Appearance – It’s tarnished copper in colour, it’s quite viscous on the glass, it beads up along the top of the swirl, the legs are thin, and a few bubbles remain just under the surface.
Nose – First off is a lot of ABV, it’s difficult to get a good nosefull as the ABV and aroma together are so potent. There’s lots of dark fruits, leaning towards an Ex Sherry cask finish, raisins, cloves, figs, black cherries, peppercorns, cinnamon and star anise, there’s a bbq meats note, honey glazed bacon, a sweetness, the nearest I can get is royal icing, and right at the back are cooking apples.
Palate – It has a super mouthfeel, and it’s so warming, you can feel the warmth slowly spreading. Flavour wise straight away tobacco/cigar leaves, peppercorns, there’s a vanilla custard flavour, chilli heat, and the stewed dark fruits are everywhere, it actually gets very spicy. Black liquorice and oak are very prominent too. A drop of water calms the ABV, and it’s getting sweeter, fruit salad sweets, ginger nut biscuits, tinned pineapple slices.
Finish – It’s continues to warm the throat, there’s lots of spice, lots of ginger, chilli, cardamom, and black pepper.
My thoughts – This is a belter of a Bourbon, there’s so much flavour, so much spice, and so much ABV, it’s definitely not for the feint hearted whisky enthusiast who doesn’t like too much spiciness.
Would I buy a bottle? – Yes, it has so much to offer, a right rollicking mouthful, it’s loverly.
Thanks to – @DavidMarra (Twitter).
Follow @DavidMarraPicture credit – Hedonism wines.
