Old Fourth Distillery Cask Strength

From Gary's Liquors, a cask strength offering. The label indicates this is a 10-year MGP product. Tasting conducted in a Glen Cairn glass, both neat and with water added. Smell- Predominantly vanilla and candy corn. The aroma isn't overpowering, but it's enjoyable and typical of MGP. A persistent mint suggests a significant rye presence in the grain recipe. Taste- Initial sensations of oak and banana give way to spicier, mintier elements. The texture is smooth and rich, yet not overly heavy. Butterscotch notes appear toward the end, accompanied by a slight warmth. Adding a few drops of water smooths out the sharper characteristics. I also detect notes of freshly baked bread. A truly well-considered choice. Aftertaste- A spicier finish with rye characteristics. It provides a warming sensation from the bottom up, followed by some oak. It's acceptable, but this is my least preferred aspect. Conclusion- I was expecting the excellent MGP quality found in previous selections from a certain brand that used to be available. This falls a bit short due to the aftertaste and excessive warmth. However, Gary's Liquors selected a barrel that is quite good for its cost. 84/100

Rating: 14/23 Filed a patent application, so I believe a bottle opening is justified. I've been curious about this one for a while, so here goes. Nose: Abundant minerality with mild sweetness bringing corn notes and hints of tangerine. A nice dustiness also comes off the corn. Palate: Mmm, nice sweetness here! The corn sweetness comes through. The mouthfeel is moderate, lighter than I'd anticipate at this proof. Pleasant vanilla that almost becomes too sweet. Mild tangerine as well. Then comes the burn. It's not harsh, but it certainly does burn. It's a bit peppery, but not in a particularly flavorful way. Finish: Less sweet than the palate, but similar in style. Significantly more minerality here. - Conclusion - This is quite decent, but not outstanding. My initial impression is a rating around 14. It could possibly be a 15. I've considered this one for some time, and I'm leaning towards a 14. It simply doesn't have enough going on to warrant a 15.

Nose: Sweet corn, caramel, nutty pecan, with a hint of alcohol. Palate: The alcohol is a little overpowering, indicating it's a young, high-proof spirit. Flavors of green banana, vanilla, and a pecan cluster are present. It's not terrible, but could improve with age. It hits the palate too intensely. Finish: Young oak, reminiscent of a woodworking shop. Overall: This didn't meet my expectations. I enjoyed the bottled-in-bond version and was looking for something richer, but instead, I just experienced more alcohol burn. It's not a complete miss, but it's intense and tastes immature. I favor the earlier bottled-in-bond releases. Adding water didn't help; it needs more time.

Considering the alcohol content, this drink is not very strong or spicy. I dislike the flavor. It's very oily, which is usually a positive, but it just doesn't work for me here.

Distillery release only is what a friend told me that shared this. It was well executed