Ezra Brooks Distiller's Collection Bourbon

Initial neck pour: nose of intense oak, walnuts and pecans. Letting aerate brings out the sweetness. Palate of oak, sweet cream, a little brown sugar leading to a finish of hot cinnamon and more oak with a nutty ending. 113 proof. A few drops of water sweetens the overall feel, yet brings out more wood.

Visitors Center pick: caramel, apple, spice

Barrel No. 1216, Barrelled 3/5/18 Color: Medium Amber Nose: Burnt caramel, cinnamon, molasses, oak. Palate: Initial full frontal spice assault, followed by a nice warm hug. Some sweetness but the spiciness really steals the show. A little heat. Nice tongue coating, but nothing too "oily" or thick. The above was written upon my first pour. The second pour revealed more sweetness than the first. Still spicy as all get out, but more evenly distributed between "spicy" and "sweet". Since I bought this bottle at Total Wine and More in Connecticut, and I live in California, I won't be able to revisit this particular batch. I think there are some bottles remaining at the BevMo here in town. I am curious to try it. Stay tuned.... Added 6/30/23: This is definitely one of those bottles that evolves over time. The original all-out spice assault was nowhere be found this time 'round. Still a very good pour. Not a stand-out, but very good everyday sipper nonetheless. Bottle kill pour 7/3/23: The warm chest hug is still making its presence known. I will say that this drinks a tiny bit hotter than its 107 proof. Sweetness and spiciness remains consistent with all previous pours. Oak tannins for miles.

chocolate notes. tastes a bit like beer but the bouron was finished in a barrel used to distill beer, so it makes sense. It's a nice one sipper, but after that it kind of loses its charm.