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I tasted this alongside an E.H. Taylor Small Batch as a bit of a bottled-in-bond battle. This was my first opening of the Heaven Hill BiB. I try not to review neck pours, but this is one of them where I did. Read the follow-up pour of E.H. Taylor Small Batch here . Company on Label: Heaven Hill Whiskey Type: Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley Proof: 100° Age: 7 years Further identification: I purchased this in early 2021 and reviewed it within the same year Nose: Bright, sweet, dry vanilla. Something else attached to it that resembles the smell of a fresh stack of paper. Candied apple. White pepper. A tobacco that is very light and masked in a touch of ethanol. Dry, old oak. Definitely primarily driven by vanilla & white pepper. Some extra char here yields a marshmallow note I've thoroughly enjoyed out of some Elijah Craig offerings. Some light raisin notes round this nose out well. Late nose is most enjoyable; it turns all sweet. Palate: Wow, unironically smooth. Incredibly balanced mouthfeel on first sip, with the pepper and a light zest forming in the center of the tongue. Vanilla is a permanent fixture around the rest of the mouth coating. This drinks just ridiculously silky smooth. The marshmallow bits of char here mix well with a rich plum. No matter how I chew this, I can't elicit any bite. The vanilla and paper I experienced on the nose crescendos very intensely on these chews, however. The linger is intensely long, driven by a recently acquired vanilla sweet lemon cake that breathes through my airways for the better part of a minute. The overall vibe is definitely explosive vanilla notes. Rating: 4/5 This is a whiskey that has stood the test of time. With consistently great vanilla flavors, this is one of the best values in bourbon still today. WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With over a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” – Marcus Aurelius When I heard this year's George T. Stagg release crossed over the threshold beyond the magic hazmat number, I knew I had to track one down. While the bourbon hunt was a little slower to produce this year, the generosity of the whiskey community turned up strong. My dear friend Matt Long, also known as @rarewhiskeynomad or "Hazzmatty," sent along a sample for review. Matt runs an incredible community called The Whiskey Coalition , which I'm glad to be a part of. His family Christmas card this year was an easy 5/5 for me, and I am deeply grateful for his kindness as always in sharing this. You would be hard-pressed to find a more magnanimous man than Matt. He's the kind of guy that would make Marcus Aurelius proud. With my review of the 2024 George T. Stagg turning up a perfect score, let's see if 2025 can live up to the pinnacle quality that is expected out of a bottle from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. After Matt sent along this sample, I was able to track down a bottle of my own, which enabled me to taste this three times prior to my final review in accordance with my editorial policy . Tasting this side by side with the 2024 release enabled a thorough review and a well-reasoned rating, which you'll find below! Company on Label:  Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky Whiskey Type:  Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  Undisclosed Buffalo Trace mash bill # 1 (high corn, low rye, and malted barley) Proof:  142.8° Age:  15 years, 4 months Buy online:   Frootbat Further identification:  The 2025 George T. Stagg specs are detailed in their yearly release letter: Nose:  The nose leads with bold rickhouse funk, laden with rich caramel tones that exude an immediate elegance. While the complexity takes a little while to warm up, I start finding raspberry meringue roulade and vanilla tones first before the pervasive oak begins to let more notes free from its grasp. Light chocolate and confectioners' sugar dance in the nostrils. Sun-warmed farm fields come to mind as I inhale with happy, closed eyes. While there's allspice, black pepper, and clove aromas, they have all been softened by the chocolate tones, the general creaminess, and a wonderful aroma of homemade bread baking in the oven. I cannot believe how exquisite this feels in the nose without a hint of heat or any of the hazmat proof. After a patient rest, a mixed berry fruit compote tone begins to develop, giving texture that wasn't there before. Blueberry pie and stewed apricot build well on deep inhales. I am still amazed by the approachability here... After finally jumping into a sip, I return to a nose filled with beignets, molasses, and just a dab of butterscotch. An infinitely long inhale plays the story above on repeat, inducing only smiles and chills. The empty glass smells of cherry bounce and warm, bakery-sweet monkey bread. Palate:  My first sip shows up in a big way with more cherry than I know what to do with. It's juicy and mouthwatering on the tongue like sucking on a Jolly Rancher before coconut and cream shimmer off in the elegant linger. This is a beast of a bourbon that doesn't seem to taste like previous releases. The added nuance of that really fun coconut layer definitely sets this bottle apart in my mind. Another sip to reground me shows off decadent caramel monkey bread and cinnamon swirl sourdough. Goodness, this is good. The central theme of this pour is definitely that luscious cherry characteristic, which weaves its way throughout the entire experience. Sipping later into the dram reveals more candy shop sweetness, now leaning towards Sweet Tarts and Smarties, two nostalgic hits from my upbringing. I admit I am taking the smallest sips possible to preserve every minute of this pour, because this is damn delicious whiskey. Another poke into the glass as the liquid level is getting painfully low produces crème de menthe pie and a new layer of creamy caramel. My last sip is like a fond farewell to a friend with bodacious pear tart, nutmeg, peach flambé, and cherry dump cobbler layering out like a kneading cat in an infinitely long finish. TL;DR: Cherry for days on an elegant and refined profile that belies the hazmat proof Rating:  5/5 Pinnacle whiskey. A true rarity in quality. After having a taste of this, my desire to hunt down a bottle was multiplied tenfold. I am grateful to have done so since then, and this enabled a deeper understanding of the inherent quality of this incredible bourbon. Comparing this pour to the 2024 George T. Stagg tells me everything I need to know. The 2025 release is better in every way, unless you are looking for a bit of that punchiness. If you like a whiskey that smacks you around a little bit, the 2024 is going to do that a bit better. As far as depth of flavor, evolution through complexity, and refined elegance, the 2025 bottling of George T. Stagg is a perfect whiskey in every way. This just might be the bourbon of the year. WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With over a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

