I had this out already as I was preparing a sample for some lucky duck and decided it had been quite long enough since the last time I enjoyed this. I was on the fence about tasting notes but decided to go for it while I had a little bit of time to sit and enjoy. I got my first taste of this in a sample swap myself. Hopefully the recipient of my sample will enjoy it as much as I did. It was good enough for me to select it as my choice from a 2020 raffle I was lucky to win. Company on Label: Heaven Hill Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 120° Age: 10 years Further identification: Purchased in 2020 Nose: Bright vanilla along with a light Heaven Hill paper note I've come to know and expect. It's pretty dusty paper though; I feel like I'm in some kind of luxurious office with too many crevices to keep perpetually clean. Yum - a sweet candy profile that is similar to smarties or a nerdz candy rope. A little bit of syrupy strawberry starting to form. Some faint pepper notes are delicate. Very well kept at the start of the glass. The intensity to the sweet stone fruit is certainly unlocked after a sip. Finally the oak makes itself known as one would expect to find on a uniquely finished bourbon such as this; it's right around that age where spices start to take over, but the dark leather and tobacco notes are not yet present. It makes for a lighter aroma; something airy and promising. It smells like freshly split oak logs on a dry Fall day. Hmm, really getting that Fall vibe in my head now - something like a pile of leaves... Or maybe I'm just day-dreaming or projecting my favorite season now. Hotter baking spices are really beginning to kick up more frequently and with a larger intensity nearing the bottom of the glass. Very well rounded and complex nose. Palate: Instant prevalent cherry shoots across the tongue. A light cinnamon remains where the cherry dries up or falls away. Slight red wine tannin lingers at the edges of my tongue. Delicious marshmallow has formed now, comingled with sweet plum and raspberry jam. A creamy thin textured caramel is quite late to the party, but adds well to the profile. A little hot on the last sip, but still a lot of dark red fruit sweetness. I wish this did a little more, but the flavors that are present are all solid. Rating: 4/5 The nose definitely put the palate to shame on this one and that is likely the only reason I can't give this a 5! Still a solid pour I look forward to continuing to share with good company.

Granny's Tagalong Blend is a 50/50 mix of 2020-01 and 2021-02 batches from Booker's. I found a lot of peanut shell notes in Granny's batch, and also found a salted peanut profile to Tagalong... What does one do with those two things? Try to make a whole-ass peanut experience of course! Company on Label: James B. Beam Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 127.15° (blended calculation) Age: 6 years Further identification: Blended at a 50/50 ratio on 12-July-2021 Nose: Starts out like vanilla extract spilled on a newspaper. Dry and clear oaky influence. Much more of the peanut shells of Granny's than the peanut profile of the Tagalong is shining through. Maybe a 3:1 mix of Tagalong to Granny's next time? Wow, really interesting heavy burnt char with some light smokiness comes alongside a chocolate note. Rye spice and caramel. This might be ever so slightly better than the sum of its parts. It coalesced into something both unique and somehow comforting. The vanilla note is divine. I can't understate this. It's fantastic. It's flirting with the idea of turning into a marshmallow but I think it's quite content where it is. Citrus evolves later. Plum layers in well. Palate: Wow, super rich cacao powder. Punchy vanilla. I'm envisioning Nilla wafers, dusted with tons of Hershey's cocoa mix (which totally takes me back to the 90s). Oh... Oh yes! It worked! It's like the whole peanut experience! The dusty shell cracks away, exposing a salted peanut underneath - ready for snacking. I know this was kind of a simple X + Y = Z experiment, but you never know with whiskey. It's actually really delicious this way too. It doesn't seem to have the same evolution of complexity as the individual pours, but if this stays like this I'm really pleased with where it ended up. It's like sitting in a warm living room with the wood stove roaring, drinking a hot chocolate and snacking on a few peanuts as the fire crackles. I will definitely be mixing up more of this for this winter. Towards the end of the glass more of the rye spice and proofy cherry return. Actually does have the layers, evolution and complexity of the underlying bottles. A solid combination I definitely think needs a side by side to fully evaluate. There is something silky & creamy about the plum/cherry finish to this. Yum. Last sip is a vanilla char explosion of impressive length. Several minutes of an almost minty throat linger is an awesome farewell. Rating: 4/5

