I started this on the previous Saturday afternoon in the Catskills. A no agenda day continuing with a bourbon weekend. Foo Fighters in the background. Just laughs, food, drink and fun. But either I needed to concentrate more as I couldn’t discern or identify the aromas and flavors accurately or a week of oxidation was needed to draw or strengthen the characteristics of the bourbon. Bottle-Batch 18-32 which is a reddish amber. Similar in color to birch beer. The initial alcohol fumes are quite potent and need time to dissipate. Oaken brown sugar sweetness, charred marshmallows, Karo corn syrup and leather. There is a sweetness of vanilla cream with maraschino cherries and cola. A cinnamon and rye spiciness counters the sweetness. All of these collective aromas are somewhat subdued and light. On a medium light body comes, initially, a soft vanilla sweetness that fades into a peppery, tingly cinnamon and wood spice. Butterscotch, oak, cola, sweetness all fairly sweetly balanced. A bit of water softens the nose and, obviously, dilutes the bourbon. Water, strips some character. The finish is medium long and dry. Tangerine or orange bitters with charred oak and all warms the soul. I was expecting more on the initial tasting. More richness, more depth, more flavors. Nicely backed by 50% ABV but sips like it’s 43%. However, a good dose of aeration and time improves the dram as this is what it needs to broaden and concentrate and define itself. A quality nose which lacks a broader palate. A decent bourbon overall. It’s brethren, Noah’s Mill, is what this aspires to be. This is a good everyday sipper at an affordable price. [$38][87/100][Tasted: 2/17/19; 2/22/19]