Review #046 Type: American single malt Proof: 43% Comments: distilled from unhopped stout, aged a minimum of two months, matured in heavily charred American white oak casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Chestnut color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 15/20 Cinnamon, coffee grounds, butterscotch, and overripe bananas. This honestly reminds me a bit of a Guinness, or rather what a Guinness would be with some additional heat and depth. Palate: 30/40 Vanilla, dark chocolate, and spicy oak tannins stand out most. I also get some molasses and coconut after letting it rest for a little bit. It’s very smooth on the palate, almost too smooth and a bit dull. Finish: 34/40 Big stout flavor front and center, here is where the flavor pops and this spirit really shines! Finish is medium-long, which for some reason surprised me. Slowly this transitions to bitter baking cocoa and a hint of chili peppers before becoming ashy and salty. Really nice. With Water: On the nose I’m now getting crips green pear and… watermelon rinds? It’s a uniquely sweet and also bitter aroma that wasn’t there before. The palate is unchanged but there’s some additional chili pepper heat in the finish. Total: 79/100 Final thoughts: Overall this is a solid whisky. I can’t get over how much the finish reminds me of having just swallowed a sip of a barrel-aged stout. I’ll attribute that to not enough time in the cask to get a proper amount of wood influence. It’s an enjoyable and easy sipper, but lacks complexity. It’s not something I’d seek out but I definitely know folks who’d be very happy with this spirit. Ultimately I’m very grateful to my friend Chris who got me this bottle, and grateful for the opportunity to open and share the first couple pours with him. Price: gift Would recommend: maybe Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.