I walked into my local liquor store for a simple peruse with no (real) expectations of a purchase. Of course I couldn’t resist purchasing this new bottle. It was OESK or OBSF. It could only be one. I will have to circle back for the other at another time. But this purchase is OESK. N: A fragrant opening. Halloween tricks and treats in a glass. Candy Corn, Hershey milk chocolate, caramel apples, waxy Nik L Nips. There is a bit of earthiness that grounds the sweet treats. Straw grass, petrichor and ginger root. P: Unlike the sweet nose, on the draw, the palate begins to tingle with pins and needles. When the zings subsides, baking spices, well balanced, of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg mixed with orange zest, caramel, vanilla sweet cream. Given time, the dram becomes sweeter and softer while the body remains medium dense and viscous. F: A soft, woody finish with a touch milk chocolate, Irish tea, toasted coconut and a dusting of cinnamon spice. The melange finish sticks around and caps the crescendo of aromas and flavors. O: As with any (good) spirit, time is the friend. This OESK blend, on the palate, starts slightly coarse and spicy. As time progresses, the bouncing, chaotic qualities begin to align and the spirit finds itself and becomes a refined, balanced, easy sipper. From the opening to the finish, an enjoyable ride. [$50][88/100][Tasted: 4/11/25]