Tastes

I've had this bottle for months and finally decided to see what the hype is about. I've had sinus congestion issues for a week or more now, so my smell/taste might be a bit off, but... I get a sweeter nose than I expected - vanilla, banana, no caramelly sweetness. I get a hint of citrus immediately on the palate, but it quickly gives way to the baking spices and pepperiness that you'd expect with a high rye. The finish is a bit dead - I get some grassy, woody, straw notes, and that's about it besides the baking spices, but that may be my sinus issues. For $60-80 that you see it for now on secondary I'd pass. For the $40 it should cost, it's still good, although I'd probably go with a 4 Roses SB store pick if I'm looking for a high rye bourbon in that price range.

Has a light sweet, creamy caramelly nose. More creamy banana on the palate initially which masks the young, green woodiness. Not very complex, but highly drinkable. Feels like a young Old Forester. Months later I'm tasting this bottle again and here are my notes... Sweet citrus on the nose, smooth corn whiskey mouth feel, and typical young barrel char on the palate with a hint of rye spice on the finish.

Smells like corn and wet newspaper. Oily on the palate, with distinct rye up front and and light oaky finish. My guess is they use a very light char barrel as I don't get any caramel, butterscotch, or vanilla that I associate with a more heavily charred barrel. I feel like a couple more years in the barrel might do this one some good... or maybe go really out there and rebarrel this into a heavy char barrel for a good 5-6 years and really get some complex flavors into it and call it a double oaked. As is, I suspect simple notes of baking spices will develop out of this one and the raw, young oakiness could develop into some citrus in future bottlings. Not a drain pour, but not kinda young and I don't get the impression it's going to turn into anything great with more time in the barrel.

Vanilla and butterscotch nose, little cinnamon up front with some citrus. Smooth finish, but a surprisingly young oakiness. I like it.

Sweet caramel nose, you can definitely smell the beer, too. Crisp and leathery on the tongue with a bit of spice in the finish.

Smells of maple and spices. Taste of orange and cocoa that fade into a floral and spice finish.

Very smooth, sweet and creamy. Vanilla and maple are strong in this. Hard to compare to regular WR - I feel like this is a different mash bill, even. Probably need to taste side by side to more accurately compare/contrast.