Tastes

Brown sugar and banana bread and char > char and more bananas. Simple finish. Enjoying this more after being open a week.

The nose is pure bulk bin store peanut butter—mostly the oil. Surprisingly little ethanol vapor for the proof, and easy to huff. Palate is more peanut butter with some vanilla and brown sugar, and a little touch of citrus. Finish is spicy and dry, short to medium length and yep—more peanut butter. Lacking the complexity I’d hoped for.

Oak, raisins and nectarine on the nose. Spice, spice, heat, heat, and more heat on the plate. One of the longest, spiciest finishes I’ve encountered. Heat is surprising for this proof. I’ve had much less heat from 130+-proof drama.

Nose of sweet caramel and brown sugar nicely balanced with wood and char. More brown sugar and a hint of citrus on the palate. VERY rich! If you love a rich bourbon, this is for you. Mid-length finish with a mild oaky astringency. So satisfying.

I tried this last night (newly opened) and could only connect with the richness and considerable heat—which I like. Retried it again tonight and seem more capable of expressing its complexity. Chocolate, leather and dark, dried fruits on the nose. Rich, chocolaty palate with considerable, though pleasant, burn. More fruit. Dried nectarines? Long, long finish with lingering sugar and fruity spice.

Bourbon Enthusiast store pick. Barrel 14-751. 111.2 proof. Tobacco and leather on the nose, with a bit of cherry and cinnamon too. Big mouth feel with big cinnamon. Long, complex, peppery finish.—that occasionally throws a musty note. When I opened this bottle I wasn’t so fond, but it has grown by leaps and bounds as I return to it.

Nose full of oak and sawdust, but pay attention and you’ll catch a whiff of dark cherry. It’s the opposite of full on the palate. Feels like it’s almost not there. No sweetness. Very dry with more astringent feel than taste. Finish is long with a spice bite on the edges of the tongue.

Cinnamon and cherry syrup nose. More cherry on the palate—and lots of heat. Long sharp finish that lingers and varies cinnamon, cherry and even a little grape. Not a stretch to say you’ll bump into some jolly rancher flavors as you sip through your glass.

Apple and honey! Finish occasionally rewards you with a blast of chocolate.