Beyond Distilling Barrel Proof Bourbon Whiskey

The aroma is caramel, brown sugar, and ethanol. Letting it sit in the glass doesn't significantly reduce the heat. The palate is sweet, spicy, and intense, beginning with a burst of vanilla, rich caramel, and (briefly) plantains, before quickly transitioning to green peppercorns and concluding with dry, bitter oak. There's an alcohol burn from beginning to end. Adding a generous amount of water slightly tempers the heat but diminishes the caramel's richness. Overall, it's not a beneficial exchange. The whisky is clearly young and shows promise if it were to spend a few more years in a cask. This was an impulse buy as this particular store has a strong history with their barrel selections, and I'm drawn to new distillers from places I've previously lived. Try it at a bar, but wait for a Bottled-in-Bond or a longer-aged version before purchasing a bottle.