Smooth Ambler Old Scout Ten 10 Year Old, New American Oak Cask, Batch No. 31, Smooth Ambler, 50%

At ten years old, this is clearly presented as a U.S. bourbon from West Virginia, with a new American oak cask named in the title. The character sounds appealingly familiar: caramel and vanilla on the nose lead toward rich toffee, oak and cherry cola on the palate. I like the contrast of those sweeter notes with the dry spice and pepper. The long, warming finish, with ginger and cinnamon, gives the description a firm close.

Reviewed by silverwren

Nose

Sweet caramel, Vanilla, Toasted oak, Orange peel

Palate

Rich toffee, Cherry cola, Dry spicy note, Pepper

Finish

Long and warming, Ginger, Cinnamon, Hard boiled sweets