Thirteenth Colony 113 Bourbon, Maple Wood Spiral Finish, 2025, 56.5%

The sweetness does plenty of work here, but it doesn't have the whole conversation to itself. Assertive maple, sugar and dark chocolate give the palate a rich centre, while cinnamon offers a clear bit of spice alongside them. That contrast appeals to me: the cinnamon gives the maple another angle without taking over. Cherry and caramel on the nose sit alongside smoky oak, so there's some contrast before the palate as well. The finish brings toasted maple and oak together with bittersweet chocolate and warm spice. It's a fairly full combination, and the shift from cinnamon to the broader spice of the finish is what keeps it interesting for me. Anyone who enjoys a pronounced maple note may find plenty to like in that balance.

Reviewed by busstoprambler

Nose

smoky oak, maple wood, cherry, caramel

Palate

moderately thick, assertive maple, dark chocolate, sugar, cinnamon

Finish

toasted maple and oak, bittersweet chocolate, warm spice