High West American Prairie Bourbon Barrel Select

Neat. Sample. Finished 1.5 years in Armagnac barrels. Honestly I never heard of Armagnac before 2020 and now I can’t escape it! Bardstown blew my mind a month ago and now I find Armagnac finishes in other brands. This is so rich and dense on the nose. A deep, heavy glaze like a reduction or even and ice wine. The Armagnac influence is so strong and in your face. Equally amazing and off putting in a strange way. Next to the glaze is this heavy plum from the finish. As you dig, the familiar caramels and even butterscotch emerge with an enticing sweetness. Texture is rich and oily just as the nose eluded. It’s heavy and dark on the tongue with a sweet stone fruit. Oh but it brightens up in a hurry and really packs a punch. Orange peel sourness transitions to vanilla and caramels. But the caramels accelerate into rock candy sweetness. A surprising amount of oak remains on the legs. Couples with cherry cola. I’m all over the place on this one. Ran out of the sample trying to pick apart this ride. Really like Armagnac finishes. I’d buy this one if I ever found it.

This was awesome. Picked this up at Bern’s in Tampa. Buttery finish. So good.

First pour has wheat notes and almost peaty after taste and nose. Smooth and balanced. Hard to consider as a true bourbon. Lighter tone and not quite caramel color. Leaves a sweet and sugary feel after a good sip

Sweet and drinkable