MB Roland Single Barrel KY Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Barrel B01C18.15 at 110.6% proof. The aroma needs about 5 to 10 minutes to develop and allow the ethanol to dissipate. Notes include toffee, tobacco, sulfur, corn husk, oak, mint, cinnamon, and molasses. It's very distinct from typical mass-produced KY bourbon. With sufficient resting, it transforms into butterscotch. The texture is thick due to being unfiltered. The flavors have some scotch characteristics for me. There's a lot of earthiness, savory bacon bits, maple syrup, sweet corn, root beer, and diet Dr. Pepper. It's quite unusual but offers a pleasant change of pace. The finish is moderately long for a craft bourbon, with notes of leather, tobacco, oak, earth, and cinnamon. Finally, there's a slight warmth and vanilla before it fades. I've sampled several from this producer, and they all require time to open up. For the first few pours, I'd suggest adding ice or making a cocktail, given the rye presence in the mash bill. Then, after a few weeks, pour a couple of ounces and let it rest for 5 minutes before sipping. Enjoy!

From a group purchase, I heard good things about MB Roland and that it tastes like Dr Pepper. First, the smell is quite distinctive and somewhat earthy. There is oak and a hint of brown sugar in the aroma. The flavor is earthy and syrupy with clear caramel undertones. The finish is a bit muted. Clearly different from the typical bourbons available. However, this left me a little let down.

This one is... unusual. A deep, complex aroma with perhaps some butterscotch. Cherry-like. It drinks very similarly to how it smells, almost like cola with some dark vanilla that lingers briefly. It's certainly not a typical bourbon profile, but it's very accessible and a pleasant change.