Breaking & Entering American Whiskey

This offers more depth on the nose than the other bottling, with added maltiness upfront. It smells sweet, yet still immature. However, it doesn't smell unpleasant. It possesses considerable complexity, with the maltiness present in a light manner and the sweetness enduring throughout. The sweetness and malty richness are surprisingly well-matched for such a young spirit. There are numerous floral notes and plenty of vanilla, but it remains palatable in most situations. It's a lightly flavored spirit and certainly not a personal favorite, but it generally tastes good. The flavors typically harmonize well, and the palate is light yet engaging. The flavor profile exhibits a respectable level of complexity at its best, though at other times it simply tastes light. Nevertheless, this is an intriguing spirit worth trying. To be sure, it lacks the richness of another bottling, but it also avoids the tart dryness and offers more complexity. It's difficult to categorize this spirit precisely, but I would rank it above the other bottling and another popular brand. It doesn't have the richness and gravitas of another well-known bottling. How does it compare to another specific brand? I'm uncertain if it's truly inferior to that other bottling, but my palate feels overwhelmed.

Aroma: Sweetness like candied fruit – though not excessively so. Honeyed, toasted cereal grains. It brought to mind the scent and taste of a bowl of Cheerios with white sugar and sliced bananas, but without milk. Black tea and leather are in the background. Baking spices and a touch of dried herbs are present. Taste: Honeyed cereal grains, vanilla, and cream. Oak. Tannins that have an almost salty quality. Bananas and berries. Licorice with a hint of mint. Medium body. Finish: The bitterness emerges first, followed by vanilla, nuts, and earthy notes. A slightly sour/lactic tang appears. Dill and licorice become noticeable along with some black pepper, and then everything gradually fades. Finish is medium-short. Additional thoughts: I don't recall this one being so unconventional. I suspect my palate might be off tonight, but there are layers and depth here that I don't remember. It's definitely worth trying if you're looking for something accessible that still offers interesting depth and complexity.

Nose: Vanilla and rye spice are dominant. Oak, brown sugar. Fennel/herbaceous anise, cardamom, bready. Black pepper. A slight floral perfume note. The slightest hint of brine. Banana, red and green grape. Palate: Vanilla, oak, brown sugar, banana, strawberry, watermelon. Cream cheese frosting. Slight tannin. Bubblegum. Fennel, cardamom, clove are present, but much less than on the nose. Maybe a hint of barrel char. The finish has a slight negroni-like quality. Other notes: This is an unusual one. The nose suggests a decent rye, while the palate is like a decent bourbon. The balance of flavors is mostly good, though the characteristics are mostly in the low and mid palate notes. Nothing really bright and vibrant. It doesn't grab your attention like some other spirits might, though there's enough here to explore. It reminds me a bit of what's coming out of Splinter Group. A good enough bottle for the price that I might buy it again. Maybe.

It contains equal parts rye, corn, malted barley, and wheat. It has a burnished, chestnut oloroso color. This required some time to settle after opening. However, once it did, it almost felt too uniform – too refined. The rye is the most prominent element on the nose for me. It's very bright with abundant orange zest, orange blossom, rose water, and rye spice. There are also subtle caramel and vanilla notes that resemble the somewhat artificial sweetness of mass-produced taffy. On the palate, the rye remains strong with significant herbal notes, but there's also a malty sweetness, orange peel, and abundant pear. The finish consists of sugared pears, cinnamon, maple, vanilla cream, pecans, and brown sugar. It's a very clean, well-crafted, and focused spirit from a producer that clearly understands how to make eau de vie and maximize fruit flavors in a spirit. I truly liked it, but I can see it not appealing to many bourbon drinkers seeking more intensity and less sophistication.

The aroma begins with a vibrant, tart burst reminiscent of Sour Patch Kids, evolving into subtle salted butter on toasted dark bread. It then reveals notes of pears, peaches, and apples, transitioning to spearmint, forest floor, and mild oak with a moderate alcohol sting. The palate has a light body, starting with a floral and fruity blend that quickly shifts to a pronounced chalky and bitter character, featuring burnt pine cones and roasted cacao nibs. It leaves a dry, slightly puckering sensation with a moderate alcohol burn. The finish is of medium duration, presenting a mix of ash, sourness, and bitterness. Initially, upon opening the sample and taking a sip, I strongly disliked it, but with each subsequent taste, it grew on me. It feels young, with an unusual sour fruit and burning woods flavor profile. However, for the $30 cost, it offers a reasonably enjoyable, budget-friendly experience. Much gratitude to a friend for the sample.

Wow! This is fantastic. They say crime doesn't pay, but son, keep taking this stuff. It's pure gold. The first taste of spice and honey hits you right away. Pepper comes in halfway down, finishing with a nice warmth, almost like cinnamon. Maybe nutmeg. Add a little water, and butter toffee and spice explode in your throat. The water calms the heat, but criminals need fire to fuel their thievery. This is excellent and a great value. Go grab a bottle now.