Four Roses Marriage 2008

The color is a glowing golden color, lighter than what you would imagine for part of this bourbon being 13 years old. It doesn’t hesitate with each swirl to be generous on how much oil it coats the glass in with heavy legs that run down. The nose starts off with cinnamon, black pepper, oak and a touch of sweet molasses. More baking spices such as nutmeg and clove comes out mixed nicely with vanilla with each smell. As it breathes, there is a slight bit of brown sugar and orange oil that comes out. The palate starts with a mouth full of dry oak, baking spices and the vanilla, which tastes a little more cooked than it smells, each perfectly balanced with each other. The spice subsides as you sip on it, leaving you with generous spice, more cinnamon and clove than anything, with some spicy oak and hints of rye. The finish is medium with oaky vanilla that stays in the mouth around mid palate, not quite reaching the corners of the mouth but still very pleasant. The spice takes its time to fade, making for a very enjoyable sipper. The only complaint is that the spice tends to be all you think of as you sip it, overshadowing the rest of its flavors. The aftersniffs are a juxtaposition of sharp Kraft macaroni and cheese mixed with hints of VO5 Max Hold Hairspray.