Noble Oak Double Oak Bourbon

Golden yellow color. The legs are thick and oily. Has a pleasant creamy feel. The first aroma I get is nuttiness: almonds and peanut dust. There is tiny little bite in some oak and some white pepper. This is softened up by gooey molasses, toffee, honey and sweet corn syrup. There is an interesting, unexpected note of red berry on the nose, like the dried strawberries you'd find in a box of corn flakes. The taste is first cherry juice that you'd find in a jar of grocery store cherries. Some spicy cinnamon quickly follows. Orange rind spice and peanuts. There is more of that sweet, dried berry flavor that just elevates and balances the rest of the the spices. The finish gives me a lot of tannins: metallic, pennies, batteries and other things that make the tongue absorb a bit of electricity. Some old oak and leather. Apple skins, sherry, and pepper round out the final swallow. I was expecting Noble Oak to be a little sweeter and a little "smoother" in the palate, if not the burn. Putting it up against Woodford Double Oaked is a fool's errand, in retrospect. Still, despite it's lack of buttery-ness, it's still a damn fine dram in its own right.

Very enjoyable. Sip, sooth, enjoy the finish along with some Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Sherry on the nose. Taste charred wood and a good bit of caramel. A little harsh and lingering after taste.