Knob Creek Smoked Maple

Smell from a distance is like pancakes with a lot of syrup. Taste has a little burn but more maple. The finish is warm and slightly smoky. A score of 3.5 means it's difficult to rate as it's excellent as a dessert. I wouldn't just drink this regularly. It might be good in mixed drinks or for cooking.

Very sweet maple on the initial taste, with traces of vanilla. The bourbon characteristics at least share the spotlight, if not take a secondary role to the dessert-like quality of the drink. The syrupy, thick texture on the palate almost deceives the senses into perceiving it as more oily than it is. It could genuinely be served over vanilla ice cream. This is a specialized pour, but skillfully crafted for its specific purpose.

NEAT This genuinely smells and tastes like a bourbon blended with standard maple syrup. I cannot tolerate it neat because I don't consume maple syrup by itself, so I incorporated it into my hot toddies when unwell until the bottle was depleted. If you appreciate flavored spirits from Ol’ Smoky Moonshine, you will probably like this one.

It has a tarnished brass color and is quite sticky. Extremely syrupy. This smells like a sugar shack in the mountains of Virginia. I recognize it's bourbon, but maple syrup is its defining characteristic. It's a delightful holiday treat and would be excellent with pancakes.

Abundant maple notes. I like it but wish it had more whiskey character and less maple. A touch of smokiness would elevate it further. Even a bit more than a hint of maple would be welcome. Still, it's enjoyable for what it is. Effortless to drink. Extremely smooth.

This is like a dessert. The aroma of maple syrup and vanilla hits you immediately, sparking sensations. It tastes like a buttery pancake drizzled with Canadian maple syrup. Next time you crave dessert, pour yourself a glass of this neat.