New Riff 4 Year Single Barrel Bourbon

Warm, carmel, spice

Apple, cinnamon, oak, char, caramel,

This bottle has been quietly waiting for a while in my liquor closet, a gift from a friend. Finally broke it out and found it to make absolutely smashing Old Fashioned with turbinado simple and Angostura. I'm on my last dram and thought it might be good to get my impressions down. On the nose this hits rich, oaky, with lot's of wood sugars. It smells like I remember my grandpa's wood shop smelling when he was finishing a piece of furniture. On the palate this is a wonderful combination of oily sweetness and black pepper. The balance is near perfect, the flavor rich without tasting of ethanol. It's strong and the finish is sweet, moderately long and extends well into the throat. I get a lot of figs, brown sugar, cinnamon, black pepper, some ginger. This reminds me of Old Forester 1910, but maybe better? I'd love to sbs them... Certainly this is hotter at 105.8 proof and more forward, but both share that thick, rich and sweet supporting structure. This is a very good bourbon. As with all Single Barrels, the trick is getting another one. One thing is sure and that is that I'll be getting another bottle (or several) of New Riff expressions!