“The wise are instructed by reason, average minds by experience, the stupid by necessity, and the brute by instinct.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero If you are on the hunt for Stagg this year, you have come to the right place. I have had the good fortune of trying most of the existing Stagg Jr. releases through the years and regularly recalibrate my ratings against previous batches. You'll find my full power ranking at the Stagg Hub , your one-stop shop for all things Stagg Jr. and George T. Stagg. It has all the proofs, the rankings, the history, and more. It is through this lens that I am ready to examine the 3rd batch that was released at a strangely quick pace in the winter of 2025. 2025 Batches by Proof/ABV 25A : 126.5° / 63.25% 25B : 126.9° / 63.45% 25C : 125.6° / 62.8% 25D : 129.2° / 64.6% As I wrote in my review of batch 25D , I think Buffalo Trace needs to slow down on the release pace and hone back in on quality. I would much prefer to see two releases that knock my socks off than have to spend so much time informing folks which batches are worth scooping versus leaving on the shelf. Part of why I decided to go so deep on reviewing Stagg Jr. batches was because I was the guy standing in a liquor store back in 2018, staring at 5 different proofs without any sense of what the differences between them would be. I had no clue which ones were good or if any of them were worth haggling over. I am glad I took that risk back in the day, and I hope this review puts you in a more informed position than I found myself in back then. Company on Label:  Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky Whiskey Type:  Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  Undisclosed Buffalo Trace mash bill # 1 (high corn, low rye, and malted barley) Proof:  125.6° Age:  NAS (though rumored to typically be around 8 years old) Buy online:   Frootbat Further identification:  This is the 25C batch of Stagg bourbon, which arrived in winter 2025 Nose:  As I get into my first smell of the glass, I find a wave of traditional bourbon caramel that runs right down the middle. Black pepper and allspice swing in gentle spice before a wave of decaying fall leaves takes over the experience. Long inhales are a bit metallic but settle into small pops of vanilla and caramel. I can't say I'm too excited yet nosing through, as the simple aromas come across a bit synthetic. After a long rest, things settle into a comfortable territory that is just simple, classic Buffalo Trace bourbon ramped up to a comfortable proof. Light toffee and candy wrapper aromas fill my nostrils late in the glass. The empty glass smells like graham crackers and vanilla Tootsie Rolls. Palate:  Putting glass to lips I find the black pepper and allspice the nose was touting, as well as the big sploosh of caramel that falls over the entire tongue in a scrawny, thin mouthfeel. Sampling again is a carbon copy of the first, a rather one-note caramel experience. Dutifully plumbing the depths reveals a bit of anise and burnt pancake scraps before a metallic linger takes over. For a seasoned Stagg Man, this is pretty disappointing overall, but if this was your first-ever Stagg batch, I don't think you would notice as much. Light raspberry tones start to ramp up late in the pour but fail to materialize in a meaningful way. As I continue to work through this pour, I find myself easily distracted with things other than the whiskey as it fails to capture my attention. My last sip is mundane yet enjoyable, with more vanilla tones proliferating on a medium-length finish. TL;DR: Crowd-pleasing, airy bourbon that doesn't quite suck Rating:  3/5 Middle of the road whiskey. An average showing. With 25D firmly in the dud category, 25C manages to elevate the experience quite a bit. While it doesn't soar as high as some other batches I have reviewed , if you can find this at MSRP, I am sure it'll be a crushable bottle for you and your friends to enjoy. If you are a more tenured enthusiast like me, you'll want to seek out batch 25A or 25B for a little more quality. If you find this style of honest review appealing, consider subscribing to my once-monthly newsletter , where I give the inside scoop on all kinds of whiskeys that are worth hunting as well as which ones to skip. Cheers! WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With over a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

“If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.” – Anatole France What do you do when one of your favorite local liquor stores has a bottle of Stagg Junior hiding in plain sight? First, you confirm it's available for sale at a reasonable price, and then you pop it with the folks at the shop, of course! That's exactly what I did with my friends over at Curtis Liquors in Weymouth, MA when I found this batch 25B hiding in the lockup case. With the foil peeled and cork popped, we were delighted with our first pour from a new batch, especially after how good batch 25A was. Whiskey always tastes better when you share it with good people. Since then, I've been dutifully working through this bottle, with a little help from my friends, of course. I have been a long time fan of Stagg Jr I was excited to get into 25B again, thinking it was going to be the great finale of 2025, until I heard news of new batches showing up again. Like 2024, it seems we were fated to have four releases. Batches 25C and 25D started to hit shelves at nuanced proofs, something I have tracked over time in my Stagg Hub article—well worth a bookmark if you haven't already. Of course I have since hunted those down and had all four on hand to compare and contrast. I'll give you my power rankings for 2025 down below, but you'll have to check out that Stagg Hub link to see how they feather into the broader release landscape. Company on Label:  Distilled, aged, & bottled by Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky Whiskey Type:  Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  Undisclosed Buffalo Trace mash bill # 1 (high corn, low rye, and malted barley) Proof:  126.9° Age:  NAS (though rumored to typically be around 8 years old) Buy online:   Frootbat Further identification:  This is the 25B batch of Stagg bourbon, which arrived in winter 2025 Nose:  Oh yes... immediately I find a classic Stagg bourbon nose in this glass. With a widening smile, I pick up caramel apple and sweet rickhouse funk aromas. This is well balanced overall, allowing me to get my nose as far into the glencairn as I care to search, which is all the way, naturally. Level oak is pervasive and tells a tale of age and wisdom. Hints of fresh topsoil come to mind on long inhales. Floral characteristics build in neat little surprises along the way before ebbing away, revealing incredible sweet fruit. Nosing further, strawberry puree and orange creamsicle aromas tantalize and excite. This is a really fun pour so far. After a sip, the nose only gets better as more of those strawberry tones come in, bolstered by new sweetness that reminds me of fruit punch. Layer in the complexity of an underlying scent of root beer, and you've got a beautiful depth of aroma here. Late in the glass, the slow takeover of floral tones begins again, a wonderful evolution that continues to have staying power in this glass. The core characteristic continues to be a beautiful vanilla profile. The empty glass smells of waffles and light macadamia nuts. Palate:  On the tongue, ubiquitous sweetness from distinguished strawberry cake lands just right with a little bit of a kick at the end that reminds you this is barrel proof bourbon and not actually dessert. It's an exciting, rambunctious pour right from the get-go. Another sip is easier than the first, oozing orange marmalade before finishing with a tingling mouthfeel that feels like sucking down an ice-cold root beer float. The linger is quite solid, but not quite dialed up to maximum potential as light cola and indistinct breadiness fade to black. Subsequent sips reveal a continual array of balance and flavor, everything one should expect out of a well-made barrel proof bourbon. I'm finding loads of vanilla tones now, the back end of that orange creamsicle from the nose, but just lacking a little bit of that creaminess translating into the mouthfeel. Chewing a little further shows off that sweet fruit punch character, coming across more like Sweet Tarts now. I find myself taking small