Rare Character Single Barrel Series Straight Bourbon (Liquor Junction & Mass Bourbon Alliance)

Bourbon tasting. Characteristics: Aged six years, sherry cask finishing, bottled at full proof, from barrel OLS-B-04. Consumed after an initial tasting. Visuals (no score): Deep brown hue. When swirled, it leaves a viscous coating on the glass, with very slow-forming legs. Scent: 18/20 An appealing and lively aroma profile. Notes of vanilla, sticky dried fruit, honey, citrus, nuts, and well-used leather are present. It displays many traditional bourbon scents alongside a diverse fruit medley from the sherry finish. Taste: 35/40 Possesses an exceptionally smooth, almost velvety consistency, differing significantly from many bourbons previously sampled. Dried fruit and figs are the most prominent, complemented by smooth vanilla and a hint of nearly scorched caramel. A subtle touch of dry woody tannins and cinnamon appear at the conclusion, accompanied by a brief warmth in the back of the throat. Aftertaste: 33/40 A medium to long finish. The warmth at the end of the palate transitions into continued woody spice, tobacco, and some leather upon initial impression. The tobacco note is particularly intriguing, reminiscent of an extinguished cigar, offering a muted smokiness rather than intense heat. The spirit becomes quite dry at this stage, with all prior sweetness vanished. These flavors persist, gradually shifting towards a slightly saltier, nuttier profile before concluding with an unexpected earthy and somewhat herbal wintergreen note. With Dilution: Adding a few drops of water introduces notes of baker's chocolate and ripe banana to the scent. A touch of honey emerges at the start of the finish, helping to temper the otherwise very dry initial taste. Overall Score: 86/100 Concluding remarks: This drink's progression through sweet, dry, and savory notes is highly enjoyable. While the distillery is unspecified, originating from Indiana, it prompts a desire for more inventive cask finishing by bourbon producers and independent bottlers. This serves as an excellent illustration of how alternative cask maturation can reveal greater complexity in a spirit, moving beyond the confines of standard charred virgin oak aging. Cost: $89 Recommendation: yes Purchase intent: yes Scoring Guide: 96-100: An outstanding spirit, truly exceptional, divine, will be cherished and consumed sparingly, 5 stars. 90-95: Nearly perfect, remarkably special, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to excellent, nearly flawless, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, enjoyable but not outstanding, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but flawed, not a repurchase, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid choice, but not a must-have, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Best suited for cooking or disposal, 2.5 stars or less.