Tastes

N: some extra corn funk up front, with old wet oak and maple syrup. Lighter late notes of orange and lemon peel P: fruit notes carry over, some green apple but mostly citrus, also cola and caramel. F: the old oak returns, moderate length H: moderate heat, a nice complement O: this is quite nice. Leaning towards earthy flavors, but with a nice complement of fruit. More than sippable, really enjoyable and a good example of what aging can add

N: rich, buttery, caramel, a little booze punch T: baking spices, bready, some bitter dark chocolate, hint of oak H: moderate, pleasant O: just this side of bitter to be great, it’s a good bourbon with earthy/grainy profile. A good opener for the night, but wouldn’t go back for a second.

N: brown sugar, then woody raisin T: corn, brown sugar continues. H: apparent up front, cools gently to the end F: short O: This is easily drinkable, and inoffensive. Pretty hot up front. Very sweet, and not nearing the complexity of others at the $80 price point

N: banana, peanut, sweet corn P: Banana nut bread, cinnamon F: gentle oak H: spicy, long “r/Bourbon Barrell Single Barrel Z1H5 5yr Kentucky Barrel Proof Tasting Notes: Extremely rich, complex and powerful. Pungent brown sugar, toffee, tobacco, big cherry and fruit notes combine with gingerbread, pepper, honey and pepper. Insane complexity, drinks tame hiding a 60% ABV. Blind champion among 7 samples, this was a unanimous favorite between John, Jay & Josh with the panel thinking this drank like an Armagnac Finished Bourbon that was several years older.”

N: old oak, cinnamon, deep brown sugar P: cinnamon, baking spice, light corn, earthy wet oak H: moderate, complimentary A delightfully balanced drink. Earthy oak suggests some age, with accompanying sweeter baking flavors counterbalance.

N: vanilla, allspice, cinnamon, light cherry, barrel char and light oak T: cinnamon, light woodiness, walnut, dark chocolate H: light O: a well balanced drink from start to finish. Nothing is blaring or bold. On the woody side of taste profile, with just a hint of chocolatey char of a double-oaked, without the candy-bar sweetness. The age is apparent, but oak does not dominate. Reminds me a bit of Kentucky spirit, with a bit extra flavor.

‘Westshore Lost Barrel 6yr,’ neck pour N: Spiced, almost jammy apple butter. Cinnamon. Wet oak. Pretty classic bourbon, but certainly deep and rich T: toasty, warm. Not overwhelming, given the proof. Sweet tones of caramel mix with more subtle notes of almond. H: readily apparent, strong, fades quickly After a drop of water N: a bit more floral, cinnamon and allspice remain T: more nutty, cinnamon and butter. almond, gingerbread H: later onset, burns slower, quick finish Overall this is a high flavor, moderate complexity bourbon. The flavor matches the proof, although it drinks easily for 134. I did appreciate a drop or two of water, which didn’t so much tone down the heat as bring out some other, although still traditional flavors. 8/10

N: vanilla, banana and orange peel, a touch of dank woodiness, ethanol T: cinnamon, hazelnut, walnut H: mild F: short, light oak Overall a decent sipper. light, nutty, and sweet. 7/10

N: nutty nutty nutty, corn, a hint of woody oak, apple butter T: peanut continues prominently, banana H: moderate O: a fun experiment in woody flavors, particular peanut. Really no bitter finish. A unique, flavorful taster.