So first a disclaimer: after having reviewed multiple Balcones expressions, I feel there is a sameness between them that is higher than other distilleries. So I apologize in advance if this has similarities with some of my other Balcones reviews. Strong nose nose of burnt caramel, molasses, vanilla bean, charred mesquite, and smoked applesauce. Some pesky ethanol requires one to back off the glass a bit. I have to admit it is inviting, with more sweetness and less savory notes than found in other Balcones expressions. On the palate we have BROWN SUGAR. I mean loads of it. Some maple and cake icing as well. In the mid palate, the smokey fruit from the nose presents as more of a smoked peach, but it is hard to get past the brown sugar wallop. Finish is where the wood presence is felt (always coming off to me as more mesquite than oak), along with burnt toast, cinnamon, camphor, and liquid hot fudge. Mouthfeel is slick and oily. As you read the above you may think “sounds pretty delicious!” but this just doesn’t come together all that well; it’s like the whole is weaker than the sum of its parts. Don’t get me wrong, it’s far from terrible, and if you are a Balcones fan there is no reason not to give it a whirl. At a bargain price of $30, it’s hard to feel ripped off, but ultimately not something I’m going to seek out again.