sips to savor this one fully, because it is hitting quite a few great notes right now. I am quite pleased as the orange creamsicle character returns with beautiful vengeance. My last sip is a complete treat as the simple vanilla profile reigns proud in its consistency. The finish is low and brooding but rumbles on quite long with nothing off, just a wave of candy sweetness as far as the mind can see. TL;DR: Batch 25B shows out strong with consistent core flavors and a little flair Rating:  4/5 Really good. I want one of these on my shelf. With how approachable this pour is and the flavors being on a range that I think folks will enjoy, 25B is definitely a beautiful batch worth hunting down if you can find it. If you like my long-form tasting notes, no-nonsense rating scale, or thorough tasting process, consider subscribing to my once-monthly newsletter so you don't miss out on the next best bourbon! Since I now have reviews done of all the 2025 batches, here is my power ranking: Batch 25A Batch 25B Batch 25C Batch 25D A neat little descent into madness, isn't it? WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With over a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

“The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.” – Albert Einstein I love reviewing all the Stagg Junior releases whenever I can, but this shift towards four releases a year is getting a little ridiculous. Not only do I believe this has caused a significant slide in the general quality of these batches, as we saw with the 2024 releases, but it also makes understanding which ones are worth the hunt even more complicated for barrel proof bourbon enthusiasts. Lucky for you, I have all the 2025 batches in hand as well as many of the previous releases for comparison purposes. I have tasted them all side by side and now have three sober tastings under my belt for this particular batch, 25D. On with the review! Company on Label:  Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky Whiskey Type:  Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  Undisclosed Buffalo Trace mash bill # 1 (high corn, low rye, malted barley) Proof:  129.2° Age:  NAS (though rumored to typically be around 8 years old) Buy online:   Frootbat Further identification:  This is the 25D batch of Stagg bourbon, which arrived in late winter 2025 Nose:  Immediately upon lifting the glass to my nose, I find a classic Kentucky bourbon rickhouse aroma—some of that dark, weathered wood we know and love. Another sniff doesn't do wonders beyond that, though I find a slight traditional Tootsie Roll aroma trying to poke out from behind the wood funk. Wafts of vanilla scream traditional bourbon through and through. After a sip, the nose is sharper, filled with black pepper aromas that tingle and steer the nose clear. Late in the glass, some hints of grilled pineapple and a light bit of lemon lollipop can be found if you really look. Earthiness joins the simple vanilla aroma that has persisted throughout this pour. The empty glass smells of musky wetlands and caramel. Palate:  My first sip is a little hot to the tongue, with classic Stagg cherry hots coming across a bit disjointed and jagged, a hallmark of an unharmonious blend. Another quick sip reveals more ethanol burn amidst light flavors of anise and cola. Unfortunately, what should be an array of great flavors demonstrated here are all lost on the dulling effects of harsh whiskey. Sipping further does nothing to improve the profile here, as I am left with a mouthful of a synthetic tingle with little of the accompanying joy that barrel proof bourbon traditionally brings. The synthetic feel sticks around on the linger like a synthetic sugar—think Sweet'n Low here, blegh. My last sip is one of the best, oddly, featuring toffee and vanilla yogurt. The finish is of a decent length, but with no volume, as chalky artificial vanilla reminds me of a poorly mixed protein shake. TL;DR: Expect muted flavors and unmitigated ethanol abound on this dud Rating:  2.5/5 Okay whiskey. Nothing special about this pour. With all heat and no sweet, this batch makes Stagg a dull boy. While some of the previous batches have lived up to the 8-12 year old bourbon range, this batch feels noticeably younger. With a noticeably short for my typically verbose tasting prose, I have to call this one a dud. Check out the batch power rankings on the Stagg Hub , and you'll see just how low this has sunk in the quality range for Stagg Junior. Bookmark that page while you're over there, as it will be continuously updated as new batches get released! WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With over a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

The 2021 release of Michter's 10 Bourbon is making the rounds. I have a bit of my 2020 release bottle still available, so let's see how they taste next to each other! I actually tasted these blind but was able to identify them easily given my extensive experience with the 2020 release and didn't feel the need to hide which was which here. You can see my previous 2020 Michter's 10 Year Bourbon notes here . 2021 Michter's 10 Year Bourbon Company on Label: Bottled by Michter's Distillery Whiskey Type: Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Proof: 94.4° Age: 10 Years Further identification: Barrel No. 21D1232 2020 Michter's 10 Year Bourbon Company on Label: Bottled by Michter's Distillery Whiskey Type: Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed Proof: 94.4° Age: 10 Years Further identification: Barrel No. 20F1287 2021 Review Nose: Earthy, dark oak with cinnamon undertones. Light citrus floats like a cloud with no zesty bite. Slightly tannic fruit with a touch of sweet funk. Caramel moves even more dark fruit in. Very nice complexity, even early on, pre-sip. Lovely marshmallow creaminess has rolled in. Fruit has parted for now to let the caramel dance on its own, slowly turning over in the glass. Wow, a swirl really makes this pop with that marshmallow and baking spice. Palate: Linen and herbal funk lead the way; strange metallic caramel happened early on, maybe an effect of the dreaded neck pour? Citrus and leather improve things drastically with time. Great proof rise with baking spices, some light anise, and plums. Longer finish than you would expect out of 94.4 proof; this is a lovely but still somehow light experience. Waves of citrus, hay, and leather float over longer sips. Bigger flavor than before, I believe this is the 2021, which I will certainly be keeping #AmongstTheWhiskey. 2020 (Re) Review Nose: Bright spice and light sweetness. Dry vanilla layered over smooth oak. Powdered candy sweets like smarties. Some sweet tarts. Sweeter citrus, like a lemon drop. Light caramel swings in some enjoyable baking spices and a hint of some herbal tones. Light linen and leather mix well, predominantly leaning towards the linen side. Something shiny like stainless steel. Chocolate herbs pop on a light swirl. Some mature rye spice showing late in the glass. Light pepper. Palate: Candy sweets! Cinnamon red hots, cherry syrup, and the drying presence of those smarties. Hmmm, molasses and syrupy stewed herbs. Very interesting. Oaky for sure, but balanced with a sweetness that keeps it from becoming drying past the gums. Leaning heavily on the lemongrass freight train, this doesn't evolve as rapidly as the other glass. It takes its time, weaving a sweet and slow story together that is certainly meant to be savored. The finish is long and slow, building up from molasses and pears into a rye spice crescendo that leaves you looking forward to the next sweet sip. Final Ranking: 2021 > 2020; although the candy profile of 2020 has its merits, I enjoy the higher level of complexity I am getting out of 2021.

