Tastes

Perhaps my palate is not as finessed as others, but I could not detect any Cognac notes in this release. It very much tastes like typical 6-8YR "high rye" MGP mashbill bourbon. As such, it's a little under-proof for my tastes, but if that taste profile is something you enjoy at 99 proof, this is a classic example of it. Rich and oily mouthfeel, loads of toffee, tobacco and leather with a medium length medium heat spicy finish. Not a bad pour, but you should be able to find a similar palate for a few dollars less and no promises of Cognac :)

Young, sweet, syrupy corn followed by cherry cough syrup, ending with sweet burnt popcorn.

2018 Single Barrel "Store Pick", signed by Dan.

Weighing in at under 90 proof, this will be a little thin, a little light. Caramel, honey, and a little corn on the front. Vanilla and dried fruit tempt you on the middle. The finish is mostly cherry cough syrup with a little baking spice. I would consider it a thin, short, light, finish, but the baking spice remains on the tongue after the "hug" is complete. Not a bad bottle, but about $10 more expensive than it should be for what it is. Interested to try the Cask/Barrel Strength version.

While there is a lot going on with this bottle, the finish is overwhelmed by the youngest addition to the blend. I understand the why, but I think this would have been better if the 3YR stuff was more like 30-40% of the mix, at 52% that young rye just takes over. All in all, not a bad dram, definitely has a Canadian front, very smooth and sweet, middle brings out cherry, butterscotch, caramel. The finish is pure grass to me, just young rye. This is one I'll keep on the bar for a conversation starter, but not a go-to bottle for me.

Starts like Bourbon, Finishes like Rye Begins with a full frontal assault of caramel, mingles with butterscotch, slight undertones of cedar and vanilla. The rye grass and dill pickle arrive mid-palate, gradually taking over the finish with light baking spice on the tongue and the same dill pickle after taste. Surprising to find so much rye influence in a bourbon, but sadly not very complex.

Batch 15 This begins like a wheater, very soft, honey and caramel. Mid brings some tobacco and pepper. Finish.... is harsh, tastes like young oak. Aging another 4-6 years would probably make an amazing whiskey. As it is bottled, it isn't.

Let this one sit in your glass 10-15 minutes before sipping. Straight from the bottle, this is meh, it's a hot mess. Let it rest a few minutes and it comes alive. Creamy, buttery, caramel, and butterscotch bomb with cinnamon and black pepper spice on the finishing tongue. Finish is a little shorter than expected, quick and dry on the throat.

Even to my mostly broken sniffer, the nose is all butterscotch. A very smooth and creamy entry, butterscotch and caramel through mid-palate, and a very short, dry finish, with a little "wet wood" taste on the end. I find it quite easy to sip, but rather boring. My wife appreciates the creamy mouth full of butterscotch with no bite on the end.

2017 Bottling