Tastes

Nose: Dates, pears, dry crusty bread, earth, faint soft leather, young sheep’s milk manchego. Palette: Beeswax, more manchego, more dates, white pepper, bay leaf. Noticeable eucalyptus/mint note after adding a drop of water. Finish: Candied orange peel, cocoa, faint dried mushrooms, paraffin, antique wood, dry earth. Only my second Compass Box whiskey as I work through the 3-bottle sampler (Spice Tree, Peat Monster, and this). Expected something much sweeter from the PX casks. I like the subtlety but Spice Tree was more my speed.

Nose: Strong sherry notes of raisin and prune right out of the bottle. Caramel and chocolate as it opens up. Occasional whispers of nutmeg, dry cinnamon, and blowing dust when I look for them. Palette: Tons of black pepper followed by dark agave, blackstrap molasses, raisins, oiled leather, sarsaparilla, and wood - primarily oak with touches of mesquite. Finish: Long. Peppery sensation hangs around with woody notes. Oily and cheek-coating. Root beer barrel candy retro-nasal with the same numbing sensation on the tongue and gums.

Nose: Toasted almond, marshmallow, light cherry, play-doh, cinnamon roll, fresh cut pine, grilled pineapple. Palette: Salted roasted peanuts, cherry, vanilla, sticky brown sugar. Finish: Good spread with a medium finish. Ethanol wasn’t overpowering for 104.6 proof.