The color is a very rich and deep amber, leaving behind a heavy ring of oil and a healthy veil of it. The nose greets you with toasted oak, caramelized green apples, vanilla and hints of marshmallow and raw peanut.
The palate and dry and rich and fills the mouth to the corners with a strong burst of pepper and baking that lights up the mouth as toasted oak and apple swirls around the mouth. It’s not too sweet, just enough to savor and enjoy. Vanilla and marshmallow softness are there after the spice subsides. As it breathes, the oak becomes more dominant as the spiciness subsides, which also allows the fruitiness to mix in a bit more.
The finish is medium long with a spiciness on the front of tongue that keeps the mouth tingling as toasted oak slowly fades side by side with soft apple and vanilla sweetness.
Adding some sweetness leads to a burst of cream on the nose and the palate, leading to a more rich and creamy whiskey.
This is a very multidimensional that go in many different directions depending on your preference for how you like to drink it. Has the William Larue Weller hallmarks, maybe not as much as previous releases, but still a remarkable whiskey.