Nose: Sweet and fruity - apples. Leads off with this excellent maple syrup and black coffee combo. There's some malt funk behind those. Vanilla, salted caramel, and oak, too. I'm reminded of rum cask finishing, though this is all in new oak. Toasted cereal grains weave through. And a little earthy character. Subtle, warm spices, largely nutmeg and allspice. The sweetness you get from super-caramelized onions, with a hint of savory character, to boot, though not in a funky way. Palate: That maple and coffe combo come through. Now more in pear territory, with some apricot coming forward. The barrel influence is also present, with vanilla, caramel, and a touch of charred oak poking through. Honey nut cheerios, raisins, currants. Nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon come and go. White grape juice. This sits largely on the mid palate. Well balanced, though leaning into the midrange. Lighter mouthfeel, though that complements the friendly character of that's in the glass. Finish: Slightly vegetal and herbal to start. Chocolate, leather, and char sneak in. Dried fruits slowly come forward, and there's the coffee/maple character again. Malt funk and black tea get revealed and things just sort of hang out from there. Medium long finish - it does taper down relatively quickly, but then hangs out for quite a while. Other notes: I'm hoping to lean more into "new to me" bottles in 2021 - I want to explore and broaden my palate (and cabinet!). Through last year's advent, I discovered an appreciation for things outside of Islay, bourbon, and high proof, so I'm lookign for things that are more restrained, sublte, nuanced, or simply different. And this absolutely fits the bill - It's not big and bold, but still contains some solid complexity and nuance. This sits squarely in the midrange of intensity, while still offering plenty to explore. Highly approachable, very sippable, and ultimately not boring. This may not join the "need to have one at all times" club, but I could easily find myself grabbing a bottle on the way to a friend's place to share. Cheers!