I've reviewed Granny's Batch in a short flash review before, but thought it was owed a little deeper dive. As I mentioned in my previous post, Granny's Batch was the batch that really got me hooked on Booker's. I was sitting up one night having a night cap, getting ready to head to bed to rest up before a flight to Alaska the next day, and this pour totally took me by surprise. I was amazed at all the flavors. I knew this one was going to be special to me. Let's see if over a year later the same sentiment holds true. Company on Label: James B. Beam Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 126.4° Age: 6 years Further identification: 2020-01 Granny's Batch comes bearing a pink label in a wooden box with a batch information card Nose: Buttery and sweet at first smell. Toasted walnuts. Dusty oak and citrus. Powdery vanilla that has some cake-like characteristics. I can almost smell something dark smoldering beneath the surface. I'm expecting a big pop of powerful aromas any moment now. Some dry wood characteristics continue to layer in like stringy paper birch bark. Boom. A light swirl released the fury of this one. Rich, spicy cherry stampedes out, leaving a trail of black pepper, dark stewed plums and a slight grape tannin. A lovely cacophony. I'm actually not getting any of the Beam peanut shell that Granny's Batch is notorious for and why I fell in love with Booker's in the first place. That's also why I really enjoy this pour too though because it evolves very drastically, inter- and intra-glass. Time for a sip. This glass is starting to turn on that dark rye spice and a bit of salt comes along with it. Vanilla layers back strongly later in the glass. Pepper spice again, but stronger this time. The vanilla note is finally delicate enough to let that peanut shell note shine through. Yum! Palate: High flying, high proof ball of FIRE on my first sip. I was not ready for something that intense tonight as a first pour. I'm going to lean on an old trick and hold a little bit of this in my mouth for as long as I can bear and see how I fare coming out the other side. Worked a charm. I am getting a thick syrupy cherry juice and the beginnings of peanut shells starting to creep in. After the first sip shock wore off, the profile is almost delicate in a way, even at 126.4 proof. Creamy citrus, a bit of copper metallics, rye spice, cinnamon stick, and plum linger very long. Definitely a batch for sipping, and I think does well in cooler Fall weather. On this slightly muggy August day, it feels quite potent, and leaves me with a bit of sweat forming on my nose. Time to kick on the AC and finish this glass. Hidden under that powerful cherry note are those dusty, salted peanut shells I know and love. It took a long time to set up tonight, but it finally arrived at a slightly drying mouth coating that lingers impossibly long. That's the beauty of a good barrel proof offering - the waves of flavors seem to go on forever. Rating: 4/5 I knew this one was going to do well tonight when it started out with way more layers than I was expecting out of this pour. In the end it finally presented me with those dusty, salted peanut shells I was waiting for the entire glass. I am actually really interested to see if a little blending experiment between Granny's Batch (the peanut shells note) and Tagalong Batch (actual peanuts note) can combine to form a whole-ass peanut profile. I've already blended it up and I'm just giving it time to mix and mingle now. Looking forward to reviewing the result of that experiment soon!

I'm going to preface this review with the fact that Granny's Batch was the batch that really got me hooked on Booker's. I was sitting up one night getting ready to head to bed to rest up before a flight to Alaska the next day, and this nightcap pour totally took me by surprise. I was amazed at all the flavors. I knew this one was going to be special to me. Even for all my love of it; I still haven't sat down for a complete review of it... I will present my first impressions I had here, but stay tuned for a more in-depth review to come in the future before my bottle is empty. Company on Label: James B. Beam Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 126.4° Age: 6 years Further identification: 2020-01 Granny's Batch comes bearing a pink label in a wooden box with a batch information card Nose is like smelling a big bucket of salty, dusty peanut shells. The shells specifically... Really great experience all around with cherry dancing in between the peanut shells. Traditional oak and vanilla notes with a tiny bit of zest in the background. Palate is super rich with a great mouth feel. Syrupy cherry peanut transfers well from the nose. It is thick, savory and twangy like a buttery Thai dish. Finish is the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Great overall proof point and experience with this. Rating: 4/5 I’ll admit this bottle can be hit or miss sometimes depending on oxidation levels and natural batch variation, but this hits the spot more times than not. Do you like this batch? If not, what is your favorite? Let me know!

