Lucky Seven The Frenchman

Batch #02. This was a hit at a blind tasting, so I'm eager to try my own bottle. It has a copper penny color with minimal legs, but the pleasant hue suggests positive influence from the French oak. The nose is quite oaky, yet not unpleasantly so, with hints of cherry, brown sugar, and peppery spices. It seems well-suited for a cold winter evening, despite the current rainy and cool June weather. The flavor is robust and warming, truly a 'warmer.' Initially, it seems more sugary than spicy, but deeper exploration reveals ample brown sugar and pie-like sweetness, more cherry, and a touch of almond on the finish. The oak is present, and it tastes aged, although I suspect it's youthful given the NAS designation. The finish is long, and this drinks every bit of its 113 proof. Adding a touch of water sweetens and softens the nose and also gently mellows the palate. I genuinely enjoy this whiskey; it's impressive how it delivers such full flavor while being a whiskey that would pair wonderfully with a cigar, despite likely being less than 5 years old. Well done.

Batch 3 - Smell: A waffle topped with butter and syrup comes to mind, along with a hint of oak. Amazing. Taste: Initially sweet, it quickly shifts to white pepper and oak. Aftertaste: A drying sensation, with the pepper gradually disappearing, followed by the oak. Lasts a moderate to long time. The impression of the french oak barrel finish is clear on the taste and aftertaste.

The nose presents abundant vanilla and spice. I enjoyed this with a cigar from a specific brand. A very pleasant smoke and pour.

Smell: sweet, vanilla, wood Taste: warming, caramel, vanilla, wood Aftertaste: a slight nip/spice

113 proof, with notes of chocolate, a sweet and dry nuttiness, a touch of white pepper, coffee, and a dry, sweet conclusion.

This suits my taste perfectly and is one of my new favorite go-to bottles. It's an extremely good pour. 👌🏻