Hooten Young 12 Year American Whiskey (Batch No. 1)

One of the most interesting whiskies I've sipped. Nose has strong vanilla notes, initially presenting as a bourbon. Give it a few more whiffs and you'll smell some apples and pears, more like a sherry-aged single malt...which is exactly what you get on the palate. There is a bit of that syrupy bourbon flavor with lots of baking spices at first, but those fade quickly in favor of pears, apple pie, sherry, and butterscotch. Finish doesn't change much from the palate but it lingers a while and is pleasant. Its sophisticated and subtle. Do NOT go into it expecting a bourbon, because it isn't, or expecting an intense barrel-proof palate bomb, because it isn't that either. But as someone who loves both bourbon and scotch, this is an intriguing blend of key characteristics of each - and makes for a very pleasant sip too. Well done.

Smooth, little Burn for such a high proof- reminds me of a midprice suntory toki

Very sweet and smooth, definitely what I was expecting with a mash bill of 99% corn, and 1% barley. Candied nuts, corn and ripe fruit when it first hits the palate, baking spice, and cinnamon on the way down. Very minimal heat.

Not bad for a higher proof. Good Kentucky chewer to get all the taste

Eye: very light hue pushing to the yellow and orange side. Nose: vanilla, salted peanut on the nose. Palette: vanilla, brown sugar and honey with a peanut butter cookie finish. Little bite that is short and midway through. Very light on the tongue and far less thick than I expected for a 12 year. There is a dryness to the finish that feels like biting into an apple.