I've got an interesting new distillery to put on your whiskey radar. Middle West Spirits out of Columbus, Ohio is serving up well-aged craft whiskey with few frills and full transparency these days. The bottle is adorned with all the marketing accoutrements you would expect, such as "small batch craft", "smooth full bodied four grain", and "handcrafted in the heart of the Ohio River Valley". They lean heavily on their local grain to glass techniques, and all of these blurbs are surprisingly resonant if you dig deeper on the brand. I get the sense that this is a pretty legit operation. This "Michelone Reserve bottling" pays homage to the grandfather who inspired it all. They use Speyside bourbon cooperage in Jackson, Ohio and distill on a 68 inch diameter column still that runs 68 feet tall. They're a surprisingly large operation that seems to be just hitting stride this year. I'd like to thank Middle West for providing Amongst the Whiskey writer Jes Smyth with this bottle, which she passed along to me for review with no strings attached. I'd like to say I'm just exploring this for my third tasting, the norm for AmongstTheWhiskey.com reviews according to our editorial policy, but I'm actually three-quarters of the way through this bottle. It was put out on the table at my last Texas Hold'em table, and few could withstand its powerful allure as I continued to rake chips into my pile. My best friend Zach, who is more of a whiskey novice, was waxing poetic about how good it was. I readily agreed. So now we're here, with a bottle nearing empty and no review to show for it... but an empty bottle is kind of a review in and of itself, isn't it? I usually only bring and share my best, so if you're in my company and a bottle is getting low, you know it's going to be good. Such is the case for Middle West's cask strength wheated bourbon. Let's get to the real notes, shall we? Company on Label:   Middle West Spirits Whiskey Type:  Straight wheated bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 68% non-GMO yellow corn, 16% Ohio soft red winter wheat, 11% dark pumpernickel rye, and 5% malted 2-row barley Proof:  122.2 ° Age:  4 years Further identification:   This is batch 001 of the cask strength wheated bourbon (four grain) series, one of three new flagship offerings from Middle West, now available at an MSRP of $69.99 Nose:  Lovely barrel funk escapes the glass en masse upon first lifting it to my nose. Sweet caramel, molasses, and waffle breading jump out at me before more subtle graham cracker and cinnamon layer in behind. If you're not a proof hound, this one's probably going to make you cough a little on deep inhales. Nosing this reminds me a bit of a slightly younger Stagg Jr., and I'm totally here for that. There's subtle allspice, black pepper, and dank woodshop aromas galore. It's bold but not out of line in any way. Time for a taste. Returning the nose after a few sips brings forth sweet Whoppers, funky toffee, praline, and the dense, ephemeral beauty that inherently comes with well-aged whiskey. I'm liking whatever the Speyside cooperage is doing for these guys quite a bit. As my glass runs dry, I find subtle hints of grilled pineapple, honey, and Cherry Garcia ice cream. Palate:  My first sip presents like your first bite of cinnamon coffee cake. It's soft, flaky, and doughy in the mouth before the perfect balance of sweet and spice trickles from front to back across the tongue. The lingering mouthfeel is a touch of wild mint on the tip of the tongue and Werther's everywhere else. Another sip shows off caramel popcorn, Crunch chocolate bar, and peanut butter granola—I really dig everything about this whole profile. Overall everything is surprisingly subtle for the proof point. Cherry syrup and grenadine linger long after a taste. At the end of a long savored glass, I taste beignet, ganache, and raspberry tart. It lingers long into the 4th quarter, and I swoon with every sip. TL;DR: This might just replace your favorite allocated bourbon Rating:  4.5/5 ( Absolutely delicious. Enthusiast grade pour. ) This feels like the perfect fall whiskey, bottled at just the right proof. No water necessary . I'd say this falls somewhere between my enjoyment of Weller Antique and your average Stagg Jr batch. While the nose and finish match the vibe of Junior pretty well, something in the middle presents just a little bit lacking but is still very clearly crushable. It's certainly a whiskey worth visiting—and then revisiting—as cooler weather comes knockin' in the Northeast. Grab yourself some Middle West Spirits today ! WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

“Life, if well lived, is long enough.” – Seneca In the era of glamour shots of unopened bottles, few dare to tell the tale of what's inside. When I saw this bottle on the shelf for a decent enough price, I knew it was going to be my Christmas dram to share with my dad, who appreciates a pour of whiskey from me every once in a while. Not only did we get to enjoy it over a remarkable game of cribbage, but I also got to share it with my cousin the next day and even sipped it with my mom the day after that! Put those three tastings together, and you've got a well-formed opinion on a whiskey worth writing about. If nothing else, let this be a reminder for you to open those bottles: my experience in sharing those pours goes far beyond the words on this page. In the end, I am still a whiskey writer, so I triangulated those experiences and sat down for one final taste of the 2025 release of Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year wheated bourbon. Company on Label:  Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery (Buffalo Trace), Frankfort, Kentucky Whiskey Type:  Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  Undisclosed wheated bourbon mash bill Proof:  107° Age:  10 years MSRP:   $150 Buy online:   Frootbat Further identification:  The 2025 release of Old Rip Van Winkle is part of the annual allocated whiskey release that Buffalo Trace does in the fall of each year Nose:  Cherry, fluffy cotton candy, juicy orange, and sour sweet tarts lead the way on this immediately enjoyable pour. Entenmann's raspberry cheese Danish aromas build with a little time and patience. After a sip, fun dip chalkiness comes in like those old-school sugar straws. Poking around further, I find the glaze on a bundt cake as well as a vintage antique shop filled with old vinyl. After a long rest, linen, lemon poppy seed, and black tea build well. Late in the glass is consistent with tingly black