Watershed Barrel Strength Bourbon Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels (Batch 002)

The color is magnificent, deep rich copper. Nose: Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, honeysuckle, toffee, & Red Delicious apples Palate: The 5 grain mashbill kicks in the door at first as it is a bowl of fancy oatmeal. That oatmeal sticks around but thankfully apples, peanuts, caramels, and honey show up late to the party. The sharpness of the barrel proof is upfront and just tingles throughout the sip. Finish: This whiskey shines here. It has a wonderful mouthfeel that hangs out. Apple skins, caramel, baking spice, and the graininess doesn’t show up anymore. Upfront this whiskey isn’t ideal for my taste. Dusty grains dominate but if you swish it around and let it linger it is an interesting and tasty pour.

Off the neck, it’s thick, present, and woody. Tastes like the smell of an apple orchard in fall, which is probably the most obscure statement I’ve ever made. It’s good. $90 good? Not sure. But I don’t regret trying it.