After trying the Blue Run 13 Year Bourbon in a sample from @SaxyBourbon, I couldn't wait to get my hands on their next release. If you have never tried a Blue Run product before, I hope this review can help you decide if you want to pick one up! Company on Label: Blue Run Spirits Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Proof: 113° Age: 14 years Further identification: On the neck of the bottle there are markings for batch (Summer), date (5/26/21), bottle (R-0525) and R-1100 Nose: Rich caramel and pepper punch forward on first smell. Wow, so much rye spice popping out of this; reminds me of one of my first high rye experiences. Reminds me a little bit of a good Booker's batch aroma. Super chocolatey and that lovely earthy funk, layered over well oiled leather. You can definitely tell this one is getting up there in age. I thought the 13 year was complex, this is powerful and potent. There are all the great oak barrel characteristics, without that saturation point where it actually turns into the wood. Crème brûlée vanilla, but airing on the side of something more bready. Buttery and dark, almost like a mincemeat pie. More of that high rising baking spice that dances on the nose. Post sip the nose really turns kind of meaty and spicy which is very interesting. It's similar to the experience many find later on in a Booker's Country Ham where things take on that salted, oily roast meat character. I know there have already been a lot of comparisons, but this just has so many fun layers to it it's hard not to draw parallels. With a bit of air blown over the glass and a swirl to elicit some new whiskey vapor under my nose I start to find more of a smooth vanilla and dry paper on the right nose. Left nose continues to be very caramel forward. Chocolate and cloves balance each other out very well. I almost get a beef jerky vibe to this. Some slight smokiness is forming late in the glass; as if you left something in the pan a little too long and it formed a light crust. Palate: First sip is all a rich cherry mouth coating, melting into a cinnamon hot candy. Rich, syrupy wave of sweetness. That rich spiced cherry really reminds me of a great Weller Full Proof pick. The thick caramel and pepper also layer into another part of the mouth coating that is slightly drying. Oh, some new fruit are here to play now. I get a plum and some light apricot. A little more proof now than previous sips, this is definitely one that builds with you as you keep sipping. The sweetness lingers long. Almost none of the intense spice I found early on the nose is present on the palate, except for the pang of a spicy peppercorn on the tip of the tongue. The cherry and caramel feel like they fall over each other in waves on subsequent sips; lovely undulations that give fairly straightforward flavors a unique character. Intense but also fleeting - I feel like this is a butterfly you could chase for quite some time. The last sip of the glass feels so complete, and easily the longest linger of the pour. The front half of my mouth is tingling with flashes and pops of the last of that pepper laced caramel. Fading slowly ever farther away, but never quite gone; this feels like a great pour to enjoy as dusk turns to dark. Rating: 4/5 The nose on this was incredibly complex and fun. I have to appreciate the craftsmanship on this one; It stood up incredibly well as a first pour of the day. I am glad to have shared a few pours of this already with some friends. I'm afraid this one won't last long on my shelf now!

