Cotswolds Bourbon Cask

Continuing my journey through Cotswolds expressions, I'm trying their Bourbon cask, bottled at 59.1% ABV. The nose starts with powdered sugar-dusted fried bananas, caramelized mangos, and vanilla crème brûlée, followed by milk chocolate-covered espresso beans, pipe tobacco, and toasted coconut. This then gives way to sautéed apples, dried apricots, and candied orange peel, transitioning to light baking spices and mild toasted oak with a medium alcohol burn. The taste presents a medium mouthfeel, beginning with creamy tropical fruits, powdered sugar-dusted fried bananas, dried mangos, and vanilla angel food cake. This is followed by a spicy mocha, freshly lit pipe tobacco, and toasted coconut, then sautéed apples, mandarin oranges, and morello cherry jam. It concludes with light baking spices, black pepper, and mild toasted oak, with a medium alcohol burn. The finish is medium in length, with creamy tropical fruits, morello cherry jam, dark chocolate-covered coconut, black pepper, light baking spices, and mildly bitter black tea. Another excellent dram from Cotswolds. The tropical fruits are prominent with creamy sweetness, but underscored by the bourbon cask which has added subtle earthy notes and traditional bourbon citrus fruits. There's a mild bitter spice that detracts slightly from the experience, but it's otherwise well-balanced and drinks much more easily than the stated proof would suggest.

A strong alcohol burn slightly detracted from it, but it was generally quite pleasant.

A peppery sensation and intense burn are somewhat overpowering.

A good deal of warmth and sting. Quite creamy, unexpectedly.