Batch 206 Old Log Cabin Single Barrel (7 Years)

Rating: 14/23 Nose: This is much richer and more full-bodied than the standard Old Log Cabin. It actually smells like a rum, with sweetness, tropical fruits, and even a hint of smoky fireworks. It's challenging to distinguish specific aromas, perhaps due to being served in a shot glass. There's also some caramel. I wish I could identify the particular tropical fruits. Palate: Sweet with caramel, fruits, and vanilla, followed by spices. It features more black pepper and ginger compared to the regular Old Log Cabin's white pepper. The higher proof is a significant advantage here. I detect mineral notes, but they don't substantially detract from the fullness at this higher proof. Some apple notes emerge from the minerals. Banana is the primary fruit I perceive, perhaps slightly underripe but not overly so. This tastes much less like rum than the nose suggested, though I do detect some rum-like qualities with a touch of fireworks and tropical fruitiness. Finish: The sweetness has mostly vanished, replaced by minerals, some vanilla, strong woodiness, and a bit of smoke. For the most part, it's numbing from the spice. - Conclusion - This is certainly an improvement over the regular Old Log Cabin, but it remains quite hot, and the complexity hasn't developed significantly from aging. I find it an enjoyable sipper, but it leaves room for improvement. Its maturity seems consistent with its age, and its complexity is somewhat underwhelming. I believe I would prefer sipping Russell's Reserve 10. Therefore, giving this a 15 would be generous. It's far from bad, so I couldn't rate it below a 12. I'm leaning towards a 14. The styles are quite different, but this seems competitive with Wild Turkey 101. So, regrettably, this is not worth the price.

It has a smoky finish and is quite hot for its age. The spirit is also rather one-note.