Traverse City Whiskey Co. XXX Straight Bourbon

I enjoyed a dram of this years ago in Phoenix on a sweltering summer night (100 degrees plus), and then saw it on a menu down here in Miami again last weekend. I recalled liking it, so ordered it again. I was happy to find that I continued to enjoy this bourbon, and would place it in the top half of independent bourbons that I've experienced. Its main downside is that it doesn't have the intense punch of flavor that I really look for in a bourbon and has a slightly watery texture that's characteristic of independent brands, which simply cannot afford to age their products as much as the established big-name distilleries. That being said, the four years that this bourbon spent in the barrel has already resulted in a healthy amount of development. The nose features a lot of rye spice, vanilla, corn, and a putty-like smell, which is unusual but not off-putting (as an Islay scotch fan, it may even have enhanced the experience for me). The palate contains a strong orange note, more rye spice, and honey. The short finish is dominated again by the rye and a sweet-and-sour bite that is characteristic of young bourbons.