Another one of the more highly regarded Booker's batches of recent, tonight we reached for Beaten Biscuits. I fought for a long time with where I'd land on a pour for tonight and eventually Booker's was the only thing I suggested to myself and didn't immediately find a reason to change my mind. So here we are - let's get this tasted! Company on Label: James B. Beam Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 126.1° Age: 6 years Further identification: 2019-04 Beaten Biscuits comes bearing a light pink rose label in a wooden box with a batch information card Nose: First smell is a lemon forward oak note. Slightly astringent vanilla and allspice. Dark cacao powder and coriander. Really heavy, dry paper note I usually attribute to Heaven Hill, but this glass deceives me. The oak has something to it that makes it feel slightly muted; almost like it's been painted over on one side. Maybe that's a unique artifact about this batch's char. Warm, steamed linen - like a sheet that has spent a good amount of time under an iron. Now a thick plum note settled in post-sip. It is layered in, much like the palate, with a mix of dried nuts. Some lightly buttered scone aromas dance up from deeper pulls. More baking spice coming along later. Light pepper, a stainless steel that reminds me of a soup ladle for some reason... Maybe an interaction with some soup spices hitting my nose alongside it. More paper and linen follow along and round out the nose. Lemon and butter return. A very circular experience. The empty glass highlights a zesty citrus that definitely can explain some of the heat to this one. Palate: Wow, punchy stone fruit I did not at all find on the nose. Very proofy start, but the cherry note is so syrupy and feels encrusted in some light nuttiness. Walnut and hazelnut are the two that jump out at me. Mouth coating is thick but slightly drying, this is very much an all-at-once wave of intense flavors on each sip. It passes slowly though from front to back and gives a looong and large chest hug. Definitely a barrel proof lover's dream here. The linger is powerfully sweet but doesn't evolve much from the plum and cherry flavors. The fruit is intensely sweet. It almost reminds me of some kind of over-sugared slushy flavor you'd find in a 7-eleven in the 90s (in that way that you remember it better than it really was). Amazing mouth feel to this. It's the same intense wave of sweet, dark, red fruit every time, but unfortunately doesn't seem to evolve into anything else. Definitely drinks a little hot (at least for me tonight). My final sip both introduces and bids farewell to a hint of milk chocolate alongside the cherry. Rating: 4/5

This sample comes again courtesy of @bourbon_fiend_and_finder on what apparently is a larger sample swap than I remember! I just keep pulling things out from this guy. Good problems to have I guess. Sticking with rye tonight on this lovely July evening; this will be a shorter 2nd pour review. Banyuls is a French appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) for a fortified apéritif or dessert wine made from old vines cultivated in terraces on the slopes of the Catalan Pyrenees in the Roussillon county of France, bordering, to the south, the Empordà wine region in Catalonia in Spain. High West is never afraid to try something new with their store pick program - and neither is Ryan Maloney from Julio's Liquors. Let's dig into this pick and see what it's all about. Company on Label: High West Whiskey Type: A Blend of Straight Rye Whiskeys Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Proof: 95.8° Age: 2 year (blended with a corn heavy 16 year) Further identification: MGP sourced; this limited edition was finished for 8 months in Banyuls barrel #17755 and bottled for The Loch and K(e)y Society Nose: Syrupy sangria fruit. Earthy greens. Citrus zest. Light oak. Something light like an earthiness I've never experienced; almost feels slightly tropical. Shiny, polished copper. I smell wooden casks that feel like they've been out in the sun too long, or maybe adrift on a boat too long. There is some kind of nautical quality to this I can't quite place. Smoky charcoal now later in the pour after a few sips. A swirl reveals dusty vanilla and allspice. Things settled back into mellow fruit after a few moments. Palate: Hm, I immediately say with a smirk. That's definitely unique. A high rising citrus that drinks way over it's proof is first and foremost. This is followed by mellow, drying, sweet wine. Finish is short, but at last linger a light buttery texture melts in. Again the rye spice feels like it's adrift somewhere out stranded on a wooden boat off the coast of a dark island - threatened by an approaching storm. This glass just feels kind of moody. The finish on this I think did well to improve the profile of this, but it also detracted something from the rye experience I am missing now that it's not there. The fruit is something closest to a date, but also resembles raisin, or a dark raspberry jam. Rating: 3/5 What a fun experience with this pour. This really took me on a journey... Definitely one for the adventurous type who likes to try new things, I don't think you'll taste anything like this again!

