Visual: Medium amber/brown in the glass, with moderate legs on swirling. Nose: Big vanilla and oak at first. Later comes dark chocolate cherry cordials and a faint wisp of cotton candy sweetness, like catching a whiff of it on the breeze in passing at an amusement park. Of all the aromas, though, oak is the most prominent. Palate: Decently substantial mouthfeel, but not as velvety as some. Sweet at the onset, with vanilla and baking spices (cinnamon and clove). Some prominent oak mid-palate, but not much more develops. Quite hot. If I were tasting blind, I would swear it was over 50% ABV. At 47%, it’s expected to be stout, but is still hotter than I would have expected. Finish: The medium finish is warm and full of oak, with a tannin bitterness and hints of candied citrus. My overall impression is that the nose is just okay, along with the finish. The palate is not very complex, and a bit on the hot side, making the overall experience a bit hollow. It is an oaky one-trick pony. I’ll have to try it on the rocks or with a mixer to get through the bottle. From reviews I’ve read, I expected more. Fortunately, it isn’t expensive. I would give it 2-1/2 stars, but given the unavailability of halves, I will kindly give it a 3. Reviewed Batch 17C14.