A wheated whiskey from Texas that carries that Texan muscle. A sample pour on a quiet evening. N: A surprisingly lightweight nose. Though it packs some strength, the typical ethanol fumes are muted. Take some smoked cherries, place them in a damp walnut or mahogany bowl. Add some dark cocoa powder and a bit of vanilla extract. After 15 minutes or more, the brown sugar sweetness becomes more prevalent. P: Once again, the strength is not apparent. The tongue is anesthetized, only for an instant. Once that fades, wooden notes dominate. Black pepper, chocolate, vanilla, dark roast coffee and black cherry all blend into a menagerie of the flavors. All bold but balanced. W: A fair dose of water has minimal effect to the flavor profile. This of course just takes the edginess down a bit. F: The palate is left full of oak wood with a hint of vanilla and spearmint which is unexpectedly short. O: A delicious and delightful pour. The potency is always welcomed and the wood-forward profile is refreshing and not overt. If there is a deficiency in this whiskey, it’s the sparse finish. Thanks again @pbmichiganwolverine for this sample from smiling ago. [90/100][Tasted: 6/26/26]