Tastes

I have a bottle thats been open for some time - for some reason, I remembered not enjoying this - but its been very pleasant for it’s 125 proof. Its fairly underdeveloped and the oak and heat can overtake the gentler apple and caramel notes. But its definitelt not overwhelming. I still get classic apples and caramel softed by vanilla on the nose, perhaps i see some of the banana note others have mentioned. The palate is surpirsingly gentle, presumably since ive had this bottle open half full for a while. Its sweet in the front with apples, caramel and vanilla - some darker notes appear with a hint of brown sugar in the mid palate as the alcohol heat intensifies and the oakiness overtakes the other flavors. The finish is long and warming, as one would expect for a whiskey at 125 proof - and it leaves the mouth drying with a bit of apple leftover. Certaintly not my favorite barrel proof whiskey, but im glad i gave it another try!

The nose is sweet and inviting. I notice the raisin aroma first, but its followed by honey and cinnamon. A faint hint of cocoa or dark chocolate is present as well. The palate is warm, sweet, and inviting with a silky mouthfeel. The sherried raisins are present with the honey and citrus peel, a hint of the baking spice in the middle. Dates & figs sit through the middle as the finish warms up. The finish is sweet, warm, and lingering. Absolutely delightful.

Picked up a half sized bottle locally for $30 in 2024 and enjoying it quite a bit! Nose: cherries, caramel, light brown sugar. Hints of red delicious apples and a faint dusting of nutmeg. Palate: mellow, pleasant sweetness. Classic bouron notes of vanilla, mellow cinnamon, some apples. Pleasant finish warming with baking spices. Invites another sip. Slightly higher rating than before. Good but not incredible.

What an amazing whiskey, consistently delicious. The nose is hot - but not overwhelming, especially at over 130proof. A rich sweetness bounces between mcintosh apples, toasted brown sugar, molasses, and baking spice — including cinnamon and nutneg. The alcohol heat remains in the midst of all that sweetness to keep the aroma from being overwhelmingly sweet. Sitting longer brings aromas teminsicent of cherry or apple pie baking in the oven. Obviously the palate is hot, but not overwhelming to those initiated into the world of higher proof whiskies. The heat quickly transitions into a rich sweetness that coats the whole mouth. The brown sugar and caramel are very pronounced on the palate. A softer vanilla ice cream sweetness follows in the midpalate with apples. The mouthfeel is creamy and at times even chewy, the finish is long and warming, leaving a tingling sensation on the mouth from the higher proof. Crisp autumn air and apples blossom in the finish along with plenty of heat. One of my absolute favorite bourbons - and this 11y2m old release bottled at 130.6proof maintains my love of ECPB.

Tasted this side by side with the beloved Talisker 10. Pleasantly surprised by this younger, cask strength variation. A shallow breath reveals a sweeter nose with toasted sugar sweetness and orchard fruits like apple and pear. But a deeper breath through the nostrils presented classic Talisker salty sea spray, mild camp smoke and pepper. The palate begins remarkably sweet, delivering on the aromatic promise of pears, apples, and honey. As the whiskey moves on the Talisker asserts itself with a raging spray of salty oceanside brine, dry and almost charred wood notes morph into a hot and peppery camp smoke. The finish is long, warming, and pops with one last dash of the orchard fruits before billowing up plumes of camp smoke and spicy black pepper drying out the palate. The whisky’s higher proof leaves a mild tingling sensation in the mouth which invites, nay, demands, a second sip - especially coupled with the drying black pepper abd smoke. A fantastic expression from one of my favorite distillers.

Nose: cherry and subtle cocoa powder with a hint of rose petals Palate: brighter than anticipated, with a tinge of chili spice, a hint of salt, and a lot of sweet dried fruit. Almost a pop of cotton candy sweetness before the finish. Full bodied. Rich and delightful!

Rich amber color, light bodied. Nose: strong sherry cask influence, honey, sweet fruit basket, cherries, dark cocoa, and a touch of cinnamon. Palate: mellow and warming. Honey and fresh fruit, unsweet cocoa, faint hint of oak, mild touch of nutmeg and clove. Finish: bright, with lingering honey, mild clove spice, and ripe green apples.

Full bodied, silky, dark amber colored Aroma: Vanilla cake, ripe apples, allspice, a faint caramel candy, stone fruit, a hint of oak Palate: fresh apples, vanilla spice, cinnamon, mild oak, a touch of caramel and a faint hint of leather. Finish: bright, hot, and lingering with cinnamon spice, tart apple, and mild caramel sweetness. Slightly drying. Long after the sip has passed, there’s a hint of caramel apple.

Light honey colored. Nose: apples and cinnamon, honey and vanilla. Palate: honey and apples. Vanilla sweetness. Mild cocoa. Finish: the finish is quick but pleasant. Reminding us of the fruity flavors beforehand with a touch of oakiness. Nothing outstanding, but it’s completely inoffensive and friendly. An easy intro scotch for those new to whiskies or trying to bridge the gap from American to scotch whiskies.

Honey-amber colored. Light bodied and oily. Nose: fresh lemon and oranges. Subtle cinnamon and clove spices. Notes of milk chocolate, vanilla, and apples round out the aroma with sweetness inviting another pass. Palate: vanilla sweetness, soft oakiness, cinnamon, lemon juice, a touch of bittersweet cocoa. Finish: the finish is fairly brief, mildly oaky, and refreshing with milk chocolate and a good dose of citrus from orange and lemons.