Tastes

Mash: Undisclosed. Buffalo Trace mashbill #1. Low-Rye recipe; malted barley and rye understood to be similar percentages of the mash, and somewhere around 10% each P: 90 N: woody, boozy turpentine, hints of vanilla T: light nuttiness, leathery, hefty alcohol and oaky bitterness H: slow burn turns on late, medium overall I’ll be honest, not my favorite. It’s not a punch of flavor, which normally is fine, but there is a fairly robust bitter finish that just isn’t for me. Edit 3/11/21: it didn’t make sense that this would be this poor. It’s amazing what a little oxidation can do. The first taste was from an open bottle that had sat for a few months. I made sure to thoroughly mix the bottle prior to this pour, and the results were significantly different. This remains boozy on the nose but more hints of vanilla and floral. Taste is much less bitter, with caramel, cinnamon, butterscotch, with balanced moderate heat. Lesson learned. Bumped up from a 3 to a 4.

Nose: cinnamon, nutty, boozy chocolate Taste: sweet fruit (green apple? Cherry?) quickly swallowed by spicy caramel and sweet cream Heat: strong up front, sustains well after Not for the faint of heart. Strongly spicy and packed with tangy sweetness. The nose is particularly fun 3/11/21: nose is peppery fire, sunflower seeds, then chocolate, warmed butter. Taste - acidic fruitiness, late oaky but not bitter. The heat on this is incredible. A full swig might singe my taste buds. It is bold, nearing on domineering. Two drops of water cools it down a bit, brings out some buttery flavors, remains with some fruity apple/orange peel flavor. Just a bit more bitter oaky end. This may be the sweet spot. 4/4/21: finished the night with this. Just a spice bomb backup up with sweet cinnamon. Bold as hell, even with a couple drops of water.

Buttery, sweet, some lemon peel Mild-moderate heat

Nose: woody, caramel, almond, olive? Taste: sweet toffee up front, oaky middle, strong Heat: late and strong, not overpowering Overall: strong and bold

Nose: sweet fruit, cherry, caramel Taste: toffee, cinnamon, cherry, late light oak Heat: moderate+, long

Nose: floral, peanut butter Taste: mild overall. Tobacco, leather, a bit nutty, late dried fruit Heat: mild, subtle, long Overall: The nose is beautiful. Subtle in both flavor and heat. Not overpowering on any front. 3/11/21: N agree with floral, maybe some apple as well. T subtle, nutty, earthy for sure 4/30/21: N almond, dried cranberry, red apple. T slight peanut, brown sugar, finish dry oak. Heat is mild. 4/5

Nose: Baking spice and caramel Taste: Buttery, honey, caramel, hint of pear. Heat: Medium early, finishes long and strong Overall a subtly strong drink, with no outstanding or unusual flavor notes but well-balanced

Leukens Tampa Single Barrel - nose butterscotch, taste chocolate, coffee, leather, medium heat, just a touch of bitter oak finish. 3.17.21: This is really magnificent. The nose is sweet chocolate and butterscotch. The taste is vanilla, cream, light oak. Tons of flavor, sweets dominating.

Nose: turpentine, nutty Taste: nutty, ends oaky, slightly bitter Heat: mild, late burn

Nose: lemon peel, oaky Taste: vanilla, full Heat: medium and moderate length 4.17.21 N: classic sweet vanilla and caramel. Baking spice and cinnamon. Hint of red apple and banana. Full, sweet, and hearty T: a bit milder than the nose but plenty sweet and flavorful. Sweet cinnamon roll, brown sugar. Later on a leather and oak. F: nutty, slight oak, gentle heat H: fairly bold, long O: really tasty. Lends towards the sweet, bakery end. The heat is moderate for a 120 proof and a nice accompaniment to the flavor. 8/10