pepper and oodles of lemon tones. Ginger, allspice, leather, pear, and light cream tones offer nuance as the remainder of the pour is slowly savored. The empty glass smells of light linen and anise. Palate:  My first sip is easy as can be, with oodles of cherry and mixed berries jumping out of the glass. Each taste leaves a solid mouth coating with syrupy sherry sweetness hanging around in every crevice it can find. Ginger snap cookies show up poppy on subsequent sips. A long, savoring swish is filled with cherry cordial and maple sugar. This glass is a little skiddy at times, slumping flat in lulled moments, and occasionally jumping around in vibes. A black pepper dissonance is the only moment of curiosity to note. The glass performs strongest when sipped through at a quicker pace, offering a classic caramel chew and cinnamon-dusted apple cider doughnut on a medium finish. TL;DR: Consistently good whiskey that pours best when shared with family Rating:  4/5 Really good. I want one of these on my shelf. While Lot B might be my favorite mixer , the Old Rip Van Winkle release continues to be a consistent hit for my palate, landing somewhere just a touch north of the quality of the standard Weller Antique bottling. While not quite as deep as Pappy 15 year , it is noticeably less sleepy. If vibrant, exciting whiskey is more your jam, Old Rip might be a more consistent bottle for you, available at a lower price. I personally like my whiskey a little more exciting, but I also understand that quality ratings shouldn't follow personal taste preferences. If my writing suits your fancy, consider subscribing to my once-monthly newsletter . Cheers! WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With over a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

“Anything in life worth doing is worth overdoing.”  - Shane Patton Typical Maker's Mark releases get aged to taste in their traditional rickhouses for around 6 to 8 years. Maker's Mark Cellar Aged adds years to that range with a clever trick that prevents their whiskey from becoming bitter and over-oaked. By resting barrels in an isothermal limestone cave that Maker's calls their "cellar," wood interactions are slowed while oxygen continues to interact with the spirit, increasing complexity without falling into the tannin trap of hyped-aged whiskey. Finally free from the misconception that older whiskey was not possible for the distillery, the 2025 release of Cellar Aged is the oldest whiskey Maker's has ever released, with a 14 year component in the blend. The cellar is cool in every sense of the word. The dim lighting and exposed stone wall give it a rough hideout feel, somewhere a Bond villain might make their home base. When I visited back in May of 2023, the temperature inside was a full 30 degrees cooler than the outside air, a sweet relief from Kentucky's brutal summers. The property in Loretto is truly stunning. If you've never been, I highly recommend you plan a stop in next time you're visiting the Bluegrass State. I recently was able to sample the 2025 Cellar Aged thanks to the 12 day bourbon exchange that my good buddy Derek Laverriere puts on every year around Christmas time. Brian Spencer contributed this particular bottle, and I am deeply grateful to have the chance to review a whiskey I didn't otherwise get to hunt down this year. On with the review! Company on Label:   Maker's Mark Distillery , Star Hill Farm, Loretto, KY Whiskey Type:  Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley Proof / ABV:  112.9° / 56.45% Age:  11 year (a blend of 74% 11 year, 10% 13 year, and 16% 14 year barrels) MSRP:  $175 (2025) Buy Online:   Frootbat Further identification:  The 2025 release is the 3rd edition of Cellar Aged which was available in September of this year Nose:  On first lifting the glass, I find some lovely wood funk that usually only happens at high age statements for Kentucky bourbon. Rich dark chocolate tones layer in rapidly in a way that jives quite nicely with the oak. The pour needs no scapegoat for tannins, though; they're noticeably nowhere to be found—which is a check in the win column in my book. Deep inhales show off aromas of flan, vanilla biscotti, and graham cracker. With some time and air, intriguing fruit tones begin to build, reminding me of candied strawberry and yogurt malt balls. While these start subtle, they rise in prominence as a new act begins in the glass. Haribo cherry gummies take over before falling back into black pepper, allspice, and prominent oak. Vanilla and molasses remain dominant undertones as the glass continues to evolve. After a sip, all the funk is still there, though it comes across sweeter than earlier. This is further bolstered by a wonderful mocha latte aroma that just sings to me with subtle dashes of whipped cream and nutmeg, telling a pretty incredible story of quality, nuance, and craftsmanship. I can't think of another whiskey in recent memory that has matched a nosing experience quite like this. After a long rest, notes of dense fudge brownie bites are an absolute treat for the senses. Long inhales mingle in amaretto and confectioners' sugar, which support the fudge tones so well. The empty glass smells of a delicious summer camp Choco Taco. Palate:  Woah, this is bigger than I thought it was going to be based on the nose. Cherry hots come on strong before being cooled by a sweet strawberry parfait as the first sip leaves me with a big Kentucky hug. Another quick sip shows this was mostly just palate acclimation, as huge peach tones blossom on the tongue—tingly sweet like a sugary peach candy ring... Yum! Returning to the glass after a long rest results in a reintroduction to just how functionally complete this sip is. It does a multi-act performance not just on the full glass evolutions, but also on each sip. An introduction of sweet cream starts subtle, ramping up with graham cracker, peaking with a bubbling raspberry dump cobbler, and sliding back down into maraschino cherry juice before finishing with low and rumbling chocolate and almond tones. The shape of the experience resembles a bell curve (a normal distribution for my math nerds), which is the ultimate example of balance. Sipping near the bottom of the glass produces big waves of body chills as this liquid bliss forces eyes to close and lips to curl into a smile. My last sip is just as consistently great as the rest of them, reproducing the multi-act performance of cream, fruit, bread, and chocolate tones. The finish is long, leaving a rolling feeling like dough is being