Grangestone’s rum cask finish, a combination of American oak casked with a rum cask finish, which makes for a bright honey colored juice with a noticeable aroma. The nose—is an inviting aroma of sweet sugary tones of rum that develops into an earthy oaky aroma shrouded by a heavy influence of malt; subtle notes of caramelized sugar peek through with hints of spice. The malt is noticeable and interrupts what would be a delightful inviting aroma, while the smell of malt isn’t bad persay, it is most noticeable. The taste—fairly heavy malt with a dry spice finish, the inclusion of any fruit or sweet notes of sugar or rum influence are fleeting to borderline unnoticeable. The strong presence of ethanol is present and can hi-jack what would mimic some sherried inspired juice—instead it’s entirely missed with a bomb of heavy spice limited oak, sugar, and practically void of much else. It’s hard to be disappointed in something so friendly in price but with an expectation of a rum influenced that opportunity is missed by overpowering notes of oak, malt and spice. While inexpensive, it doesn’t live up to the small investment, and probably wouldn’t be worth a revisit—what’s not bad is the juice; it’s drinkable but is just not better than other offerings at this price under the same product label. Next. —the scotch guy