W.B. Saffell Kentucky Straight Bourbon

I’ve heard good things about this, so I eventually coughed up $50 for a 375ml bottle. Let’s see how it is. This is Batch 1 On the nose I get a subtle red apple note with maple brown sugar and oak char. Vanilla, rye, some baking spices and a little bit of saw dust complete the image. The palate has a nice thick mouthfeel. Its really not too sweet, just a the right amount of sweetness. I get a decent amount of rye, vanilla and some corn, as well as some cinnamon and dusty barn. The finish is nice and long. A slow little burn down the throat with lingering dusty rye and a little bit of vanilla. I like this. I can definitely see how this is a Wild Turkey product. I even poured a little WT 101 to compare. WB Saffell was more interesting and satisfying to sip (thicker and denser flavors). But WT 101 was no slouch.

Batch 1.

Batch 1 limited run sour mash whisky sitting at a nice 107 proof. N: Maple syrup immediately with walnut and a floral note (geranium?). Hints of mint and lemon zest show up afterwards. Once it's had room to breathe, it starts to smell like a pecan pie with caramel drizzle and a dusting of cinnamon...and occasional hints of rye and corn. P: Initial hit of rye grain fades quickly into a nutty walnut mid-palate with some heat. This eventually turns into a sweet, then bitter, campfire wood (not smokey, just earthy) F: Earthy, alternating sweet and bitter, raw cocoa. Honestly this is one of the best pours I've had in a while. The profile here isn't usually my thing, but it's very well executed and at this high proof it plays perfectly. Definitely proofed to taste. More cinnamon on second nosing

Nose: oak, baking spice apple, honey Taste: creamy, oily, caramel