kneaded in my chest. It's going to take a little bit of time to wipe this smirk off my face. TL;DR: A bountiful surprise of complexity, depth, and flavor that will leave you smiling ear to ear Rating:  4.5/5 Absolutely delicious. Enthusiast grade pour. This is everything I had hoped Cellar Aged would be and more! It was one of the clear standout pours of the 12 day exchange and got very similar ratings from my 11 other tasters before I told them my thoughts. I look forward to seeing what Maker's Mark continues to improve upon with this release, as there's not much left to perfect! WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With over a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.” – Epictetus The history of Pappy Van Winkle is remarkable. It's a phoenix-from-the-ashes story when you look back at the struggling family label that managed to weather a bourbon market collapse only to go on to become one of the most sought-after whiskeys on the planet. The story begins with Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle Senior, who started as a traveling salesman for W.L. Weller & Sons in 1893. By 1935, the original Pappy was ready to open the now-legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Shively, Kentucky. Pappy ran the distillery until 1965 when he passed away at age 91. Pappy's son, Julian Van Winkle Junior, took over the business at a time when bourbon was unfortunately going dark. Demand for aged whiskey cratered as public sentiment shifted towards clear spirits like vodka and gin through the 1960s and 1970s. By 1972, facing pressure from family shareholders, Julian Jr. was forced to sell the Stitzel-Weller Distillery along with its notoriously great brands like Old Fitzgerald and Weller. One label was spared from the sale: Old Rip Van Winkle . Julian started a side hustle, J.P. Van Winkle and Son. With the Old Rip brand in hand, he bought back his own family's old whiskey barrels from the new owners and began bottling them under the Old Rip Van Winkle label as an independent bottler. We'd call this kind of business a non-distilling producer today. Due to the lack of popularity in this era, we saw a plethora of commemorative decanters come out to make the product more appealing to a wider audience. Through sheer will, passion, and ingenuity, Julian Junior successfully kept the Van Winkle name afloat through incredibly challenging years in the bourbon business. When Julian III took over in 1981, the new owners of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery ended the bottling agreement that was previously in place, leaving the family brand without a physical location to bottle their bourbon. To stay in business, Julian III decided to buy the Old Hoffman Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky in 1983. He would use this location much like his father did as a bottling and storage location for sourced whiskey instead of a pure-play distillery. Bourbon was still not back in full favor in the States, but Japan was buying well-aged American whiskey, keeping an entire industry alive. While operating out of this location, the name changed to Old Commonwealth Distillery. After weathering the storm, it was time for a comeback. With Diageo selling off old stocks of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery barrels for a mere $200 a pop, Julian III was stocking up. The 1994 release of the first 20 year old Pappy Van Winkle bourbon would go on to make the brand a global sensation. In 2002, the Van Winkles went into business with Buffalo Trace Distillery, where all Pappy Van Winkle is distilled and bottled today, though the label will still give a historical nod to the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. While there were some transition years when the whiskey was still Stitzel-Weller distillate, these stocks have long since dried up. The bottling location today is centered in Frankfort, Kentucky, which is where Buffalo Trace is located. Demand for this release today still drastically outpaces the supply, a complete turnaround from the bust era of the 70s and 80s. It seems that the phoenix is still soaring. The full production volume and bottling quantities for the 2025 release of Pappy Van Winkle 15 year bourbon remain undisclosed, which only adds to the mystique of the brand. Despite being a bottle that most would hoard and never open for fear of missing the perfect occasion, I open my bottles . They taste better that way, you know. Having had this pour three times now, tasted neat on a sober palate each time, I'm ready to offer you my full review. Company on Label:  Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery (Buffalo Trace), Frankfort, Kentucky Whiskey Type:  Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  Undisclosed wheated bourbon mash bill Proof:  107° Age:  15 years MSRP:   $240 Buy online:   Frootbat Further identification:  This is the 2025 release of Pappy 15, as confirmed by the "L25" laser code on the bottom edge of the bottle Nose:  As soon as this whiskey is in the glass, a sweet cherry aroma can be found from about a foot away. Raising the rim of my glencairn to my nostrils, I discover raspberry vinaigrette dressing over a bed of iceberg lettuce. This slightly strange note reminds me a bit of rancio, but it's not too deep into the late stages of detritus here. Deep inhales normalize the profile to cherry skins, allspice, and plenty of peppery oak. The salad dressing vibe returns but quickly splits off into just the raspberry component. Classic bourbon caramel is here in spades. Nuances of molasses and milk chocolate complement the consistent cherry aroma that has ebbed in and out of awareness since the start of the glass. After another 15 minutes of rest in the glass, this blooms into a much bigger and functionally complete whiskey experience. I find a delightful red velvet cake aroma layered with buttercream frosting and, of course, a cherry on top. Breathing this in gives off easy notes of toffee and crème fraîche before a bit of cinnamon heat begins to tingle the nostrils. After a sip, the caramel tones only get stronger and more pronounced while french toast and confectioners' sugar layer in nicely. Toasted almond and nutmeg find their mark late in the pour. The empty glencairn smells of worn leather, dry tobacco, and light anise. Palate:  My first taste is sweet and easy, offering an obviously oak-influenced bourbon full of rich ripe cherries. Another sip, and the wonderful raspberry sweetness from the nose translates well, without the