Ko'olau Old Pali Road Whiskey

⌚: Opened. Allowed to rest for about 5 minutes. 👀: Pale gold with minimal viscosity, reflecting light; 👃: Pervasive vanilla bean and oak aromas, faint smoke on the tail, even evokes the Hawaiian air where this spirit is finished; 👅: Quite delicate, tastes like vanilla bean ice cream, a little smoke, some ripe cherries, perhaps even a hint of coconut; 🏁: Lacks depth, brief ending so you can switch drinks if desired.

Very similar to Mellow Corn, but younger, lower proof, and four times the price. The new make was great, though. Ideally, they would age in full-sized barrels for at least four years. Currently, they use 20-liter barrels for less than two years before blending with sourced corn whiskey. They have the potential to produce an excellent product, but they aren't there yet.

The aroma brings to mind turpentine, with a youthful character despite being mixed with Kentucky Bourbon. Notes of banana, plum, and oak are present. I anticipate future bottlings will exclusively feature whiskey made at the Hawaii distillery, matured for a minimum of three years.

It has notes of vanilla bean, cream, a hint of clove, and perhaps a bit of coconut. As another person noted, it does evoke a tropical island feel. It's not overly complex and has a short finish, but it's quite enjoyable when drunk neat.

Nose: Similar to a light, non-peated Islay, with ethyl alcohol and a hint of coconut. Palate: Silky, dry, with vanilla and a coconut note. Finish: Slight spice, oaky, and a bit of fruitiness.

Allow to breathe for a few minutes. The aroma has notes of vanilla, sweetness, and a hint of banana. The taste includes vanilla, candy/caramel, and decent heat/spice, fading relatively quickly.