Broken Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon

This required two assessments to be fully evaluated. My initial impression upon opening was that the whiskey was unbalanced, rough, and excessively tannic. My aromatic notes initially included strong vanilla, honey, green apple, and abundant pepper and oak. A very spicy nose. The initial tasting revealed the product to be very harsh, young, and unbalanced. I didn't care for it much. As I allowed the bottle to breathe and the oxygen to work its magic, the flavors opened up tremendously. I now pour it through a wine aerator to really let the oxygen work before drinking it, and the result is splendid. The profile is now consistent on every tasting. New notes: Nose - still has a lot of vanilla and honey, but now there's an overwhelming freshness of orange and lemon. The oak and pepper are still noticeable but less astringent. Taste - Caramel, burnt sugar, toffee, and vanilla are immediately apparent on the palate, with pepper and alcohol present at the back of the throat. The finish is long and flavorful. There is much to enjoy with each sip, and there is now much more than just burn. This bottle just needs air to open up, and it's a different experience. Overall: Nose 4/5 Taste: 4/5 Overall 4/5 Repurchase: Yes Type: Friday Night Pour

This smells like a classic bourbon, with notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel. There are some other subtle flavors, perhaps bitter orange or an underripe apricot? It's not unpleasant. The aroma carries through to the taste – this isn't an overly complex pour, featuring caramel, vanilla, baking spice, and good oak. I don't find the oak to be off-putting at all. The finish is long but doesn't burn the back of the palate; it's warm and lingers as a 115 proof bourbon should. The real selling point is the value – a 115 proof good bourbon for under $40. There's not much else that compares.

The nose is heavy on vanilla with underlying oak and woody stave notes. The first sip delivers a quick burst of oak and black pepper, followed by a leathery finish with a very pleasant lingering warmth as it goes down. For a higher proof, this is good neat. With an ice cube, dark chocolate emerges from the depths, close to the surface. Ice significantly softens the peppery burn, making this a dangerous drink. It's enjoyable to sip regardless of how you drink it!

On the nose I detect heavy vanilla, oak, and a hint of white chocolate. The first sip has low-level spice that gradually builds and lingers. The high proof and significant corn content contribute to a full mouthfeel that lasts longer than typical. The flavor is mostly just spice, with detectable but not prominent oak, leather, and hints of char. Adding ice improves it for me, softening the burn and bringing out the leather, tobacco, oak, char, and vanilla in the finish.

The nose presents straw, honey, orange, and bread dough. The palate has bread, orange, honey, pecans, and dried fruit, with a rough texture. The expert review's trail mix comparison makes sense, though not the chrysanthemum buds. A short, tannic, spicy finish with a mild citrus note. I can't say I'm a big fan.

Nose: cinnamon, cherries, butterscotch Taste: smooth. Starts with a burn and rye. Notes of clove and cinnamon. Ends with a bit of corn Finish: medium long with some bitter tannin. Concludes with some...