Don't you love when something new comes to town? Recently Wilderness Trail started distribution to MA. This was a newer label I had already heard some things about. The rye came recommended out of the line of 4 releases that hit shelves. With the barrel proof label, a sweet mash indication on the side label and a barrel number that suggests the rye inside is 4-5 years old I decided to pull the trigger. Let's see if it's any good! Company on Label: Wilderness Trail Whiskey Type: Straight Rye Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 33% Corn, 56% Rye, 11% Malted Barley Proof: 106° Age: 4 years Further identification: Barrel No. 16B21U, Bottle 179 of 250; NCF stated Nose: Immediately smells woodsy. Lovely mossy earth draped in creamy caramel. Saw dust. Maple cherry - almost smoked. Damp smelling. Like a verdant forest floor in a dreamy cool summer morning after a rain. Very fleeting chocolate, taken over by a dry bark note. Chocolate is flashy and also tied to something funky. Lemon peel is as light as if it brushed up against a grainy piece of oak that took off a little bit of the skin between the splinters. This nose is both delicious, fun and layered - everything I could ask for out of a rye. Definitely has a bit of sweetness that is great for those that don't do the heavy, punchy spices some other ryes are known for. Post sip there is a bit of baking spice coming through now with nutmeg shining forward first, followed by white pepper, allspice and finally a light cardamom. Maybe I spoke a little too soon about the spices! A bit of candied ginger, raw cinnamon stick and some other concoction that reminds me a bit of pumpkin pie. Dry vanilla starts to overpower the nose late in the glass. A swirl kicks up a dry paper note, followed by a unique rye grain and finally a smooth caramel brittle. Lovely, lovely nose. I could sit and smell this for hours. Empty glass is a smoky oak and raisin. Palate: First sip is intensely citrus sweet forward, with a dark cherry rolling across the tongue and settling right down into a thin maple syrup. Creamy vanilla and lemon intertwine almost magically on the linger. Slightly proofy cherries are the dominant introduction in subsequent sips. Spices are definitely here to stay now on both the palate and the post sip nose. A long swish in the mouth reveals not much else than the flavors already stated. The nose on this one really outclasses the palate in complexity, but I will say the mixture of flavors here are really enjoyable. Some dark raisin present now late in the glass. Very faintly tannic at times. Mainly fruit forward on the palate - definitely highly recommend this for the wine lover or sweet tooth! Rating: 4/5 A really impressive pour that is a highlight reel of a rye nose with a solid delivery on sips. This is one of those cases where I think they bottled this at the perfect time. I am glad to have this one!

Did you know, these signature labels on the neck of Michter's bottles are a fun identifier for where your whiskey came from? The first two numbers are the year it was bottled, the letter represents a month of bottling and the ending numbers are Michter's unique identifiers for that particular batch, or in this case, barrel. Through some conversations with the wonderful folks at Michter's I've learned that the months are listed and paired to the letter that is alphabetically in the same order! So: Michter's Letter - Month A – January B – February C – March D – April E – May F – June G – July H – August I – September J – October K – November L – December I was embarrassed I didn't have the shelfer version of the Michter's rye profile at my bar, after already reviewing the 10 year, the toasted barrel and the barrel strength ryes... I went out and rectified my oversight right away! I've definitely had a bottle of this in years past, it was probably part of the reason I got into drinking Michter's in the first place. Let's see how it holds up to my current standards! Company on Label: Michter's Whiskey Type: Straight Rye Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Proof: 84.8° Age: NAS Further identification: Single Barrel - Barrel No 21C986 Nose: Fig, raisin, and candy cherry. A sweetness I've found in almost every offering from Michter's. It's both powdery sugar like smarties and syrupy like cherry juice. Dull oak falls a little flat on the nose. Now post-sip some of the oak has opened up & shows a bit of dry, bleached paper. Not my favorite nose on a rye, but I also like more spice & intensity, whereas this is mellow & sweet. On a deep inhale there is something like clean floors on a bright spring day, with clothes hanging outside on the clothesline. Younger oak, but florals starting to bud and sprout around. Palate: Thin, but very coating. Hmm. Light milk chocolate and a funny citrus. Like the nose, there is both a creamy & chalky characteristic to the mouth coating. Some freshly bloomed floral characteristics. Also almost feels 'wet'; as if it has been watered down a bit too far for my preference tonight. We may have to go for a barrel strength rye as a follow up pour to this one... Definitely a relaxing experience and enjoyable flavors that do show up, but definitely not going to knock your socks off in the complexity department. Rating: 3/5 As I sit and type this up, enjoying a barrel strength rye now, I can certainly see how I was missing the richness of this creamy molasses and sugar cookie note that is only present on something at a higher proof point. The intensity of barrel strength is definitely more of what I was craving tonight. I will continue to say that the Michter's Bourbon, Rye, Sour Mash and American Whiskey are all my go-to recommendations for people who are new to whiskey and want to experience a palatable array of fun flavors. Someone more experienced surely isn't going to be begging for more of this rye, but as a staple introduction to the genre, I have no negative remarks to make.

