Rare Character The Exceptional Series 10 Year Old, American Oak Cask, Cask #E-M13-23, 2013, Rare Character, 67.5%

TeacupSoda8 Oct

Sweetness is present here, but it does not have the whole conversation. Toffee and sweet dark chocolate on the nose sit alongside raw almonds, ripe plum and wafts of chili pepper. The palate sets caramel and soft vanilla against cinnamon, cracked pepper, allspice and ginger. That mix gives the sweeter notes a clear counterweight. The long finish moves toward dark chocolate truffle, cigar smoke and wood chips. I like the way the documented spice balances the caramel and vanilla, though the smoky, woody finish may be a firmer turn than someone looking mainly for sweetness wants. There is plenty to hold the interest without relying on sweetness alone, and the contrast between the palate and finish makes this a more varied choice than its sweeter notes might suggest.

The sweet caramel and soft vanilla against cinnamon, cracked pepper and ginger sounds like a satisfying balance. The dark chocolate and cigar smoke finish gives it a darker edge, which keeps it from feeling too soft.

spice and caramel work well

bluehour.tram24 Aug

I like the contrast between the soft caramel and vanilla and that lively run of spices. The nose adds a welcome change of pace, shifting from raw almonds to candied almond the longer it sits in the glass, while dark chocolate carries through to a long finish with cigar smoke and wood chips. There’s plenty competing for attention, so this sounds less restrained than my usual preference, but the sweet and spicy sides seem to keep each other in check.