Bondstone Bourbon Toasted Barrel

Neat Full, caramels

Color: Medium Amber Nose: Honey cough drops, leather, oak. Palate: (Drank with an ice cube) Spicy oak right out of the gate, with an interesting cooling "menthol" kick.... followed by a gradual mild chest hug. Ever-so-slightly syrupy mouthfeel. Spicy oak dominates the palate. Something akin to "pepper" appears upon further sips, as the tongue acclimates to everything going on. Black licorice comes through, and something else... perhaps it's simply the oak tannins that I've tasted many times before with many a bottle that has come before this one. Finish: Medium with a lot of spicy oak, more black licorice from the palate, and tongue tingling. Final Thoughts: This is an interesting one. Not my favorite, not my least favorite. Not amazing, but not mediocre. I don't know what to make of it, other than it's a decent pour and a bit unique. This is the second Bondstone I have had. The first one (The Quad) impressed me. I'm feeling slightly ambiguous towards this one, though. Not sure why. Unfortunately, I'm reviewing a small sample bottle, and thusly can't follow up with a second pour. But suffice to say, this is good bourbon, and I will give it 3.5 stars.

Some apple, heavy oak and pepper on the nose along with a little bitter caramel. The flavor profile doesnt sit great with me. It opened up with a slight fruit note at the beginning, but dissipates quickly. Oak heavy. More on the nutry side with some burn near the end. Its a bit hotter than what the proof is. Its an okay bottle. Some of the flavors work alright together, but its pretty average.