Ben Holladay 6 Year Rickhouse Proof Small Batch Reserve

Aroma - Intense and direct. It's bright initially but has a dark profile providing a solid base. (Honestly, quite amazing) Receiving many baking spices with vanilla. It's very much like a fall dessert. An earthy/oaky profile is also emerging, which I personally appreciate. Taste - Wow. That's excellent. I detect many dessert flavors here. Similar to the aroma, it has a strong fall-like character. Like a caramel apple with vanilla frosting lightly dusted with baking spices. It even delivers rich butterscotch notes on the finish along with hints of bubblegum. Indulgent and rich. Overall - The finish and consistency are incredible. The lengthy finish, in my view, truly makes this bourbon stand out. The caramel and subtle butterscotch flavor seem to endure indefinitely, clinging to the palate. This is genuinely a superb offering, and for the price, it's a must-purchase. It drinks far better than its price suggests and seems much lower in proof than it is, in my opinion. Easily a 5.0 considering the price.

NEAT AROMA - Apples, Caramel, Brown Sugar, Baking Spices, Oak TASTE - Compared to the 6-year Bottled-In-Bond, this offers a much darker and richer palate. It's less sweet but still full of flavor and character. The increased proof highlights more notes of oak, cinnamon, and brown sugar. It's more intricate than the Bottled in Bond and more engaging. FINISH - Baking Spices and Oak; Long WORTH BUYING? - Yes! Recommended, especially if you enjoy the bottled in bond version. BUY AGAIN? - Yes, I anticipate enjoying future batches.

I found it necessary to allow this one to breathe a bit. Immediately after opening, it was intense, so a short waiting period was the correct approach. The aroma reveals some nutty scents, with a touch of cinnamon and allspice. I am trying this neat, so the taste offered me something akin to almond powder, cinnamon, and pepper. The finish was extended with increased intensity. I added a small amount of water, and the heat dissipated, revealing more nutty/sawdust notes on the aroma and slightly less pepper on the taste. Pleasant.

The aroma presents a sweet tart mixed with clove, nutmeg, vanilla, caramel, and green apple. The taste hits with minerality immediately. The baking spices follow through with a hint of sour apple, cardamom, and oak. The finish is lengthy and spicy with more caramel, vanilla, and oak. The sweet tart minerality vanishes on the finish. Comparable to a Dickel BiB experience but superior!

Aroma: Fruity notes of apple with a touch of cinnamon. Palate: Experiences green apple, oak, and baking spices toward the end. It initially coats the tongue with a soft, buttery texture, then warms up to a lingering, slightly floral finish that endures. In conclusion, a well-executed pour for its proof. I would purchase it again.

A brief impression from the St. Louis Whiskey Festival: With an aroma of apple pie and a rich, luscious body, this new bottling was previously exclusively available at the distillery's retail shop. This barrel-proof version surpasses their standard offering.