Knob Creek 12 was a big surprise for me one day. I had unintentionally turned myself away from these for a while, not expecting much, until I was offered a pour at a friends bar. I think I had a bottle in my possession the next day. Let’s see if it’s any good tonight. Company on Label: James B. Beam Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 100° Age: 12 years Further identification: The blue label on Knob Creek is unique to the 12 year offerings as far as I know; this was purchased early 2021 Nose: Earthy caramel spice on first impression. Allspice & cloves are heavy on this humid day. Definitely balanced by an expressive and enjoyable squeezed lemon juice. Pepper & a dry cacao-tinged molasses. Loaded with dark herbals and spices. Light vanilla presents dry on deep inhales. Some light paper notes; like the smell of the inside of a brown paper grocery bag. Citrus, vanilla and the dark baking spices are the highlights of this poor. Some light toasted bread and cinnamon; the combination eliciting a similar experience to French toast. Later as I continue to dig through the layers a hint of maple syrup crowns this experience. This one is top notch at it’s price point. If it were as balanced & complex with all of these layers from the very start I’d give it an easy five, but there are definitely some subtle sharp pain points with the proof showing a little too strong from time to time. Departing note from the glass is a faint peanut shell. Palate: Syrupy start on the front palate with caramel & vanilla. As soon as it passes to the back of my tongue there is a big flash of metallic molasses and the same dark allspice of the nose. Really nice, unique profile to this. It leaves a long linger of creamy coffee bean and a synthetic marshmallow. Subsequent sips definitely build into the spice department but also in the creaminess. They do well together, but the tingling sensation on my tongue definitely tells me the spice is winning. Some light graham cracker starts to form as a reprieve later in the glass. It is accompanied by brown sugar & more vanilla whipped cream. 20-ish minutes into the pour I’ve almost completely forgot about the experience with the spice from earlier as this has mellowed into a sweet base that reads best as a vanilla sundae with all the fixin's. Nearing the bottom there is a slight savory note that has formed alongside the caramel. Yummy finish it at the end of the glass with the undying sweet/salty caramel that is aged to perfection. Rating: 4/5 This is peak Jim Beam product at a wonderful price point. Color me impressed with this one. I definitely don't think it's for everyone given the high spice content and it presenting slightly above it's proof at 100°. But if you are someone who enjoys a higher proof pour on the right night like me, this is a solid hit I would recommend for any occasion. It stood up very well in a recent bourbon flight I did with some family. As such, I will be keeping this one Amongst The Whiskey.

Oh boy... This one is getting low... When I look at a new Booker's batch, I usually use this one as my reference point to determine if a new batch is good. This to me is the wonderful presentation of all the flavors I think Booker's can be and does well. Realizing I have used this as a head to head reference point without actually giving this a full review led me to reach for this tonight! Let's see if it really is my favorite batch currently or not! Company on Label: James B. Beam Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 124.7° Age: 6 years Further identification: 2019-03 Country Ham comes bearing a light grey label in a wooden box with a batch information card Nose: Starts out with a light brown sugar presenting alongside some dry saltiness. Creamy cherry floats up alongside what I can best describe as salted butter. Some nice allspice and clove sit atop a level vanilla. Peeling back the vanilla reveals the oak which is aged well but not the least bit overpowering. Some light citrus layers mingle around. This glass just has so much to it and I haven't even thought about going for a sip yet. Suddenly the allspice mixes with a bit of zest, tied up in a thick caramel stickiness that finally packs some intensity that shows off the barrel strength of this pour. There are some dull metallic patina notes that are an interesting addition at this stage. Some light leafy greens... This is the kind of experience that made me fall in love with the world of bourbon. I think this glass is finally ready for a sip. Post sip, things maintain a cool temper with vanilla and a maple sugar sweetness carrying most of the aroma. Cinnamon spice. Oh my, a wonderful unmixed hot cocoa powder is now identifiable that I think has eluded me, but has been present from the start. Really delectable notes here. Later in the glass some of the proof starts to show between the cracks of the smooth vanilla as oak starts to take over. My acute