Cream of Kentucky 12.3 Years Old

Appearance: Chestnut / Tawny Smell: Cherry | Oak | Vanilla A wonderfully aromatic smell that is extremely welcoming and balanced. No trace of ethanol, but a gentle sweetness. One of the superior "smells" I have encountered that keeps getting better over time. Taste: Medium-light mouthfeel. Caramel and vanilla notes appear very fast and dominate the underlying sweetness and oak detected on the smell. A gradual ethanol heat emerges but never overwhelms the taste. Aftertaste: The warmth toward the end of the taste dissipates, leaving you with a lasting aftertaste of vanilla, caramel, and oak that leaves your mouth slightly dry. Almost a little bitter from the astringent sensation. This is less noticeable as the bourbon evolves and probably even more so with a bit of water or ice.

The aroma features bananas and vanilla, with the palate mirroring this while adding oak. The finish is long, leaving a tingle and warmth, concluding with toffee and hard candy. The value is debatable, as it's very pricey even at retail. However, it's good enough for me to repurchase.

A fantastic expression from a particular distillery, aged over 12 years! Scent: too breezy to discern much. Palate: remarkably smooth, fruity, with some sweetness, graham cracker notes, suggesting a blended whiskey. Caramel and cinnamon are present, with a long finish showing a hint of spice. Outstanding. Subtle vanilla emerges.