George Dickel 17 Year Reserve Cask Strength

NOSE Oak, dried dark fruit, leather, dried corn, citrus peels, baking spice, vanilla fondant, slight yeastiness. Dark and heavy, it rolls through the sinuses igniting interest with every shift in the profile. PALATE Oak, dried dark fruit, vanilla, sour cherry candy, leather, dried corn, citrus peels, baking spice, slight yeastiness. Equally heavy and bright, this complex delivery is a joy to taste. FINISH Long -> Oak, dried corn, dried dark fruit, leather, spice.

The nose presents charred oak, raisin, plum and dried cherry, as well as a touch of black tea and cinnamon. The palate revs up the oak with dark burnt wood and a hint of smoke. A lot of tannins tend to dominate, but in spite of this, there is a nutty and fruity sweetness akin to praline, cinnamon apple tart and dried bing cherry. The finish is medium-long with lasting notes of old leather, pinewood and a hint of maple sugar. Overall, this is a well balanced, chewy and evocative 17 year old, that will be especially pleasing to those who appreciate the woodcraft of barrel blending.

You can really feel the age and quality from the first pour and sip. Nose is like many other lesser Dickel bottles but complex flavors make for a stimulating dram beginning to end. Not sure I can recommend at 250 a bottle when there are other great complex bourbons in $50-100 range I like just as much but I highly recommend tasting this if you get a chance