Little Book Chapter 2: Noe Simple Task

Procured Dec 18, for 85USD and I call that a bargain. I put The Easy up against George T Stagg (2017) and found it could go toe to toe, now let's see what Noe Simple Task is made of-- opened in Dec 18 and sitting minus a shot for over 6 months now. Nose: Spiced rum cake yes, sweet caramel toffee(werthers), some dark, tart jams, currant maybe. The rye spice is a secondary hint with the alcohol, both being barely noticeable. This is one tempting nose and certainly a great start. I get no barrel wood, nibs or bitters, whatever the 40 year juice is contributing it certainly doesn't register as a standard northern whiskey. Perhaps The Enigma would have been another good name for this one. Front: There's that canadian hooch, and there's the high proof heat with it, the dark and low fruit from well aged juice is apparent, as is the nice corn-rye blend but also a rich and spicey combo of really good rye spices and fruit sugars. I can see why this throws off some tasters as an unusual juxtaposition of flavors, it is a fairly unusual profile but also a delicious and richly satisfying treat. Finish: some small salted nibs but mostly sweet leftovers of caramel and fruit, no real changeup to the profile on the backside while it tapers down easy. This is another really smooth high proofer that shows the care and craftsmanship from the best of the best of Master Distillers. On repeated tastes the rich corn bourbon sugars step up and dark fruit sweetness keep pace with all that rye spice, this is actually much better balanced than I had initially thought on first appearance and tryout. The first sample from months ago clearly needed some opening up and patience is a virtue for those who acquire this bottle. My initial thought was this was a bit of a disappointment as a follow up to The Easy, after all you don't see a bottle that can stand up to the best of the G.T. Stagg offerings every day, but this is clearly another huge power player in the best of custom crafted whiskeys. Another thumbs up for Booker's kid.

Great birthday treat. Hot but balance well with great toffee- Carmel notes and smooth for the proof

Not too much rye but enough to keep things interesting! Sweet and complex, a great dram. By far the best whiskey I’ve had to date, the blend here is amazing! Well done!

A very enjoyable whiskey.... kinda seems a bit all over the place but unique. -Cheers

the proof unfortunately makes it difficult for the sweetness of the canadian blend to shine, but that's easily taken care by a big ice cube. once the ice is applied, the true flavors shine making this very enjoyable.

Last taste of my bottle. The most interesting blended whiskey I’ve had. Vanilla and clove in the nose, in taste, some leather, currant, plantain chips. Lingering dry cinnamon finish. I agree with others that flavors don’t entirely come together, but fun bottle.