Herman Marshall Texas Bourbon

Color: Amber with orange csst Aroma: Mild Apricot, Peach Taste: Fruit, Apricot, Honey Finish: Ligt Oak

My first trip to Texas was Dallas. Aside from pursuing the best BBQ I could find, I made sure to bring home a bottle of Herman Marshall Small Batch Texas Bourbon Whiskey (Batch 16-1). Herman Marshall is Dallas County's first distillery since prohibition, hand-crafting whiskey in new white oak barrels. The nose is unexpectedly bright - apricots, grapes, mulled citrus and very light woodshavings. With time, I can smell a light leather influence and deeper caramelization, which paints an appropriate Texas-inspired Western image in my head. I can picture a cowboy sidling into a saloon with worn leather boots, kicking up the dust and wood remnants on the floor with every step. The body is luxuriously oily and it then stings the tip of my tongue within 5 seconds of sipping. It provides a balanced flavour combination leading with sweet honey and orange followed by saltiness and a subtle sourness. The last savoury note barely reaches the back of my throat as it finishes in the chest, rather than the stomach. Subdued apricot and tannic oak linger as I enjoy the indefinite warmth like wrapping a scarf around my neck and shoulders. The finish is very lightly drying on the tongue and lasts until whenever I choose to take my next sip. I'm pleasantly surprised by this one. I'd be happy to pour this when an American whiskey craving arrives when I don't need my hair blown back by a loud ABV. If you're craving aggressive spice, this bottle may not be for you, but I appreciate how this amber (and almost orange tinted) pour compliments the American whiskey landscape. 7.5/10

A little disappointing. Fine though

Vanilla, cinnamon, spice