Neat. Neck pour. Release 21-006. Sucker for finished MGP, so here we are. At $65, it was worth a gamble for the Sherry and Cognac combo. That price point typically means 4 to 5 year old MGP though, which can be hit and miss. No age statement on this. On the nose, I would say this has quite a bit of four year MGP in the batch. The finishing is hiding the bite but not the grain. I think the youth / finishing combo also gave this MGP a nutty undertone which is atypical for MGP. I am getting this white chocolate too, so combined with that nutty note is like a white chocolate peanut butter cup. Very buttery with a bit of dark honey. Hint of graham cracker. Blast of cherry preserves. This is a fun one to break down. It has layers. Mouthfeel is light and fluffy, oily too. Holds up despite the lower proof. Immediately the finish shines through from the moment it hits the tongue. Sweet preserves, swaying towards strawberry now. Bright vanilla. Brown sugar. Mid palate is this cool blast of grape soda mixed with dark honey. Graham cracker emerges there too. For the most part, there is no break or transition between mid palate into the finish. Those same flavors just carry through. There is a moment when you think the finish will die but it comes roaring back (same flavors as before though). This is a nice, fun easy sipper. The finishing elevated this young leaning MGP and pretty much dominates the experience. The flavors are driven by the finish but the MGP still does well brining that honey into the mix. I need to compare this to Joseph Magnus. Top of mind the Magnus would be superior (though $20 more). You never feel the youth on Magnus like you do here. With that said, I really enjoy the flavors from the finishing here. I feel like those are more subdued on the Magnus despite Magnus being 100 proof. I’d be tempted to get another one, especially if the blends are comprised of more 6 to 8 year on average.