you’re new to wine-finished bourbons, be warned—this one is not for the faint of heart, but it just might blow your mind.