Black Velvet Reserve

Neat, real hot, a bit turpentine, but as it breathes it mellows a little. One ice cube makes it far more tolerable, mostly vanilla and spice.

Strong oak. Sweet but not very smooth.

Smells lightly of a vanilla caramel, with some alcohol burn. Taste is odd, camel vanilla and oak battle it out in a fashion I found largely unappealing. I bought this to satisfy a friend, and while the goodwill gesture didn't cost me much-needed I still found it wanting.

Nose: Rye spice, caramel, plums, ginger Palate: Brown sugar, molasses, pears, apples Finish: Ginger and some baking spices A very unremarkable whisky. Very smooth and easy to sip, it feels watered down. It's not bad, but it's very faint in both smell and taste and fades quickly afterwards. Good for beginners or as a mixer. Goes well with coke.