Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon

A spicy sweet almost perfume like fragrance hits you at first nosing. There are equal parts creamy vanilla and potpourri, comprised of dried rose petals, herbs, cloves, coniferous woods, and citrus peel. The sweetness in the nose lies somewhere between maple syrup and bread and butter pickles. Towards the end, date-nut bread and tobacco appear. Fairly hot and sour on the tongue initially, it becomes sweet, spicy, and fruity once swallowed. The taste is a bit like old-timey cherry cough drops that came wrapped in parchment paper with that powder on them. I get some bitter oak, arugula, cinnamon, and some Dr. Pepper soda syrup. In the glass it’s syrupy but thin and quick to form widely spaced legs that eventually recede to shape heavy udders. Medium-full bodied and somewhat fluffy in the mouth. The long finish is sweet and sour, with more cherry, a bit of red apple skin, oak chips, dried dates, some nicotine, and walnuts. Adding a little water or ice doesn’t seem to make much of a difference. Nose: 9 Taste: 9 Body: 8 Finish: 8

Fire-charred, new American white oak barrels