Tastes

The smell comes across like a campfire on the beach. There is plenty of smoke, but there is also the smell of wet charred wood. The taste starts sweet and bright, a hint of citrus, then smoke swells up and overwhelms everything. As the smoke dissipates (well lessens) other notes come out. Oranges and lemons, with oak barrel, and the smoke hanging on as the finish lingers.

Like sitting by a fire on the beach, when the wind blows in your face, but in a good way. With the smoke being so prevalent, you have to pay attention to find lemon zest, honey, iodine, and sea salt.

The first smell is like a crisp apple cider, all bright and fresh, and tart like green apples. There’s vanilla, and the faintest hint of seasoned wood. The taste pairs well with the nose, fresh apples are strongly present, and maybe pears coming along too. There’s a bit of cut grass, the sour and bitter like mown alfalfa, then eucalyptus, and ginger. The finish lingers longer than expected, and it is hotter than expected for 40% ABV. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this whiskey, having seen mixed reactions, but for $39.95, I’m glad I picked this up.

This bottle has been open for a little over a month now and is developing into a more interesting drink. The oak is still there, but vanilla notes have become much stronger on the nose. Some rye spice, and toasted barrel come through in the taste.

On the first sip, there’s honey, cherries, and some oak char. A second taste brings apples, cinnamon, and a toasted grain note like pie crust, followed by vanilla. The finish is long but gentle; oak, cinnamon, and barrel char. Adding water brings forward the oak, and a citrus note, but dims the apples and cinnamon.