Sterling Hammonds
4.3
My initial encounters with bourbon were rough, largely due to Maker's Mark, which I'd steer clear of. It felt like a punch to the palate and soured me on bourbon entirely. However, that's changed. Tasting this one blind against Jack Daniel's Single Barrel, Barrel Proof was a pleasant shock; they were like opposites. The aroma offered immediate sugar, vanilla, and black pepper. The taste brought vanilla, maple, and baked spices. Adding water shifted the aroma from pepper to banana, interestingly reducing the spice and enhancing the maple syrup. The palate then tasted like banana pancakes with syrup – quite delightful! I was happy to find it on sale for $59, originally listed at $81.
