New England Barrel Company 8 Year Single Barrel Toasted Rye

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Rich amber with brilliant clarity
• Nose: Sweet vanilla bean and toasted oak, warm baking spices with cinnamon and clove, hints of braised apples and caramel, subtle herbal rye notes
• Palate: Vanilla, oak, and braised apple, layers of butterscotch and caramel sweetness, rye spice with black pepper and cinnamon, toasted oak influence adding depth and complexity, rich mouthfeel with exceptional balance
• Finish: Long, warm finish with lingering vanilla sweetness, toasted oak tannins, and subtle apple pie spice, remarkably smooth for the proof with satisfying 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 8 Year Toasted Rye special?
This 8 and a half year old rye whiskey was distilled in Tennessee and then finished for over 8 months with medium toasted American French Oak, coming in at 133.8 Proof / 66.9% ABV. It has a mash bill of 95% rye grain, 5% malted barley and is non-chill filtered. The toasted oak finish (rather than charred) adds unique vanilla, caramel, and braised apple notes without the aggressive char flavor. This finishing technique is less common than traditional charred barrels and creates a smoother, sweeter profile. Each single barrel is hand-selected by James Saunders for its exceptional quality.

How should I drink barrel strength rye at 133.8 proof?
At 133.8 proof, this rye is best enjoyed with a few drops of water or over a large ice cube to open up the flavors and moderate the heat. Many rye enthusiasts enjoy exploring it at full proof first to appreciate its intensity, then gradually adding water to find their sweet spot. The toasted oak finish and 8+ years of aging make it surprisingly approachable for the proof. Try it in a Glencairn glass or rocks glass to fully experience the vanilla, oak, and apple notes.

What's the difference between toasted and charred oak?
Charred oak (standard for bourbon and most whiskeys) involves burning the inside of the barrel at high heat, creating a layer of char that adds caramelized sugar, vanilla, and smoky notes. Toasted oak uses lower heat without flame, gently toasting the wood to bring out sweeter, more delicate flavors like vanilla, baking spices, and fruit notes without the char's aggressive tannins. The toasted American French Oak finish on this rye adds layers of vanilla and braised apple sweetness that complement the rye spice beautifully.

What is a 95/5 rye mash bill?
A 95% rye, 5% malted barley mash bill is one of the most rye-forward whiskeys you can find, delivering bold, spicy character with black pepper, herbal notes, and assertive rye flavor. The 5% malted barley helps with fermentation and adds subtle sweetness. This high-rye recipe is favored by rye purists who want maximum rye character. James Saunders openly disapproves of barely legal ryes (51% rye minimum), preferring expressions like this that showcase rye's full potential.

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 choose a single barrel over a small batch?
Single barrels offer a unique, unrepeatable experience—each barrel develops its own character based on warehouse location, wood grain, and aging conditions. When you buy a single barrel from New England Barrel Company, you're getting a whiskey that James Saunders personally selected as exceptional enough to stand alone. Small batches blend multiple barrels for consistency, while single barrels celebrate individuality. Once this barrel sells out, you'll never taste this exact profile again.

What does "non-chill filtered" mean and why does it matter?
Non-chill filtered means the whiskey isn't subjected to cold filtration before bottling, which would remove fatty acids and proteins that can cause cloudiness. James Saunders insists on non-chill filtration because it preserves maximum flavor and mouthfeel. As he explains, chill filtering pulls out flavor compounds, and when quality products move quickly off shelves, there's no need to sacrifice taste for shelf stability. The result is a richer, more flavorful whiskey with better texture.

Is 8 years considered well-aged for rye?
Yes! While bourbon often benefits from 10+ years of aging, rye whiskey tends to be enjoyed younger (4-8 years) because extended aging can sometimes overpower rye's delicate herbal and spice notes with too much oak. At 8+ years, this rye has developed excellent complexity and smoothness while maintaining its characteristic rye spice. The toasted oak finish adds additional aging influence, creating depth typically found in much older whiskeys.