Mad River Bourbon

Nose -- smells like the interior of a woodworking shop, with freshly cut wood and a scent reminiscent of varnish. Not much else to mention, but with the one-year age statement, I expect it will smell and taste as immature as it seems. Taste -- begins pleasantly enough, with a hint of vanilla/brown sugar, but this quickly fades into that distinct freshly cut wood note and a sharp, unpleasant astringency. I believe this could be improved with some age and time, but in this one-year-old batch, it's best avoided, especially considering the price.

The aroma offers charred wood and a clear harshness. Beyond that, the spirit is herbal and grainy, though hints of creamy vanilla are present. The taste floods the mouth with harshness, which defines this spirit from start to finish. The herbal and grainy notes are perceptible too, but no original tastes emerge. The conclusion is brief and harsh, and generally it is mostly disagreeable to consume.

Decent aroma, sweet, nutty with a hint of acetone. Definitely has considerable heat and spice. Not worth sipping but makes a decent cocktail. I always visit the Mad River bar when I'm in Vermont for a drink; this is essentially what I purchase this for.

This smells exactly like the oatmeal bath you took as a child when you had chicken pox, i.e., OATS. The oats are also prominent on the palate, with some spice and other grain notes. If you eat oatmeal for breakfast daily, you might find this quite appealing.

It begins with a grainy flavor. You certainly detect a hint of citrus, most likely from the corn mash. The flavor becomes sweeter, offering notes of vanilla, brown sugar, and honey. It concludes with a slight harshness.

Enjoyable neat and also shines in a Manhattan. Presents a commendable complexity. I believe this deserves more recognition, though individual preferences vary.