Tastes

Nose: Sweet creamed corn, butter, rye spices, caramel Palate: The nose translates well to the palate. Corn, butter, and caramel are present in spades. There’s just a touch of sweet fruit as well, maybe something like a sugar-covered berry. The heat is present, but seems to mostly wait until the finish. Finish: Caramel, vanilla, and gobs of cinnamon heat. Touches of leather and oak balance the finish with some rye spice joining in, but this is predominately sweet and hot. Tremendous pour. Some may prefer more oak than this presents, but I find the sweet and hot high-rye profile invogorating here.

Nose: Baking spice, oak, a touch of vanilla, caramel Palate: Sweet caramel, buttery caramel popcorn, apples, nutmeg and sweet spices. Finish: Sweet caramel, earthy oak, cherry and apple, leather, cinnamon heat. A touch of dryness to the finish, but the sweetness remains nonetheless. Sweetness abounds but the bourbon is more balanced than I would’ve thought. Absolutely a favorite.

Nose: Cinnamon, vanilla and other sweet baking spice, cherry, maple syrup Palate: Rich Vanilla, spicy oak, toasty notes as well. Maybe just a touch of dark cherries. Finish: Tingling baking spice, drying oak tannins, chocolate covered espresso beans, chocolate covered cherries, and some more rich and creamy vanilla. The oak stave process makes for a very interesting bourbon. Not ever really had anything quite like this finish. Its got bitterness and dryness, though not in a traditional sense. Ultimately at $40 for a bottle, I think its certainly worth a try.

Nose: Not a lot going on, but a bit of vanilla and spice can be picked up along with something that’s a bit floral and unfamiliar. Palate: Much more to offer than the nose. A big hit of oak and then some delicious honey and vanilla. Cinnamon is there as well as a touch of baking spice and cherry in the background. Finish: More honey, sweet oak and toasty rye spice join a black pepper hot finish. At this price point, you generally get a mixing whiskey, not a sipping one, but this is a sipper for me. Sure, there are far better bourbons, but this about as good as I’ve had under $30. A good bottle that helps your great bottles go further.

Nose: Very sweet and bready. Vanilla, maple, baking spice, and red apples are some identifiable flavors. Palate: Vanilla and spice are there, but the biggest flavor is a congac-like level fruitiness. Cherries, apples, and anise. Certainly a bit of a tingle, but much less than you’d expect with 111 proof. Finish: Leather and black cherry. A bit oaky, but not too tannic. Heat is there but not overwhelming. A little vanilla is left in the throat. Overall: This is a decent bourbon, although at times I definitely felt like it was a cognac. Depsite that quirk, there wasn’t too much to complain about here. Personally, I’d prefer something a bit less fruity, but it’s definitely worth a try. I’ll be interested to see if it changes any after being open a few months.

Nose: Rich and sweet. Vanilla cake, milk chocolate, a bit of sour cherry, and woody rye spice. Palate: Sweet and smooth. Vanilla, a touch of caramel and creamed corn, a bit of chocolate, and woody richness. Finish: Sweet, rich, and spicy. Cinnamon starts to buzz the tongue, making the creamy vanilla not only rich but also pleasently spiced. The vanilla is joined by sweet and sour cherry, grassy rye spice, and oak tanins. Incredibly rich and creamy balanced by a good finishing heat. Alcohol and oak tanins dry the finish a bit, but it still lasts a decent time. Overall, a wonderfully rich and sweet bourbon. The vanilla here is as pure as you’ll find from nose to finish. 4.5/5

Nose: whole wheat bread, creamed corn, a touch of banana, vanilla and cloves Palate: wheat bread stuffing with cranberries, rich vanilla pudding (almost a whipped cheescake filling level), cinnamon, cracked pepper Finish: whole wheat bread, fresh baked with some salt and wheat flour, cream on the sides of the palate, with earthy spice and a touch of smoke in the back of the palate and throat A lovely wheat bread nose, a rich, but not too sweet vanilla and cinnamon core, and an earthy finish from the barley and barrel. The further you get into the glass, the more vanilla and fruit you get on the palate. Very nice.