Stranahan's Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt

Hints of oak and vanilla on the nares while burning my nose hairs. Hot finish, hard to get a lot of flavor due to the heat however, upon an ice cube- decrease heat and notes of vanilla, tobacco, and oak

Daveco select barrel, 113 proof. Viscous, cinnamon and cracker nose, sweet brown sugar that fades to a more bitter and herbal profile. Slight vanilla, dry oak, a candy flavor finish

Barrel 16-1565, 116.26 proof. Nose: Sweet, malt, strawberries, honey, caramel, vanilla, baking spices and a hint of banana and apple cider. Palate: Viscous, oily, sweet, dried fruits, spices, more honey, caramel and vanilla. Finish: Long, a little spicy, slightly bitter.

Total Wine pick Gilbert AZ, 116.68 proof. Delectable nose of banana bread, mango, custard, drawn butter, apple, almond, and orange slice candy. Kind of a mossy note underneath which becomes more prevalent as it sits in the glass but is not unwelcome. Amazingly low ethanol for nearly 120 proof. Palate is rich and punchy with orange marmalade, vanilla cream, strawberry jam, honey, and cereal grains (oats). Flavors hit the mid part of the tongue and entrench themselves there. Finish does take a rather sharp turn into cinnamon, pepper, and baking spice territory, ending with a oaky, buttery dryness similar to a Chardonnay. Medium length. Quite frankly I’m not sure if the finish matches the palate well; if doesn’t so much develop as it takes a huge left turn. Mouthfeel is grippy and resinous. Big plus. Overall a really solid product that has me a bit enchanted due to its uniqueness. It’s not perfect by any means but if you like bright, fruity whiskies, this could be for you. Plenty of other single barrel store picks of this in my area so I will happily shell out $59 to try another pick. Solidly in the rebuy zone.

Barrel 17-0896, Total Wine, $80 in WA. Nose of vanilla. Initial taste is sweet. The main flavor is complex enough I don’t have the skill to break it down as x% this and y% that. But that’s good; I like a complex opera than a solo note. It is flavorful but smooth. There is no astringency or bite like typical of 116 proof (even with a dash of water ). I’d buy this again.