Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bourbon

The nose is sharper than expected, punchy with a bit of a rum like hogo to it, and slightly herbal. After it breathes and settles down a bit, the sweetness develops with notes of maple candy, caramel corn, sweet white peach, some apple, sweet cherry, vanilla frosting, and finally butterscotch pudding. The taste is rich and slightly buttery, with loads of brown sugar, baking spices, and fruit, both sharp citrus notes and sweet fragrant ones like apple and pear, plus some toasted oak. Hot in the back of the throat, like cinnamon Red Hots candy, but like grenadine on the tip of the tongue. The body is full, fluffy, and fantastic. In the glass, a swirl brings about a perfect ring that seems to remain suspended forever before finally developing into a multitude of tiny pearls that slowly condense and uniformly drip downward. The finish is pleasant and mild, yet staying. There’s a subtle lingering brown sugar sweetness, a touch of suede, raisins, a hint of mint, vanilla, dried apricot, and nutty oak. Nose: 9 Taste: 10 Body: 10 Finish: 9

Chocolate, spice, slight toffee