89 / 100
The sweetness here has a firm counterweight in the spice. Dense toffee, brown sugar and maple syrup on the palate meet cinnamon and black pepper; that contrast particularly appeals to me, with the spice giving the sweeter notes definition. On the nose, warm toasted caramel and vanilla sit alongside orange peel, charred oak and baking spice, setting up that relationship without quite repeating it. The finish carries lingering dark sweetness and persistent baking spice, then a dry oak grip. Its long, powerful finish and rich oak may be less appealing to someone seeking a gentler bourbon. For a preference that leans toward spice, though, the interplay with sweetness is the main attraction.
Reviewed by cinnamon.sparrow
- Nose
- warm toasted caramel, vanilla, orange peel, charred oak, baking spice, a hint of tobacco
- Palate
- dense toffee, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, black pepper, rich oak, oily texture
- Finish
- long and powerful, lingering dark sweetness, persistent baking spice, dry oak grip