NBC Single Barrel (Roc Elite 5019)

The aroma is lively, sweet, and smooth, presenting earthy rice, bananas, vanilla ice cream, burnt wood, leather, and a hint of flowers right away. From the start, it reminds me of Barton. I could be mistaken, but the banana notes really stand out as characteristic of them in Kentucky. The taste is intense, dry, and thick, flooding the mouth with a banana split topped with cinnamon. There are clearly sweet and strong sensations, but it really grabs your attention on the first taste. Subsequent sips deepen the blend of cinnamon and banana, as smooth oak appears to hold everything together. A subtle dryness acts as a bridge between the main tastes. This is quite flavorful and intriguing, and I'm confident in my initial assessment of Barton. The finish is lengthy and a bit dry, leaving abundant amounts of cinnamon, banana, and oak in the mouth. Not much evolves from the first taste; it all stays wonderfully combined and lingers just long enough to ponder. The author's identity is omitted.