Tastes

Nose: brown sugar, citrus rind, and in the back…maple. A little spiritous but nice just the same. Palate: lemon juice, boysenberry syrup, melon, caramel, black pepper. A little hot. Finish: citrus rind, melon, strawberry menthols This drinks a lot like a cask strength sherried scotch…and thats a compliment. Solid stuff.

Nose: milk chocolate, suggestions of maple in background Palate: crème brûlée Finish: lemon rind, hint of oak, mild malt sweetness This is surprisingly smooth for the proof and a nice dram for sure. Not as sherried as I was expecting…leans a bit more to the bourbon barrel. Easy sipper. *this was a neck pour. We’ll see how a little O2 treats it after a few weeks.

Nose: milk chocolate, wood smoke, and ethanol. With time fresh cherry. With water strong maple comes on Palate: pine, caramel candy, citrus rind Finish: menthol, citrus, char, strawberry cream candy This is different, but every bit as good (maybe better flavor but not as smooth) as Rittenhouse (and mixes as good as Rittenhouse in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned). In fact, it reminds me of a less refined Rare Breed rye (which I love). For $29 a bottle this along with Rittenhouse will now have a place in my regular rotation as my go-to mixer for rye cocktails. Update: after this bottle is opened and oxidizes for about a week it really mellows and softens. Takes on a strong vanilla maple character. Delicous and smooth at 100 proof. Upping to 4.25 stars

Nose: wood smoke, raisins Palate: raisins, black pepper Finish: marzipan, pepper, cinnamon With water: gets sweeter Not bad. A little young, but not too bad at all. (Flaviar Advent Calendar)

Nose: apple and citrus Palate: citrus, white pepper Finish: lemon zest, white pepper With water: chardonnay, oak, butter, melon, bitter lemon, caramel. This takes water really well and i recommend it. (Flaviar Advent Calendar)

Nose: grapes, peat, barrel char, chocolate Palate: mild citrus, moderately sweet malt, hints of dried fruits Finish: mild fresh red fruit, bitter dark chocolate With water: drowns. Better neat. This is smooth as glass. Not super complex but well made and a solid Irish malt. (Flaviar Advent Calendar)

Nose: nutty, malt Palate: orange juice, oak, white pepper Finish: short. White pepper and orange blossom With water no change. Different. A little hot.

Nose: butterscotch hard candies Palate: vanilla Finish: oak, white pepper, marzipan With water: no change. Simple and inoffensive. (Flaviar Advent Calendar)