Tastes

21c Louisville Store pick N: cloves, dried fruit, hint of booziness T: Brown sugar, raisin, light nuttiness H: moderate, lengthy, builds through the dram O: a good balance and a pleasure to sip on. It’s got a prominent, slow heat but lacks the punch in the face of higher proofs. A bit more of the sweeter flavor notes keeps this from being a full-on favorite

N: a unique funk, I’m reminded of standing in a distillery room. Not unpleasant. Corn, peaty, very earthy T: dark chocolate, leather, coffee H: mild, almost nonexistent until the very end Overall: this is quite different, especially the nose. The flavors are somewhat varied but definitely on the earthy spectrum. Got better through the pour

N: oaky, baking spice, gingersnap? T: caramel but not overpowering sweet, strong oak and a little smokey on the finish H: moderate, late hot finish Overall: Nice nose, some unique earthy notes there. The pretty strong oak finish wasn’t my favorite, it didn’t overpower but it was fairly prominent. Kinda reminded me of a scotch at times

Berns Barrell N: peppery, woody, butterscotch, plum?, overall subtle and sweet T: a little pepper, light tobacco, slight oaky finish Heat: late, medium Overall, good balance. Nothing outstanding or spectacular in the taste, but the late heat is a pleasant finish.

Better than good, not quite great. More drinkable the longer I went. Just the right amount of smoke. Sweet and honey? Hint of heat at the end

Act 8 Scene 6 N: dark fruit, pepper, the port is apparent T: oaky, sweet fruit, cherry H: moderate, strong through the middle

N: earthy T: buttery H: medium, up front, then recurrent on the finish 4.16.21 N: fruit jam, raspberries, red apple, just a bit boozy T: dried fruit, cloves, buttery, tobacco H: moderate, late gentle kick F: an echo of the deep jammy fruit, with a side of nuttiness Overall: an interesting lot fruity and sweet rye. Just enough spice and heat to balance.

MB: BT Mashbill #2 “High-rye” N: Red Apple, vanilla, oak T: cinnamon, light vanilla, green apple late H: Upfront, and summers throughout O: like a spicy apple pie. A touch more bitter than I typically like, but a nice balance of sweet/earthy flavors with neither too dominating.

Quite drinkable. Light apple and sugar, very little oakiness, hint of smoke, slightest heat at the end