Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon

Little alcoholic, but good. Almost licorice taste.

Tasting a single barrel Pick from Total Wine: warehouse B, floor 4. I thought this was just ok from the neck pour. Mostly cherry, oak with an strong ethanol burn. After a couple weeks, this has opened up nicely. The cherry is tamed in the nose and you got more rye spice, orange marmalade, ripe berries, and honey. The taste is cherry pie, cinnamon, vanilla, with a long toasty oak finish. Dang this is good stuff. The high proof is deceptive as this drinks easy. You do get a warm ethanol hug from this.

Little vanilla, sweet, spicy, little nuts

This batch is weird. Chocolate is up front and has a punch. I’m not a big fan of chocolate but the smokey spice comes in and became more enjoyable.