Reviews

Pretty ridiculously good. Strong, funky, aged oak on the nose with a touch of sweetness. Palate has the perfect amount of oak. Also tobacco and brown sugar. Finish is strong. This one stands out. Some bottles you regret after paying secondary prices, and some bottles you understand the insane markup from the first pour. This bottle is special. Nose 10 / Palate 10 / Finish 9

Nose 5 / Palate 4.5 / Finish 4 - Total 4.5

Nose 4, Palate 4.5, Finish 4 ... Total 4.25 10 year age statement Nose: vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, oak Palate: rye spice and oak initially, giving way to chocolate malt on the back end Finish: medium-length, lingering chocolate malt

Nose 4.5 / Palate 4 / Finish 4 - Total 4.25 Nose is aromatic and very sweet. The wheat is evident. Lots of caramel. Palate is more of the same, with a bit of heat building through the back end. Finish is medium-short length, with a bit of heat on top of the same caramel sweetness. Overall, maybe not a very complex bourbon, but one that is very well-done. Either this or its Cask Strength version is the best NC-distilled bourbon that I have tasted.

Nose 3.5 / Palate 4 / Finish 4 Sweet but muted nose despite 30 minutes rest in glencairn. Strong palate with more sweetness. Finish carries the sweetness into a building heat for a medium-long finish. In head-to-head unblinded tasting vs Architect Build 8, much weaker nose, similar palate, but slightly stronger finish. Architect Build 8 won the tasting , but overall they offer very similar flavor profile and experience.

Nose 4 / Palate 4 / Finish 4 Fragrant nose, sweet palate, medium-short finish with equal amounts of sweet and spice. Very similar, but slightly preferred to the Architect Crème Brûlée in a head-to-head unblinded tasting (better nose, shorter but sweeter finish).

Nose 4.5 / Palate 4.5 / Finish 4.5 = Total 4.5 Elevated all-around. The 15 year age comes through on the nose/palate with a bit of oak funk.