Tastes

Rated high as a wheater. Closer to 4 as a whiskey in general...I know I specific and anal. N: Sweet spice and slight fruity. No not like fruit punch dang it P: spice and vanilla and then cherry comes through. Think vanilla cream soda with a cherry on top. F: Dry and sweet, little burn. Probably the best part of the dram....as usual. You can almost taste sweet creamed corn as it lingers. Beautiful whiskey. If you get a chance to try it, do so. If you don't, your loss.

OMGosh the nose!!!! It's milky chocolate, it's slightly nutty, it's has warm vanilla and maple (not like Angel's Envy Rum finished Rye)...to quote Seth Rogen in pineapple express, "I want to live in here" P: light Cherry, Spice and a slight fruitiness, does have some heat to it. Peppery Rye notes also present. F: The spice and heat from the back pallete lead. Spice continues to linger with a slight sweetness but alot. Smooth like a Cask Strength, hahaha. In short the complexity is real. Interested to see future iterations and compare. Must try.

Nothing mind blowing but nicely balanced. Not oily and beautiful straw color N: White fruits, Sweet, very light peat P: Sweet Fruity notes upfront, peat pulls forward with Salty textures as its sits on the tongue. F: Smooth but almost short. Peat and a slight sweetness lingers. Great for intro drinkers as they note. Especially for intro to Islay/peated scotch. Love the Highland/Isle characteristics it's delivers. Epitome of a coastal scotch.

N: light vanilla and spice, oaky P: Baking Spices, Vanilla, Balanced and not hot F: feels short, smooth, with spices and caramel Given the mixed reviews was unsure what to expect. Not a mind blowing experience but not underwhelming. I got what I expected from BH. Would not pay more than standard MSRP. Would definitely not pay more than 55-60 for this. Sorry Parker ☹️

N: charred oak, reminds me of a smoldering campfire without the ash though and not like the nose you might get from a peated scotch from Isla like Ardbeg or kilchoman. This is much less aromatic or nuanced. P: oak notes take stage giving way to a slight spice at the back. Vanilla then light caramel the straight to bready and slightly spicy rye notes. Overall balanced but the amount of oak and the style of Willett leads me to believe this is a primarily younger bourbon. Well blended though. F: Medium in length with less sweetness then palate. Bready with rye spice/burn. I like this alot but think and would recommend for all to try. Scores are appropriate. Would love to see this age just a bit longer.

N: initially cherry forward with slight honey and spice. After a drop of water the honey and cinnamon rush forward to balance towards the exhale. P: Still sweet with spice similar to the nose. Alcohol burn becomes spicy with cinnamon and possibly toffee? Very rich and flavorful as expected. F: With water it mellows (duh), but overall is rich with a nice long Kentucky Hug of a burn that turns sweets as it lingers. Don’t like much burn? Add one more drop of water. No more than two or the flavors will likely become too mellow. Definitely one of if not the best of the lineup. From reading and now tasting I understand why this is the start of the top tier from Vanwinkle. It clearly distances itself from 10 and Lot B but does not have the forward vanilla/caramel expected by 20-23. Cheers!

Neat: N: Sweet with honey prominent, lighter fruits notes like banana P: bready, Like sweet cereal as noted with spices rolling into finish F: sweet with caramel and vanilla from the oak with vanilla lingering, light phenols First sip was smoother, got hotter as I progressed through the Drams. Cubed: N: Banana and light fruits like apple/pear more distinct P: more bready and oaky but still some spices F: Cinnamon and Clove right before finish with classic oak flavors of vanilla that linger. Obviously the heat/burn is mellowed... Overall great for only 49.99. Would buy again and recommend. The burn does creep up on you as it warms up. Wish I used a smaller cube...Cheers!