senses are starting to get a little overloaded by this proof, but I am definitely left with a lovely light citrus feeling on the nose as I go in for my final sip. Empty glass is all caramel goodness. Palate: Definitely intense on a non-warmed up palate. I let this first sip coat my tongue a long time to get over the uncomfortable acclimation to 124.7 proof. The end result on swallowing this sip is a wonderful array of cherry sweetness, a slightly sour caramel, and herbal greens that remind me of a New England hardwood forest in the peak of summer growth. Cherry is definitely the dominant palate note coming through here. There is a fantastic mouth coating consistency to this which I definitely regard as highly important to the level of enjoyment I can extract from a glass. This has a similar coating to the likes of a really good Weller Full Proof store pick or my favorite Russell's Reserve pick to date... Along with the cherry sweetness there is definitely a bit of maple syrup, but sprinkled with a little cinnamon and nutmeg... It's a really unique mix that definitely elicits the feeling of some kind of glaze which may be where this batch name drew it's inspiration. This one is definitely one that builds in intensity and complexity the more you sip and let it coat your mouth. A rinse of water can be a helpful reset if things start to turn too dark on the palate. The caramel is slightly effervescent and rising through the palate. Again, part of that mouth coating experience that really sets a good bourbon apart from a great bourbon. Last sip of the glass highlights the slightly savory notes that were present more-so on the nose; with a salty molasses presenting thick and dark. As usual, I am sad to see the bottom of an empty glass with this one. This is another one of those 'bourbon clinic' bottles for me. Rating: 5/5

Having tried the Small Batch and Straight Bourbon offerings from Smoke Wagon already, it was high time to get into some of this Uncut Unfiltered I keep seeing Aaron sampling with his ladle over a giant vat. I love the blending work this guy is doing and hope he can continue to hone his skills. I'm going into this one with a little bit of high expectations so let's see if this one can hang Amongst the Whiskey. Company on Label: Nevada H&C Distilling Co Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley Proof: 113.8° Age: NAS (Blend of 4 to 12 year old bourbons) Further identification: Batch 49, bottled March 13, 2021 Nose: Chocolate and caramel kind of resembling a milk dud. Light spiciness mixed well with vanilla forward sweetness. Peppery oak. Dust and orange peel zest. Slightly bitter like the pith of the orange too. Definitely mostly a powerful citrus that settles well into a base woody platform. Almost grapefruit but not quite. Some rosemary spice kisses the edges of the fragrant glass. Definitely smells older with some great earthy, rich cigar wrapper notes coming through. A tight grain dark wood note comes with it. Chocolate continues to swirl. Turning a bit creamy later in the glass, some lighter fruit sits well atop a dry pie crust note. Definitely feels like there is some heavy char to the oak now. Can almost smell the floating charcoal fragments I'm sure grace these vats of liquid. The longer this one sits the more apparent the oak influence has become. Turns very floral late in the glass - this one certainly benefitting from some air time. Some funk and pepper adds to the floral bouquet well. Really has a nice complexity to it late in the glass that I can appreciate. Just a touch of a copper metallic note shines through when I really dig. Empty glass is all chocolate and caramel. Palate: First sip is a lovely dive into the land of syrupy cherry. A swirling spice takes a tour of the inside of my closed mouth. Plum stews into the lemon bite. Some light mint presents kind of like a mint chocolate chip (no ice cream). Woah now... Some larger sips are quite intense and you are certainly reminded this is up there in proof a bit. Really intense for only 113.8 proof, I'd have expected that last sip to be near 130. But with that came tons of great flavors... crushed cherry skins, a rich caramel, brown sugar, light vanilla bean, and the ever present twang of some citrus zest. Drinks a little hot at times I think when a dry cinnamon flashes into existence and pushes out through your nostrils. By the end of the pour things have certainly mellowed out a bit with the citrus melting into the caramel for a lovely combination. The cherry comes back around well and presents much sweeter than the tannic skins note from earlier in the glass. At the start of this pour I wasn't certain I was going to love this, but by the end of the glass I sure do! This is definitely one I see myself sipping slow on an evening when I get home a little later than usual from a hard days work. The caramel and citrus combination are the highlight of this pour. Rating: 4/5