Nose: Upon this aroma we detect lush fruits, likely from berries either black or blue, or very likely both. Subtle notes of honey and maple also fill my nose, along with dried fruits – apricot and currants. Notes of vanilla and some caramel are there and finally some brown sugar. Whoa, that’s quite a nose for a younger whiskey so this goes to show you that Lustau sherry is a wine of exceptional quality, it is no surprise that these great whiskey and wine houses wanted to collaborate. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Palate: On the palate you’ll notice some rather nice cinnamon flavors here along with woody spices that are common among bourbon & sherry cask matured marriages. It’s rather creamy and there is a nuttiness to it as well – almonds and pecans. There is a toasted quality here you pick up from the wood as well, with barley being among these flavors and some caramel along with what tastes like sweet fudge. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Finish: It carries on and on and on…light notes of banana, and soft oak thats firmly present throughout the finish. I would say that much like a sauterne wine, you don’t need to eat anything after dinner with this – this is the dessert. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ *With water* Nose: The vanilla is much stronger here, but the fruits are hidden away now. There is a sudden scent of apples, red and golden with a slight sensation of citrus on this fellow that I missed the first time around, however most of what I mentioned the first time around is still here. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Palate: More spices make their way here, along with vanilla which is stronger now. The palate feels more crisp now, with notes of pears and on the way out it seems a little more hasty to exit your palate. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Finish: Not as long with water, but it lingers on in its own way. Creme brûlée starts to appear now closing out in a very creamy finish. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Bourbon and House Rating: 93 w/ water: 89-90 _______________________________________________ www.bourbonandhouse.com