New England Barrel Company 13 Year Single Barrel Canadian Rye Armagnac Finish

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep amber with excellent clarity
• Nose: Refined elegance with rye spice married to sweet ripe dark fruit , hints of fig, dried cherries, and warm oak from the Armagnac barrel, subtle grape brandy notes with peppermint and herbal undertones
• Palate: Refined elegance, marrying the rye spice with the sweet depth you get from ripe dark fruit , layers of complexity with cherry juice, burnt toffee, earthy grass notes, spearmint, and hints of butterscotch and caramel, thick mouthfeel with grape influence adding woodsy tones
• Finish: Long, warming finish with herbal and botanical rye notes, grape brandy sweetness reminiscent of rock candy, lingering spice and fruit complexity

Meet the Founder: James Saunders

New England Barrel Company (NebCo) was founded in October 2020 by James Saunders, a Boston, MA native. James Saunders, New England Barrel Company's President & Head Blender, worked for 20 years in sales and leadership roles in the Enterprise IT field where his clients introduced him to the magic of American whiskey.

James Saunders is putting a new face on the $40 billion alcohol industry. When he first founded New England Barrel Company, James Saunders had no idea that the project, which began as an after-hours gig, would soon grow to become the region's biggest whiskey brand. Over the span of four years, New England Barrel Company has risen to prominence, winning major awards and becoming the whiskey of choice throughout the six states representing its home base.

James was an avid member of the local bourbon community and went from being a hobbyist who selected exceptional barrels for whiskey groups and liquor stores to beginning his own brand where he could fully showcase his renowned palate. James credits his children for being the impetus behind him starting the brand. The first barrels he ever bought for himself were ones he sought out from the birth year of each of his children, a project he began with the hope of maturing them until his kids reached legal drinking age

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the 13 Year Armagnac Finish special?
This Canadian rye is aged for 13 years and then finished for 12 months in oak that contained a lovely 21-year-old Armagnac, bottled at 139.2 Proof (69.6% ABV). The Armagnac finish adds layers of sweet dark fruit, grape brandy complexity, and woodsy tones that complement the rye's natural spice. Armagnac is a spicier, earthier version of grape brandy that's distilled only once, leaving more flavor compounds than Cognac. This extended aging and unique finishing process creates a refined, elegant whiskey that's unlike typical ryes. Each single barrel is unique, showcasing James Saunders' expert barrel selection.

How should I drink a 139.2 proof whiskey?
At barrel strength (139.2 proof), this rye benefits from a few drops of water or a large ice cube to open up the flavors and tame the heat. Many enthusiasts find it drinks below its alcohol content due to the smoothness from 13 years of aging, but water releases additional fruit and floral notes. Sip it slowly in a Glencairn or rocks glass to fully appreciate the complexity. If you prefer lower proof, start with water and adjust to your taste—the high proof gives you control over your perfect sipping strength.

What is Armagnac and why finish rye in it?
Armagnac is a grape brandy from the Gascony region of France, typically distilled only once through pot stills, which leaves behind more flavor compounds than twice-distilled Cognac. It's spicier, earthier, and bolder than Cognac. Finishing rye whiskey in barrels that previously held 21-year-old Armagnac imparts complex dark fruit notes, grape sweetness, and woodsy characteristics that beautifully complement rye's natural spice. This technique bridges American rye tradition with French brandy elegance, creating a truly unique flavor experience.

Is this Black-owned whiskey brand really making an impact?
Absolutely. Founded by James Saunders in 2020, New England Barrel Company has become the region's biggest whiskey brand in just four years, winning "Best in Show" at the TAG Global Spirit Awards and numerous other prestigious awards. James is putting a new face on the $40 billion alcohol industry and is committed to lifting up the entire New England distilling community. He's opening a distillery and tasting room in Reading, Massachusetts, and plans to help other upstart distillers by offering production capacity. His mission is to bring transparency, quality, and accessibility back to American whiskey.

Why is this a single barrel and what does that mean?
Single barrel means this whiskey comes from one specific barrel, not blended with others. Each barrel develops unique characteristics based on its location in the warehouse, wood grain, and aging conditions. This means every single barrel release from New England Barrel Company is slightly different, offering a one-of-a-kind experience. James Saunders personally tastes and selects each barrel for the single barrel program, ensuring only the most exceptional barrels are bottled individually. Once a barrel sells out, that exact flavor profile is gone forever.

What's the difference between Canadian rye and American rye?
Canadian rye whiskey must contain some rye but doesn't have a minimum percentage requirement like American rye (which must be 51% rye). Canadian ryes are often smoother and lighter-bodied. This 13-year-old Canadian rye has spent over a decade developing complexity and smoothness before the Armagnac finish added even more layers. The extended aging creates a refined character that showcases what Canadian rye can achieve with patience and expert finishing.

Is New England Barrel Company transparent about sourcing?
Yes! James Saunders built his brand on transparency, integrity, and honesty. He works with distilleries across the country to source exceptional barrels, imports them to New England, and openly discusses where his products come from. He's committed to giving consumers quality whiskey at fair prices without the marketing hype that drives up costs. His single barrel program specifically highlights which distilleries produced the whiskey, celebrating their craftsmanship.