J. Rieger Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottled in Bond

The aroma is like mahogany or walnut furniture polish with some dried fruit and toffee, plus a pleasant rye edge, suggesting it will be a welcome change from the overly sweet bourbons I've recently tried. Honestly, it feels like I'm about to taste my dining room table. The palate lives up to the promise with abundant oak, burnt sugar, leather, and some flavors reminiscent of barrel-aged Manhattans tucked away. Cinnamon and clove emerge before the lengthy, oak-forward finish. The prominent wood notes make it worth comparing to Woodford Double Oaked and other heavily oaked bourbons. It holds up well against King's County, another 6-year Bottled-in-Bond with malt in its mash bill, which costs twice as much.

Nose of aged mahogany cabinets and grape chews. Notes of brandy and Jamaican rum funk. Almonds, tannic cinnamon. Milk chocolates and oak in the finish. Distinctive. Provides an enjoyable experience but leans towards a drink for a specific mood.