Long awaited for a Kentucky boy... supposedly has been available at the distillery in Loretto for a month or so but this one showed up on a local shelf and promptly followed me home. Warm, amber color in a glencarin. The nose is rich and sweet with maple, butterscotch, orange peel, tobacco and toasted oak. There’s really not a hint of alcohol. Here goes... spice forward! Cinnamon and the sensation of licking pop rocks. It’s not a smooth wheater by any means. The second sip is of course smoother with more vanilla, butterscotch and oak coming through with hints of allspice before a short dry finish. Overall really pleasant. Sitting here moments afterword I peel like I’ve licked a cedar plank. There’s still a bit of tingle going on between the tongue and roof of my mouth and a maple sweetness from the throat and back if my nose. This is one I will have to put head to head with cask strength makers, which I recall having a much thicker mouth feel and more caramel sweetness. This may be a bit more balanced, and I really don’t want a higher proof out of it. There’s never an ethanol aroma but the chest certainly feels the proof. In summary - like eating maple pecan pancakes at a fall bonfire as the leaves crackle under foot of those running about. Happy Autumn bourbon fans. ———— Fast forward one year. The tree canopies are hues of red, gold and the last flash of green. This bottle is a vanilla and maple syrup bomb on the nose. Legs fall and arrest before Milk chocolate, cinnamon and oak waft from the glass. Ethanol is there to remind you to be cautious. Thin on entry. Cedar, vanilla, nutmeg and a milk chocolate and oak finish. A subtle, warm hug. It’s fall once again.