aforementioned greenery accoutrements. With an incredibly easy-drinking demeanor, the fruit tones have a lot of room to play. I envision cherry, raspberry, plum, and green apple all arranged on stage, spinning around each other in a musical performance on my tongue. The linger offers more apple tones accompanied by a light chocolate layer. Picking through patiently, I find elderflower liqueur and a faint sprig of mint—and I do mean faint here—almost barely perceptible except when chewing through the linger. The milk chocolate tones that sweep through rapidly can easily make you miss some of the more nuanced subtleties here. Sipping late in the glass elevates pear tarte tatin with a nice dash of brown sugar. On the final taste of this glass, I find a neat full-circle tie-in back to the cherry and oak start before a medium finish of raisin, vanilla ice cream, and milk duds round things out. TL;DR: Everything about this bourbon is nice, but it leaves me feeling a little sleepy Rating:  4/5 Really good. I want one of these on my shelf. If you're looking for the refined, smooth, well-aged sipping bourbon, then this is the glass slipper for you. It's quite enjoyable, ultimately fully embodying the word "nice" from start to finish. Thinking about the broader whiskey landscape, this bourbon lands a bit sleepy, missing a bit of the wow factor that other bourbons have achieved . While this is a solid bourbon, I have had equally memorable experiences with other bottles. I recently bought a bottle of a non-chill filtered Weller Antique 107 store pick . The Weller Antique pick is bottled at the same proof but is wildly more exciting. Expect a more viscous mouth coating and vibrant fruit to show up potent and delicious on the Antique, while you will find far more oak, leather, caramel, and subtle woodspice on the obviously older Pappy 15 year. In general, you might be surprised to discover there isn't that much daylight between the pours flavor-wise. All that said, I also compared the 2025 release to two other Pappy 15 year bottlings. Out of the 2021, the 2023, and the 2025 releases I tasted side by side, I like the 2025 the best. I want to also take a little time to set some of the record straight from my last review , where I feel like I was a little too harsh—unduly so. Pappy is far from crappy, and the people who built the brand and continue to shepherd it to the best of their ability deserve all the credit. I still hold the opinion that there are other whiskeys out there in this same 4/5 rating range that are much easier to find, and part of my ardent perspective on the 2021 Pappy Van Winkle 15 year came from that passionate belief. I hope my honest perspective and willingness to learn through experience are something you appreciate, my dear reader. If this level of transparency is something you appreciate, consider subscribing to my newsletter or sharing this review with a friend! WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With over a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

“Thy duty, winged flame of Spring, Is but to love, and fly, and sing.” – James Russell Lowell, The Nest Count me amongst the lucky few getting to taste the 2025 release of Still Austin's yearlong project to bring us another edition of Tanager, their take on a cigar blend. This rendition, however, was done alongside the queen of this category: Nancy "The Nose" Fraley. Nancy doesn't do it the new school way; no, she does it her way. Having studied under masters in the Cognac and Armagnac regions of France, Nancy learned of the "Petites Eaux" technique as well as many other old-world spirit production methods. When you bring that kind of skill to the innovators at Still Austin, you've got a recipe for a really good time. The Still Austin website describes this synergy, saying: To create our most premium offering to date, Nancy and John [Schrepel] combined our finest 6-year old high rye bourbon with pure Texas water and aged it to at least 50 proof for at least one year before adding it to the base whiskey for final proofing. This ancient blending technique, known as Petites Eaux (small waters), has been used for centuries in the Cognac and Armagnac regions of France. Petites Eaux creates a rich and complex flavor profile, adding more caramelized wood sugars and length to the palate of the final product. This is similar to the standing practice of ‘barrel rinsing’ used amongst many bourbon producers, but utilizes a much longer aging process. For Tanager, the result is a cigar blend whiskey with a remarkably sweet and soft finish. As if the whiskey wasn't cool enough, you have to check out the custom artwork that Marc Burkhardt did specifically for this release. This was a crucial part of that yearlong process , and the final piece is truly breathtaking. I am lucky enough to have this signed print for my whiskey study. With all the grains used in this project being Texas grown, this is truly an exercise in terroir. If you've had some other examples of Texas whiskey, you know this is a wildly raucous region for aging spirits. I'm curious if all these innovative production methods will translate in a meaningful way to the final product, so let's dive in on a review, shall we? I'd like to thank Still Austin for providing a sample for the purposes of this review with no strings attached. Company on Label:  Still Austin Whiskey Type:  Cigar blend bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  A blend of 53% blue corn, 25% red corn, and 22% white corn bourbon: Blue corn: 26% blue corn, 25% white corn, 44% rye, 5% malted barley Red corn: 36% red corn, 34% white corn, 25% rye, 5% barley White corn: 70% white corn, 25% rye and 5% malted barley Resultant blend: 13.78% blue corn, 37.15% white corn, 9% red corn, 35.07% rye, and 5% malted barley Proof:  107.5° Age:  6 years MSRP:  $149 Further identification:  Bottled non-chill filtered and available only at the distillery in Austin, Texas and at select retailers while supplies last Nose:  The glass opens with a bouquet of hay aromas: chamomile, almond, and tobacco are all level and cohesive. It's a vanillin-forward dram, but not in a traditional bourbon sense... think biscotti, bread pudding, and muffin tones all accompanied by that layer of creamy and floral vanilla. On longer inhales, darker tones of coffee, allspice, and cast iron develop nicely. Well-aged oak comes across with a copious amount of lignin breakdown, producing the aroma of fresh linen bedsheets. Coming back from a sip, a bit of booziness is finally apparent as