ECBP A120
Neat // Glencairn // Tasted Blind
Nose: Sticky caramel, tart green apple and barrel spices, cinnamon and nutmeg, are really showcased, along with dry oak.
Palate: Holy cow. I can only describe this as a tidal wave of caramel and barrel spice (cinnamon, nutmeg), then sweet oak, cinnamon candy, and cayenne pepper.
Finish: The long finish starts with sparkling apple cider and cinnamon candy, then cayenne pepper and sweet, dry oak. I also pick up a mostly-dry-but-still-somewhat-chewy apple chip here as well.
This bottle has achieved greatness. It’s overwhelming without being overbearing, which is what I think ECBP should be - pedal to the metal flavor, like bourbon turned up to 11.
92/100
My scoring system:
59 and below: Bad. Not worth buying.
60 - 69: Decent, but with obvious flaws. Might buy, but very price dependent.
70 - 79: Pleasant to good, worth buying, but nothing spectacular that wows me.
80 - 89: Good to very good. Insta-buys that I actively seek out. Must contain some “wow” moments.
90 - 94: Greatness has been achieved. No detectable flaws, and every moment is sheer pleasure.
95 - 100: This is where I score my “best of all time” drams. Similar to lower 90s, but with something tangible/perceptible that sends it over the top.