Tastes

Color: Very light amber. Nose: Lemon zest, vanilla, pine, touch of gran mariner. Pretty light. Taste: Cherry syrup. Slight heat. Orange zest. Raspberries. Oily mouth feel. Toffee. Finish: Surprisingly long finish. Caramel. Clove spice. Toffee. Slightly raisiny. Verdict: This is based on first tasting. I just opened this stuff. I usually wait, but excitement won out. All in all, it’s not bad. There are plenty of bottles I’d rather have at this price point, but for what is in all likelihood a one time, novelty buy, it leaves me pleasantly surprised. I think it definitely has the potential to open up. The nose is really light and underwhelming. I like the body of it. The finish here is where it’s at, and honestly drinks like it’s closer to 8-10 years, not 6 1/2. Some of the toffee and berry notes remind me of Four Roses Small Batch, though it certainly doesn’t achieve the full complexity of that bottle.

Four Roses Small Batch Color: Light amber Nose: Apricot. Orange pith. Toffee. Hot buttered rum. Taste: Pecan Sandies. Raspberries. Vanilla bean. Caramel. Finish: Medium to long finish. Raspberry jam. Shortbread cookies. Cinnamon. Nutmeg. Maple syrup. Verdict: Really nice. Rewards slow, concentrated sips. Overall, this is really well balanced, slightly stronger on nose and finish. Love the taste of pecan sandies - a great cookie which really sums up the flavors here well. To paraphrase Dylan and Harrison, I’d have this anytime.

Eagle Rare 10 Year Glencairn / neat / rest 10 minutes Color: Pretty light. Amber. Nose: Light. Cream sherry. Heavy caramel. Gourmet chocolate shop. Taste: Caramel. Boardwalk caramel, even. Samoa girls scout cookies. Orange pith. Finish: Long and lingering. Cherry tootsie roll pop. Vanilla bean. Dark chocolate. Creamy. Verdict: Excellent. Would like to keep a bottle around all the time. While I would like more from the nose, the smell of caramel that comes off this juice, though dominating other notes, is just downright sexual. Samoas have long been a favorite cookie, and I really think this carries those flavors: chocolate, caramel, toasted coconut (not to mention childhood anticipation, taboot). But for me, the finish is where it all goes down with this one. Really lingers and leaves sweet rich notes that develop and enrich with each new sip of the pour. It’s harmonious, y’all.

Light heat, cherry cola, vanilla, spiced apple, maple syrup, orange pith, French toast. Light but complex. Taste: Oily mouth feel, apple pie, basil, vanilla, caramel Finish: Medium-long finish, cream soda, basil, toffee, deep cherry syrup