Horse Soldier Reserve Barrel Strength Bourbon

What better bourbon to sip on Memorial Day. Thought I would give this another try and it’s actually better than I remembered. Has what I call the “tobacco finish” (similar to Widow Jane), but seems to be less pronounced than I recall. Neat pour this go around so that probably made it more enjoyable.

Abundant chocolate, cherries and vanilla. Sweet and creamy like Cherry Bordeaux ice cream. Next wave comes with a heavy yet smooth dose of spicy oak. The tannins and barrel spices are most prevalent on the mid-palate. Runs hot on the finish with a subtle burnt sugar quality. Not overly complex but what it does, it does well.

Drinks much lighter than the ABV. Brown sugar and maple on the nose. Deep caramel sweetness body. Some woody and nuttiness comes out to make for a long, intense finish. I typically go neat. A think this benefits from ONE ice cube.