the aromas shift towards butterscotch, honey, and crème brûlée. This whiskey is certainly one of those multi-act performances I love to explore, as I suddenly find a hint of light pine aromas that takes me right back to the stand of trees I was hunting in earlier today. Breathe in a little deeper, and there is a warm apple pie to be found. Late in the pour, the featured centerpiece of vanilla returns in droves to a widening smile. The empty glass smells of whipped cream and cinnamon. Palate:  Wow, I'm immediately impressed by how balanced this delivers across all the different taste receptors. An uber-creamy, oily mouthfeel completely coats every bit of the mouth, leaving behind no heat. Buttercream frosting, vanilla pound cake, and a hint of lemon come together beautifully. I am reluctant to say there is no linger here, but it's just different than any whiskey experience you might expect. It lands so cleanly on the palate with a gorgeous mouthfeel and a faint reminder of the flavors you just experienced; it really urges you towards another sip to reenter the experience of sweet joy again. In doing so, slivered almonds in unsalted butter give an intriguing depth. The finish is beginning to mount with subsequent sips, suggesting this is a session dram meant to be savored straight through rather than jumping around in a comparison tasting. Working towards the bottom of the glass, I turn up peach dump cobbler and apple pie. My last sip is a powerhouse of flavor as cannoli and nutmeg slow dance into the night. TL;DR: A wildly intriguing and sui generis bourbon built for balance and mouthfeel Rating:  4/5 Really good. I want one of these on my shelf. Who else but Nancy Fraley, the nonpareil blender of our generation, could pull off something as fantastic as this? All the intriguing details pulled from the Texas terroir are shining through in this release, but in a way I don't think anyone has ever tasted before. If you're on the fence about Texas bourbon, you need to make this release your next sip. WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With over a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

Barrell Bourbon has returned to celebrate the new year with its annual release. Featuring a unique blend of bourbons from seven states and bottled at cask strength, this will be the 9th New Year bottling to date. For those mathematically challenged, like myself, the first release was in 2017. Now, if you ask me, these releases might as well be the Times Square New Year's Eve ball drop of blended offerings. It's a relatively well-known release, it's typically a crowd pleaser, and when it comes to blending, Barrell may be at the top of the top in that nuanced process. If you're unfamiliar with Barrell Bourbon, check out the reviews in recent years right here on Amongst The Whiskey . I should also note that, amongst all those reviews, Barrell's New Year releases have yet to appear. Through the generosity of Barrell Bourbon Company, which provided this bottle, and in accordance with the editorial review , I offer my take on this year's New Year's release. Company on Label:  Barrell Craft Spirits Whiskey Type:  A blend of straight bourbon whiskeys Mash Bill Percentages: 70% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley, 1% wheat Proof:  110.3 ° Age:  5 years (a blend of 5-16 year bourbon) MSRP: $84.99 Further Identification:  Blended from whiskey distilled in Indiana (5, 6, 8, 11 & 13-year), Kentucky (5, 6 & 10-year), Tennessee (8, 10,& 16-year), Wyoming (9 & 13-year), Maryland (7 & 8-year), New York (5-year), and Ohio (5-year) Nose:  Upon lifting the glass to my nose, I'm greeted with a sweetness that reminds me of the sugary cereals I wasn't allowed to eat as a child, like Fruit Loops mixed with Captain Crunch. Soon after my nostalgia evaporates, I find cinnamon, cream soda, vanilla bean, and a hint of paper. This smells soft, deceptively so, for the proof I know this pour to be. Swirling the liquid releases apple pie filling, a hint of clove, and a question mark in my head. Why is this so darn sweet? Returning to the nose, after a reset, I find a bouquet of fruit, strawberries, apples, and oranges sweetened by vanilla frosting. I'm curious what a sip will do to the aromas, and I find out after a few tastes: everything is sharper, with the proof now shining through. Cherry syrup and vanilla cupcakes overwhelm my left nostril, while the right is zeroed in on the cinnamon spice. I can't help but feel like this could be more, even though the blend has a lot going on already. As I approach the bottom of my glencarin, the alcohol becomes more apparent. The empty glass smells of graham crackers, cocoa powder, and dried flowers. Palate:  The first sip is all heat and tingles, with a flash of vanilla and fruit. The nose misled me into forgetting this is cask strength! A second sip welcomes quite a bit of spice, cinnamon, and ginger, most notably, along with baked apples, vanilla crème, and old-fashioned wafer cookies. The flavors swing between sweet and spice, with quite the Kentucky hug, and a deep, slow-developing warmth in my chest. Additional sips are a layering of fruit, with the sweet tones overtaking now. Somehow, my taste buds have dulled to one note: sweet, a favorable outcome for those who prefer that note, but unfortunately, I find myself, once again, wanting more out of this pour. TL;DR: A sweet forward sip paired best with ease in mind Rating:  3/5 Middle of the road whiskey. An average showing. There are undoubtedly preconceived notions that a New Year release should have all the bells and whistles and sparkly accessories. However, I have spent a number of New Year's Eves snuggled up on my couch with a cat on my lap, a fire in my hearth, and the television tuned to Times Square's countdown. Not every New Year's is meant to be loud and rambunctious. This particular release, for me, offers the space to celebrate in the comfort of whatever you find cozy. WRITTEN BY: JES SMYTH W ith what started as a genuine curiosity for the “water of life,” fiction writer and published author Jes Smyth has nurtured her enthusiasm for whiskey ever since. From learning the vast history of whiskey making to celebrating the passion of the industry, she tastes each sip with intention and purpose while expressing the intricacies of whiskey in a relatable and heartfelt way. She is thrilled to be a contributing writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com  and hopes her words will resonate with those ready to explore the beautiful world of whiskey.